Freelance industry is a booming
sector right now. With the new age internet access, many individuals do not opt
for a 9 to 5 job. They rather are their own boss, work at their own time and
preferably in their pajamas. This is the biggest advantage of a freelance job. It
is estimated that there are over 16 million freelancers spread across 170
countries.
This is also exciting news for
the entrepreneurs as they can hire skills with fresh set of approach.
Freelancers give an out of the box perspective on their work and can be quite hassling
free, when it comes to employee management. Entrepreneurs also have the
advantage of paying a more reasonable rate than a full time employee.
There are however, certain
pointers to be kept in mind, when hiring a freelancer. Here are 7 important
tips to find the right freelancer for you:
1. Look for specialists – when looking for
a freelancer, you should be specific on the job description and the skills
required. You can also ask for work samples to evaluate the particular skill
that you are looking for. You can also conduct a short test on the field that
you intend to hire.
2. Look for ratings and reviews – Many
freelancers in websites like Fiverr and Upwork have reviews by older clients.
Look for honest reviews and ratings, which can tell you how the individual is
in respect of professionalism. If the freelancer is new, you can always ask
him/her to submit a sample work or conduct a skill test.
3. Look for Levels – Fiverr has many
levels to indicate the skill of a seller, like Level One, Level Two and Top
Rated Seller. If you are strict on hiring an experienced freelancer, look for
Level 2 and above freelancers. This ensures you get best work at a reasonable
price. It also promises good and timely delivery of your work. Similarly on
Upwork, you can look for Job Success Score of an individual. Experienced
freelancers also have a special badge on their profile, which lets you know,
who the best ones are.
4. Covering Letters and Gigs – Upwork
requires submitting covering letters with each job application. An interested
candidate would spice up the covering letter in such a way, that it is bound to
catch your attention. Fiverr is big on gigs! Every gig will have a detailed
description of their work, what they offer and their prices. This gives you a
fair idea of the freelancer. This also ensures comparison with others, so that
you can pick and choose the best ones out.
5. Deliveries – Check for the freelancer
who gives timely deliveries. This is however only valid, when you look through
reviews and recommendations. For a newbie again, set a delivery time for a test
sample and see how it goes. You can test communication skills, strict deadlines
and many more.
6. Time-zoned Freelancers – Freelancers in
different time zones can offer a competitive advantage. Although it may not
seem much, think of it as someone who works even when you are sleeping! You
also get early deliveries than your competitors, which makes sure you are way
ahead of the rest.
7. Tailored
Projects – it may happen at times, that you spot a freelancer with 4 out of
5 of your preferred skill set, but doesn’t fit your budget, or you find the
perfect individual but he/she offers longer delivery time. In such cases, look
for someone who is available for tailored jobs. Just like your tailored suit,
you can have your personal tailored freelancer. You can discuss important
details and plan projects according to your need.
Ultimately, you
are your best judge. Only you know what you require in a project. These factors
can be used as guidelines in finding the right person for the job, but the
final decision rest with you.