SPECIAL REPORT
You have to shake things up on your CV and portfolio to land the freelance assignments you want. This report reveals how to future-proof your CV and portfolio, master interview techniques, and confidently transition into your dream freelance career.
Is your CV and portfolio updated for the jobs you want or the ones you’ve already had? That may sound like a trick question, but If you’re yearning to break into a new industry like tech or health, or work in a new area of the creative sector, for example, the key is to strategically reposition yourself.
One of the ways to get you on the right trajectory is to revise your CV and portfolio to highlight transferable skills, experiences and aspirations that align with your desired career path. Here we provide a step-by-step process to help you make the transition.
Spell it out: recruiters and AI platforms are not mind readers
If people and AI recruitment platforms don’t see those skills and aspirations in black and white, then you’re expecting people and a language model – neither of which know you from Adam – to have a say in your next big project or career break. If you want to break in an industry, transfer for example project management skills to a new industry or client, then make it known on your CV and on social media among those who have contacts in those areas.
Revamping your CV and portfolio
Identify transferable and dream job skills: Every industry will value certain core skills. Start by looking at the job descriptions of your dream jobs or roles. Now, analyse your past projects and identify skills that are relevant to your new target industry or freelancer role. These could be communication, project management, problem-solving, creativity, or technical skills.
Reframe your experience: Don’t just list your past projects; describe them in a way that emphasises the skills and outcomes relevant to your desired role. For example, if you’re transitioning from writing website copy to grant writing, highlight your ability to craft persuasive and compelling narratives, conduct research, and meet deadlines.
Tailor your portfolio: Select projects that showcase the skills you want to emphasise. If you lack direct experience in the new industry, consider taking on pro bono work or personal projects to build a relevant portfolio. There is nothing stopping you from revealing what you have learned on this pro bono journey by sharing your professional insights in posts on social media, again with people who can relate or have hiring power. Create an interesting conversation starter that aligns your values, and the pro bono work you are carrying out.
Craft a compelling narrative: Use your CV and portfolio to tell a story about your career evolution. Explain how you have transitioned so far with skill sets, industries and projects, then reveal your newfound motivations for transitioning. Explain how you want to use those skills and experience to help clients in your new area of interest to meet their objectives. Show with examples, don’t just tell. What attracts you to the industry? What are your personal and career motivations?
Keywords are necessary: Research industry-specific keywords and incorporate them throughout your CV and portfolio. This will help you get noticed by recruiters and potential clients, especially those using AI-based recruitment software to pre-select candidates. Use AI as a tool and time saver. For instance, you can use research AI platforms such as Chat GPT or Gemini to help you extract keywords based on job descriptions of similar roles you would like to apply for. Once you have these keywords you can pepper through your CV.
Write exactly what you want it to do in the AI platform’s prompt. Look at the different draft responses. If you don’t like what you see, tweak the request until you do. Just make sure you edit your CV so it sounds like you! Simple, to-the-point language with keywords is usually best. Again, back up any statement with an example.
Acing the client meetings and interviews
Now that your CV and portfolio are future-focused, it’s time to prepare for that all-important client meeting should you pique some interest. Here are some things to consider:
Research, research, research (it reveals more than you think): This is an obvious step, but do not leave this for the last minute. This step also reveals a lot about yourself.
This step is to thoroughly get a grip on the client, their industry, and their specific needs. Check out their press releases and social media feeds. This can often reveal their tone of voice and any big changes for the company in the next 6 to 12 months.
Can’t get yourself motivated to do the research? That’s likely a big red flag to yourself that may be this isn’t the company or industry for you. If you love learning more about a company or industry, then that’s your sign you are not wasting your time or headed down the wrong path.
If you are applying to more than one company, then create company Top Trump cards. Note key facts about the company and the competition. Facts you can quickly recall in an interview. This will demonstrate your genuine interest to the interviewer and allow you to tailor your pitch and interview responses based on where you feel you could help.
Confidence and curiosity can be contagious: Project confidence in your abilities, even if you’re new to the industry. Emphasise your transferable skills and your innate curiosity in this area to bring about more solutions for clients. Provide examples of how you could help, and how you have helped other clients (think of it as storytelling) but equally ask questions about their needs right now what they want to accomplish for the next two to three quarters.
