Interviewing and Scoping Projects

Interviewing and scoping projects are key steps to starting a job on Upwork. By taking the time to learn more at the beginning of a project, you can work to ensure a good outcome and prevent problems from coming up later.

Important Interview Questions

An interview doesn’t have to be long or complicated. It’s a chance to get to know a freelancer, learn about a project, and set goals and expectations. Take the time to discuss the project in detail, and make sure everyone clearly understands what will be done and when.

Consider asking these questions:

• What is your timezone, and what hours are you available?
• How will each step of the project be done and delivered?
• What resources will you need?
• What information will you have to have to get started?
• Who will lead the project from the agency’s side? (If you are working with an agency instead of an individual freelancer.)

Help your freelancer understand the project scope by being prepared to answer these questions:

• What are your goals for the project?
• How does the project support your business? Is it part of something bigger?
• Who will lead the project from the client’s side?
• What needs to be done, and when?

You can learn details about a freelancer’s work history, past feedback, and specific skills. It’s a direct, straightforward way to understand their fit for a job.

Freelancers can learn more about you too and decide if your job is a good fit for them and includes work they want to do.

Project Scoping

Project scoping is an important part of an interview. Your job posts may not have all the details, and this is a time to discuss the full scope of a project.

Remember to be clear about project needs from start to finish. This is a chance to walk through project details and understand more about each part, such as:

• Reviewing project plans
• Looking at code
• Discussing topic details and storylines
• Identifying project milestones and deliverable parts
• Defining goals and desired results

Project scoping can be very different for different types of work. It usually involves sharing specific information about a project, a business, or a freelancer’s skills. Learn more about sharing information on Upwork here.

Timing and expectations

Good communication helps everyone understand what they need to do. Interviews are a good opportunity to set clear expectations about a project by asking questions such as:

• How long will it take?
• What will it look like? How will it be formatted, and how will it be delivered?
• Will you need reviews and edits?
• When and how will you stay in touch and discuss progress?
• Are there possible delays? Why? What are they?

You will also need to provide your freelancer with answers to these questions:

• What is the project schedule? When will work start?
• When does the project need to be finished?

Safety and security

Upwork provides an opportunity to find the best talent for the right job to get things done.

In our global marketplace, you will probably end up working with someone you don’t know. As with anyone you’ve just met, be cautious about sharing your personal or confidential information by following these best practices:

• Be careful when providing access to anything sensitive. Use limited permissions when possible.
• Be clear about what information will be shared, both before and after a contract has started.
• If someone asks for information that isn’t needed for your project, don’t share it.
• Never share banking or other financial information with an unknown person.