Freelancing tips
Dos and don'ts on how to behave
With every new assignment potentially unknown challenges await external professionals. Not all clients are the same, each team reacts differently to a new external specialist.
- Ensure that your service as an external professional is clearly defined. All the involved parties need to know in detail about your responsibilities and competencies to make the collaboration a success.
- If you are contacted for a project abroad, get information about possible cultural differences.
- If you are brought in to improve or modernise an existing project, do not voice harsh criticism. The colleagues who were responsible for the project in the past may be present.
- Always take notes when talking to your client. These notes may include not just essentials about your assignments but also key points about the company, its culture and its communications.
- Listen actively and mentally assume different positions to better be able to question decisions and structures. Do not form your opinion until you have all the necessary information. Your client will realise that you have a firm point of view and that they can trust your judgement.
- Periodically reflect on: The role you have Where and how you interface with the team Where additional technical consultation is necessary What you can do to leverage your experience even more Do not hesitate to ask some of these questions directly to your client. It shows: You act in a deliberate and structured way.
- There may be project-related interfaces where you come into contact and communicate with people from your team. Follow the usual business etiquette, be polite and loyal without becoming too intimate.
- Show your dependability during all stages of the project: Be promptly available for your customers and show interest in driving the project. At the same time, it is important to realise where you need to draw the line and pull away from operational processes. In this context, speak openly about your expectations and those of your client.
- There may be situations where collaboration with the client is difficult or not possible because of various differences. In such a case, use open communication and constructive feedback.
✓ Be polite at all times.
✓ Maintain a friendly, solution-oriented way of communicating.
✓ Be well prepared and ask questions generating new drivers for the project.
✓ Researching is key: find out detailed information about the company.
✓ Accurately calculate your hourly rate beforehand (considering industry-specific
differences).
✗ If a project is already ongoing, do not start by pointing out mistakes.
✗ Avoid any direct criticism.
✗ Do not get pushed into a role but actively help shape it.
✗ Do not get pushed into joining ongoing processes right from the start at full capacity.
✗ Voice your expectations clearly and ensure you are properly onboarded.
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