Focus on value: Clearly articulate the value you bring to the table based on your previous experience and projects. Explain how you would like to share your skills and experience and how you could help the client achieve their goals. The sooner you know about their company culture and the areas that they have fewer resources (or pain points) the better you can provide examples of how you can add value to the company or project.
Be prepared to discuss your transition: Be upfront about your career transition and explain why you’re passionate about this new industry. Really think about this to form a watertight response. Give examples, ones that are aligned with the company’s targets. Give examples of how you might have transitioned before and why it was such a rewarding experience. This demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to your new path and the company you are interviewing with.
Ask insightful questions at different stages of the process
Asking thoughtful questions shows that you’re engaged and interested in the client’s needs. It highlights how you can help them make their job easier. It also allows you to gather information that can help you tailor your freelance services.
Consider trying out some of the questions below with your recruiter if you are using one. It’s a great way to get a feel of the company you are interviewing for, especially if the recruiter has handled this client before.
“Did you get any feedback from other placements?”
“What did the hiring manager really like or dislike about previous candidates?”
“What is the company really good at and which areas should I be aware of that need perhaps some improvement?”
Questions to help seal the deal in that client interview
“What are the main goals for this project? Are they slightly different to the ones in the past?”
This question gets to the heart of the project’s purpose and how it fits into the company’s objectives. For example, you may find they are trying to under cut the competition and have a smaller budget to work with. Or they are offering a new service that your match your skills and experience.
“Is there anything else happening at the company or another team that should be aligned with the project?”
This subtly can help you learn about potential influences or challenges without getting too complex.
“How will we know if this project is successful?”
This directly addresses the desired outcomes and how they will be measured. It will also help you prioritise tasks and objectives should you get the assignment.
“Are there any areas where your team needs additional support?”
This expresses your willingness to contribute beyond the initial project scope.
“What’s important to the company in how someone works and communicates with your team even remotely? For example, which communication platforms do you use to communicate internally and with customers or clients?”
Understanding a company’s values is crucial for both social and technical integration. This might involve familiarising yourself with new software. If asked about a programme you haven’t used, be honest about your willingness to learn. Express enthusiasm and ask what they appreciate about it. This demonstrates your adaptability and proactive approach to aligning with their workflows.
Interview questions you should prepare for
As much as it can be cringing to come up with examples of your faults, it has to be done. Be honest with yourself. Reflect on triggers, such as situations that cause you discomfort or stress – these often highlight areas for improvement.
For instance, freelancers often develop a strong sense of independence. While this is valuable, it can sometimes lead to overextending oneself or neglecting to seek input from others. Acknowledge this tendency and demonstrate a willingness to collaborate.
Instead of simply stating this, provide a concrete example. Describe a past project where you took on too much, and explain how delegating tasks or soliciting feedback could have improved the outcome. If you have already learned from your mistake then make that known and show a recent example of how you collaborated and asked for more input and what the outcome was. This demonstrates a capacity for self-critique and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Age is a hidden bias so prepare for it
It’s unfortunate, but age can sometimes be a factor in hiring decisions, even if it’s unspoken. If you’re over 50 or under 30, the interviewer might subtly try to gauge your comfort level working with people from different generations. Be prepared to share examples of your experience collaborating effectively with colleagues of all ages, demonstrating your adaptability and openness to diverse perspectives.
Getting intel on company culture
You can feed into your interview that you appreciate to work in an environment where ideas and suggestions are welcome and can be shared without being judged or dismissed. That could spark a conversation about the company culture and depending on the response whether this is a company you want to work for (despite all the research you’ve done).
With remote and flexible work becoming increasingly common, be prepared to discuss your experience and preferences. If the company offers such options, express your appreciation and inquire about their specific approaches, including how they support remote and flexible work for both employees and contractors. Be ready to share examples of your own successful remote work experiences and the benefits they provided to previous clients.
Have the right mindset when transitioning industries or roles
Making a deliberate career shift means you’ve already overcome a major hurdle. Now, focus on building resilience, conducting thorough research, and strengthening your CV or portfolio. Set daily goals that actively contribute to these areas. Even small steps, like pitching for pro bono work (regardless of the response), build resilience and demonstrate initiative.
Career transitions are journeys. Embrace the process, learn from every experience, and use this time for self-discovery.