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Finding freelancers with the right skills is never easy. Freelancers can be cost savers for your business but can quickly become a liability if they're not hired correctly. Read on to find out more on hiring a freelancer in the UK.
Follow our 7 top tips to help you hire the perfect freelancer for you.
Photo by Iris Wang and blog by Sara Akar
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Online marketplaces like Skillbox allow you to post what type of job you need doing. You will then be able to view freelancers in the search results and add them to your favourites. You will have lists of freelancers to choose from, all with skills based on the type of job you’ve advertised. Don’t be tempted to hire the cheapest freelancer available as this will likely cost you more in the end and you won’t get the job done to the quality you expect. Always hire based on skills, expertise, and experience.
Make use of online video calling platforms like Skype to conduct interviews if you can’t do it face to face. Interviewing a freelancer gives you an idea of their personality, how serious they are about their work, and if they are the right fit for the job. It also allows both of you to see who you might be working with and will let you check their other commitments and timeline to see if they can dedicate the right amount of time to your project.
It is especially essential to insist on references if you are looking to hire someone long term. References will let you know how satisfied previous employers were with the quality of work that the candidate produced and will provide a good indication of how well they’re likely to perform in the future. Ask the candidate to provide references for you to contact. If you found your candidate on an online marketplace like Skillbox, check the documentation that has been assigned to the description section of there profile relating to the candidate’s previous employers. The feedback on marketplaces is especially useful because contractors can’t change it.
If you have narrowed the list of potential candidates down but are still unsure which one of them is right for the job, you might want to consider sample hire. Give them a task that is an example of what the job entails on a daily basis (at a reduced rate) and see how well they perform. This will allow you to objectively judge who is most efficient and capable of the job. Understand that you will have to pay them a small fee, but this will be worth it in the long term when you hire your ideal candidate.
Once you’ve decided who the perfect candidate for the job is, draft out an agreement for the entire project. This will allow all parties involved to be clear on the exact requirements of the job. Include all aspects of the project in the agreement, including task deadlines, project milestones, and payment schedules. If the project involves design or software development, it is advisable to draw out a contract regarding ownership of the final work and have both parties sign it before the work ensues. You may also want to have the freelancer sign a non-disclosure agreement in case they will have access to your company details. This will stop them from getting work from your clients for a while.
The final tip is to maintain regular communication with your contractor. Regular skype meetings and polite email communication will help maintain a positive relationship with them. It will also allow you to regularly check in to see that they are on track with projects. During meetings, discuss your objectives and milestones with them and allow them to contribute any suggestions or exciting ideas they might have.