Building a virtual workforce can be a game changer for any company.
It is not only cheaper and flexible, but most importantly it lets you tap into a global labor market to address your varying resource and skill needs. Whether it is a complex software development or a simple data entry, you can hire freelance workers to accomplish both small and large projects.
Unlike hiring regular employees, finding a skilled freelancer can be very challenging. You have an abundance of freelancers at your disposal with limited sources to verify their authenticity. Managers face a lot of hurdles and have many doubts while interviewing a freelancer that they do not necessarily face when hiring a regular employee.
Hiring a suitable freelancer involves different set of preparations and ground work based on the required skillset. Here is a rundown on how to successfully land the perfect freelancer for your project.
Where do you find them?
If this is not your first time, you are probably aware of the leaders in the freelance marketplaces, “Upwork, Toptal and 99designs”. These are great resources to find talented freelancers from all over the world at affordable rates. They are mainly hub for the freelancers who are working hard to develop a reputation online and therefore they charge lower service fee.
Hiring a professional this way can definitely save you a few bucks, but if the person is outside your region you may have to overcome quite a few obstacles to get work done perfectly on time. A contractor from outside may also not be available during your work hours, or have language barriers. Apart from that, the skilled professionals on these platforms are constantly being squeezed by lower and lower rates. Some stick it out with decent paying clients while most flee and never return.
So, as a hiring manager, getting right personals isn’t just a matter of signing up on popular platforms like these. You will have to branch out and spread the news that “you are hiring”. Try job portals, Craigslist, local business meet ups, business networking groups, or ask your friends for references. And then only you can collect applications from competitive professionals to analyze and filter the best talent.
How to pick the right one?
When hiring freelancers, you need guarantees, not gambles. Stop the guesswork and hand pick the right person to suit your project, your budget, and your schedule.
If you have the advantage of meeting the freelancer personally or online, it will help you figure out if you can work with this person or not. Ask all the questions related to your work and clarify your doubts. This works out better for both the parties. For example, when hiring a website designer, never forget to ask questions about the website builder softwares. Most freelancers use software like squarespace , weebly and wix to complete their designing projects. If you want a fully customized website with proprietary coding, you must find an individual who is experienced in coding from base. Analyze the commitment level and confidence of the individual. If you do not get along, it would not make sense to work together for 6 months or even a month.
Finally, shortlist the candidates on basis of their confidence, attitude, portfolio, recommendations and skills. Filter down the list to all the persons you find close to perfect. Give them a relatively small job to test their skills. Plan a small project (possibly the most difficult part of your assignment) and give them that first. It is something like an insurance policy that you are not wasting time. But, keep in mind that you will have to pay for the time invested by the freelancers to manage your project (even the trial). So, be sure that the project is not very complex but it does test their skills.
You are almost there
It is impossible for anyone to recommend the full proof plan for hiring a freelance professional. Your needs are unique and so would be your experiences through the process. You will have to try it for yourself to learn the rest.
