Contract roles can feel like the perfect job setup: flexible hours, work-from-home perks, and a way to break into your dream company. For some, they also serve as a temporary solution until a more permanent position comes along.

Yet sometimes when freelancers decide to transition to a full-time gig, their contract history can potentially come back to bite them—even when it shouldn’t.

In a job interview, employers might ask: Can you work effectively on a team? Can you take direction from a manager? Will you think about your work long term?

Or they might not ask at all, but they’ll still wonder.

To be clear: Freelancing or contract work is work, of course. But if full-time employment is your goal, knowing how to address these concerns does matter in a job interview.

Don’t assume

First, in a job interview—no matter which side of the table you’re sitting on—it’s essential not to make assumptions.

“It’s important for hiring managers to be aware of assumptions they might have. Instead of assuming, ask very direct questions,” says Phoebe Gavin, a career and leadership coach. Don’t just assume they can’t work a 9-to-5, or that they’re not willing to commit to a company long term.

If you’re a job seeker, when applying for roles and in interviews, get ahead of assumptions by addressing them head-on. If the employer is looking for a collaborative team member, share examples of how you’ve worked effectively with others in the past.

The hiring manager “may genuinely not be aware of how collaborative freelance or contract work can be. So for the person who’s being interviewed, don’t make any assumptions about what they know about your work,” Gavin says.

Can you work on a team?

Freelancers often work more independently, but that doesn’t mean you prefer to, or that you work entirely alone. After all, you probably send your work off to someone for review.

If you thrive in a team environment—or even miss being part of a team—say so.

When working as a freelancer, there may have been “times when your work has required working with multiple parties and collaborating with teams. Even if it was temporary for a particular project, make it really clear that that’s something you have experience with,” Gavin says.

Highlight specific examples from past projects where you successfully collaborated with others, showing that you can contribute effectively on a team.

Career coach Patrice Williams Lindo recommends saying something like: “I rebrand quickly into the team’s operating model. That means understanding how decisions get made, who owns what, and where my work fits into the broader system. I don’t operate in silos. I network intentionally across stakeholders so my work lands cleanly, on time, and without creating friction. Independence, for me, means high trust, not high isolation.”

Can you take direction?

When looking for a new job, remember that you’ll most likely have a manager. If you’re thinking, I don’t really need a manager; I can do the work without you managing me, that mindset can create challenges with the person providing direction.

Showing that you can take direction demonstrates adaptability and immediately makes you a stronger candidate.

Williams Lindo suggests saying something like: “I don’t need micromanagement, but I do respect structure, accountability, and feedback. My goal is to deliver in a way that strengthens leadership credibility, not competes with it.”

Can you think beyond the project at hand?

Freelancers usually focus on the work in front of them and don’t always have to think about long-term impact, but in a full-time role, you’re expected to see the bigger picture. If that’s something you do already, make sure you say that.

For example, if you like to promote your work after it’s published, that’s something worth highlighting.

Williams Lindo suggests saying, “Even when my engagement is project-based, my mindset is enterprise-level. I document decisions, build repeatable processes, and leave behind clarity—not just deliverables. I’m always thinking about how my work ladders up to longer-term outcomes, because recognition comes from impact, not just execution.”

Contract roles can help you land a full-time position if you want one.

By addressing assumptions up front and showing that you can collaborate, take direction, and think beyond individual projects, you signal that you’re ready to thrive in a full-time role.

Freelance experience is real work, and it matters. When presented strategically, it can showcase your impact and position you as a strong candidate for permanent opportunities.