EU GDPR and data processor

1. it better if a company contracts to me as a person, me as a contractor, or my company if passing me data? I want to offer interview coaching to job applicants for free, and only ask that they donate to charity in return.

It would not make a difference in terms of data protection legislation such as the GDPR, either way, you as a sole trader or a company would be acting as a data processor. However, companies would rather contract other companies because companies usually have better guarantees than individuals.

2.  The recruitment firm I'm talking to is hesitant because of GDPR. How can I best allay their concerns?

I would explain to them that the requirements of art. 28 of the GDPR applies the same and a Data Processing Agreement between you and the company will regulate the processing of candidate data.

If you want to find out more about the EU GDPR check out this EU GDPR Foundations Course (https://advisera.com/training/eu-gdpr-foundations-course//).