As a freelancer, you won't have a fixed salary or a boss tracking your daily hours. How will you maintain discipline and stay motivated when facing rejection or slow months?
RoleSales Representative
DifficultyEasy
TopicBehavioral
Asked at
Why This Is Asked
The contracting phase formalizes an independent contractor setup, not employment; Sun Life evaluates if you can self-manage because they don't provide daily oversight, and high attrition comes from those who can't handle the freedom.
General Approach
Share a past experience of self-management, then explain your specific plan for this role: setting daily activity targets, using a CRM, joining advisor support groups, and keeping a financial reserve for the startup phase.
General Answer
Start by grounding your answer in a real, personal system rather than a promise of willpower. Describe a specific time you built structure for yourself, like a study schedule or a side project you finished without anyone checking on you, and name the exact tools or habits you used, such as a daily checklist or a fixed start time. Then move into your plan for this role, and be practical about it. Say plainly that you will treat the work like a small business, setting a non-negotiable number of client calls or meetings each day, logging everything in a CRM, and reviewing your numbers weekly to catch problems early. Acknowledge the reality of slow months and rejection by explaining that you will prepare for them financially, setting aside a buffer for the first few months, and emotionally, by leaning on the advisor support groups and your own routine. In the Philippine context, you can mention that you understand the contracting setup is governed by DOLE rules for independent contractors, so you are not expecting employee benefits, and that you will track your own productivity the way a BPO agent tracks their metrics, with clear targets and honest self-review. Keep your tone composed and confident, showing that discipline for you is not a feeling but a set of repeatable actions you have already tested.
PH Interview Gotcha
Candidates often say "Disiplinado naman po ako" (I'm disciplined) without evidence. Instead, give a concrete example of a time you managed your own schedule or motivation, like sticking to a study plan or fitness regimen despite distractions.
Sample STAR Answer▾
S
Situation
During college, I worked part-time as a freelance graphic designer while carrying a full course load. There were months when I had zero new projects and felt anxious about my income.
T
Task
I needed to sustain my productivity and income despite the unpredictability, without anyone supervising my schedule.
A
Action
I set a daily routine: wake at 6 AM, spend mornings on prospecting emails and portfolio updates, afternoons on coursework, and evenings on current projects. I joined online freelancing communities for accountability and tips. When rejections came, I tracked them and asked for feedback, then improved my proposals. I also saved a portion of each payment to cover lean periods, giving me a financial buffer.
R
Result
My monthly income eventually stabilized, I built a repeat client base, and I graduated with honors because my routine kept me balanced. That experience prepared me for the self-driven nature of an advisory practice.
Key Takeaway
Structure and financial planning are essential when you lack external accountability.
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