How to Show Up in a Discovery Call: A Pre-Call Research Guide for Beginners
Okay, story time, Bosses!
We recently sent an applicant to have an interview call with a prospect client.
She’s skilled and she has an idea about the job.
But it was an urgent hiring process, so she didn’t have enough time to fully prepare before hopping on the call.
And it got me thinking: “How can our freelancers (and honestly, anyone in the Boss Up Fam) prep fast but with depth for any client call?”
So yes, I’m sharing 3 prompts that you can use on your next interview, Bosses! Feel free to copy, paste, and customize it based on the position you’re applying for.
1. RESEARCH THE COMPANY
Before anything else, you need to understand who you’re about to talk to.
Not just the client’s name, but also their business struggles, the company’s core and how you can help them.
This prompt can give you all of that based on their website link and job post alone:
Action: Analyze
Role: You are a senior business analyst and hiring manager with experience evaluating freelancers.
Task: Research and analyze the company and the job post to help me prepare for an upcoming freelance interview.
Context & Audience: I am a freelancer preparing for a discovery or interview call with this potential client.
Company Website: [INSERT COMPANY WEBSITE LINK]
Job Post: [INSERT JOB POST LINK OR TEXT]
Format:
Provide your analysis in the following sections:
1. Company overview: what they do, who they serve, and how they likely make money
2. Target market: who their customers are and what those customers care about
3. What the company likely needs right now: based on their site and the job post
4. Hidden expectations in the job post: what they didn’t say directly but clearly want
5. How can I position myself as a strong fit: specific points, strengths, or experiences I should highlight in the interview
Tone: Clear, practical, and written for a freelancer preparing to speak directly with a client.
2. DISCOVERY CALL PREPARATION
You should know that discovery calls in freelancing aren’t exactly like the usual corporate interviews.
You’re not just there to answer questions. You’re there to ask questions as well.
This way, clients can feel that you know what you’re doing, and you’ll feel less anxious because you already have an idea of what to ask and what the client might ask.
This prompt helps you generate questions so you can hop on the conversation with confidence, Bosses.
Action: Simulate and generate
Role: You are a client who hires freelancers and runs structured discovery calls.
Task: Based on the job post and company information, generate:
1) the questions the client is most likely to ask me
2) strategic questions I should ask the client during the call
Context & Audience: I am a freelancer preparing for a discovery or interview call and want to sound prepared, professional, and consultative.
Company Website: [INSERT COMPANY WEBSITE LINK]
Job Post: [INSERT JOB POST LINK OR TEXT]
Format:
Section 1: Client questions (grouped into experience, process, communication, and problem-solving)
Section 2: Questions I should ask the client (grouped into goals, current challenges, workflow, and success metrics)
Tone: Realistic, practical, and aligned with how real client calls are conducted.
3. ALIGNED POSITIONING
We call this “mirror positioning”, Bosses. When we use terms the client can relate to, it reassures them that we understand their business and can take good care of it with our service.
This prompt asks AI to reframe your statement in your prospect client’s industry language.
Action: Reframe
Role: You are a strategist who helps candidates align their experience with client needs.
Task: Analyze my background and rewrite my positioning so it mirrors the client’s priorities, language, and business goals.
Context & Audience: I will use this positioning during a live interview or discovery call.
My Background / Experience: [INSERT YOUR PORTFOLIO, SKILLS, OR SUMMARY]
Company Website: [INSERT COMPANY WEBSITE LINK]
Job Post: [INSERT JOB POST LINK OR TEXT]
Format:
1. Short positioning statement (2 to 3 sentences I can say)
2. Key talking points I should emphasize
3. Specific past experiences or results I should mention as proof
Tone: Confident, natural, and tailored to the client (not generic or scripted)
So with these 3 prompts, you can easily get data about the client and how you can show up in the call.
PRO-TIP, BOSSES:
Practice this every time you see a job post online.
Yup, even if you’re not planning to apply.
WHY? Because it helps you get familiar with the process.
So, when it’s finally your turn to apply and hop on calls, you already know the flow.
It won’t feel unfamiliar and overwhelming anymore.
Sooo, by then, it’ll be much easier to review all the details AI gives you as you do this 3-phase pre-call research.
And who knows? After practicing this on multiple job posts, you might naturally start getting ideas on what to ask and how to answer confidently during real calls.
I read this somewhere, and it’s so nice, so I’m gonna share this with you, Bosses!
“The best freelancers don’t just show up. They show up prepared.”
If you want, you can write this on your notepad and stick it to your work area.
So, yup! Always prepare, Boss Up Fam!