How to Answer Questions in a Freelance Job Interview

So, you’ve applied for a freelance job, and the client finally responds. They want to interview you!

Excitement dey, but small fear don enter.

What will they ask? How should you answer? What if you say the wrong thing?

Relax, my friend. Freelance job interviews are not like Nigerian government job interviews. Nobody is going to ask you, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Instead, freelance clients just want to be sure you can do the job, communicate well, and deliver on time.

In this post, I’ll show you common freelance interview questions and how to answer them with confidence—Nigerian-style! 🇳🇬

1. Tell Me About Yourself

This is the first question many clients ask, and it’s not for you to recite your full life history. Keep it short and relevant.

Wrong Answer:

“My name is Chinedu, I am 27 years old. I studied Economics at UNILAG. I live in Lagos with my two brothers and… bla bla bla.”

Right Answer:

“I’m a freelance graphic designer with 2 years of experience creating social media designs and branding for businesses. I’ve worked with Nigerian startups like [mention name if possible] and helped them create eye-catching designs that boosted their online engagement. I specialize in Canva and Photoshop, and I love helping brands stand out with creative visuals.”

Pro Tip: Mention your skill, years of experience (even if it’s just 6 months!), the type of clients you’ve worked with, and the tools you use.

2. What Experience Do You Have with This Type of Work?

If you have worked on similar projects before, talk about them. But what if you have no experience? No wahala! Just talk about personal projects or sample work.

No Experience? Say This:

“I haven’t worked on an official project like this yet, but I have created similar work for personal projects. For example, I designed a logo for my friend’s business, and I also created Instagram posts for a small boutique in my area. I’m confident I can deliver exactly what you need.”

Pro Tip: Even if you’ve only done “practice work,” mention it! Clients just want to know that you can do the job.

3. Can You Show Me Some Samples of Your Work?

Your portfolio is your proof. If you don’t have one, quickly create some sample work!

Wrong Answer:

“I don’t have any samples yet, but I promise I can do the job well.” (Omo, this answer fit cost you the job!)

Right Answer:

“Sure! Here are some designs/articles/websites I’ve worked on: [Insert link]. Let me know what you think.”

Pro Tip: If you have no samples, create a few before applying for jobs. Even fake projects count as portfolio work!

4. What is Your Rate/How Much Do You Charge?

This is where many Nigerians start sweating. You don’t want to charge too low and cheat yourself, but you also don’t want to charge too high and scare the client away.

Wrong Answer:

“I don’t know, you can pay whatever you like.” (This makes you look unprofessional.)

Right Answer:

“For this type of project, my rate is $XX per hour / $XX per project. However, I’m happy to discuss a budget that works for both of us.”

Pro Tip: Always have a price in mind before the interview! Research what others in your field charge and be flexible (especially as a beginner).

5. How Long Will It Take You to Complete This Project?

Clients want to know if you can meet deadlines. Be honest and don’t overpromise!

Wrong Answer:

“I can do it in 24 hours.” (When you know you’ll need 3 days!)

Right Answer:

“This type of project usually takes me about 3–5 days to complete. But if you have a specific deadline, I can adjust my schedule to meet it.”

Pro Tip: Give a realistic deadline and add extra time to avoid last-minute pressure.

6. Do You Have Any Questions for Me?

Always say YES to this! Asking smart questions makes you look professional and serious about the job.

Good Questions to Ask:

“What’s your preferred communication method—email, WhatsApp, or Zoom?”
“What’s the deadline for this project?”
“Do you have any samples or references of what you’re looking for?”

Pro Tip: Clients love freelancers who ask questions because it shows you care about delivering quality work.

7. Can You Work in My Time Zone?

Many Nigerian freelancers work with international clients in different time zones (e.g., USA, UK, Canada). Clients want to know if time differences will be a problem.

Good Answer:

“Yes, I’m flexible and can adjust my schedule to match your time zone. I’m available for meetings between [insert preferred hours].”

Pro Tip: You don’t need to be online 24/7—just agree on specific hours that work for both of you.

8. How Do You Handle Revisions or Edits?

Clients want to know if you’ll fix issues if they’re not satisfied.

Good Answer:

“I offer [mention number] free revisions to make sure you’re happy with the final result. If more changes are needed, we can discuss an additional fee.”

Pro Tip: Always have a revision policy so clients don’t take advantage of you with endless corrections!

Final Tips to Ace Your Freelance Interview

Be confident – Even if you’re nervous, speak clearly and believe in yourself!
Speak good English – You don’t need big grammar, just be clear and professional.
Smile and be polite – Clients love friendly freelancers!
Have good internet – Nobody likes network wahala during a video call. If necessary, use a quiet place with stable Wi-Fi.
Follow up after the interview – Send a short message: “Thank you for your time today! I’m excited about the project and look forward to working with you.”