Finding the right freelancers might seem like an exhausting process. However, with the couple of useful and proven tips from experienced recruiters, you will be able to select the right one without stress.
Since we explained in details in our previous article what the process of hiring a freelancer looks like, it should be easier for you to dive into it and find the freelancer you are looking for. Before you do so, here are some amazing tips to help you in your search.
#1 Be detailed about your expectations
There’s no greater mistake than miscommunicating your expectations about a certain project. Keep in mind that freelancers are professionals in their industry but they also work on multiple project simultaneously. Thus, it’s very important to have clear expectations from the beginning.
Besides being detailed in the scope of the work, you should also make clear all the other requirements for the project (i. e. the rates, the milestones, and delivery time). That way, a freelancer will be more able to respond to the specific requirement, providing you with the quality solution for the project.
#2 Be confident in freelancer’s communication skills
When hiring a freelancer, you might get to work with someone who comes from another country. Most likely, English won’t be their native language. Having that in mind, you should be very clear and very patient when communicating with a freelancer.
If a freelancer is not speaking English well, you might want to hire a translator to help you in communicating with him/her effectivelly. Of course, some projects won’t require extensive knowledge of English, but tasks like writing copy for a website are likely to be awarded to someone with more advanced language skills.
#3 Look for the experience not a degree
When hiring a freelancer, especially online, you need to look after his references, not only his degree. More often than not, a degree in a certain field is not a guarantee of the quality. Therefore, the relevant experience is a crucial parameter when hiring freelancers.
The experience should be tied to the specific task you’re asking to be done. Make sure you ask the freelancer to submit the examples of previous work that will help you determine his/her level of expertese.
When screenining the potential candidates through one of the online platforms for freelancers, look at their reputation, rates, and hiring rates. That will help you determine their status in the online freelancing community.
#4 Be engaged with freelancer during the project
One of the scariest things for most business owners is the lack of the control over the course of a project. This is even more important when working with a freelancer. Since freelancers are usually engaged in multiple projects simultaniously, you need to establish a way to communicate with them effectively during the project.
Some freelancers might keep you updated on a weekly basis, which will make the control more easier for you. However, if not, feel free to ask for a weekly or bi-weekly reports yourself. That way, you’ll always be up-to-date with the project, which will enable a more successful collaboration.
#5 Release the payment as agreed in the contract
When signing the contract with a freelancer, one of the crucial points should be related to the terms of payment. If you’re using one of the many online platforms for freelancers, the payment is regulated by the mediator – the company that provides the services of connecting freelancers with potential clients.
On these platforms, your funds are secured: a freelancer won’t get paid until the work is submitted. However, if you hire a freelancer in the offline world, you must establish a clear payment schedule in order to protect yourself from fraud or disappointment.
Do not agree on paying in advance, unless it is written in the contract. The dynamics of releasing funds can be flexible, i.e. you can pay the freelancer after completing each stage of the project but it must be stated in the contract, too.
#6 Platforms for finding freelancers
Finding freelancers online has never been easier – there are numerous platforms for finding and hiring freelancers from all over the world. The benefits of using apps for finding freelancers online are convenience (you can browse the website and pick candidates by setting different search criteria) and security in regards to the payment.
Among the most popular ones are Upwork and Fiverr, two major freelance bases for freelancers over the world. However, in the recent years, there have been also websites that gather freelancers from a more narrow area, like Europe. One of the platforms focused on a particular region is i-Lance, which connects businesses and freelancers from Belgium and near-by countries, such as Benelux and France.
In both cases, you can’t be wrong when using any of the available online platforms for freelancers – there are many ways to verify the freelancer’s profile and abilities, providing the clients with the top-notch professionals in their desired industry.
