Tips for hiring a freelancer in your business

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Freelance

I’ve been hiring freelancers for more than 7 years and I’ve worked with more than 150 collaborators located in different countries and continents.

Rodrigo De Saro

What is a freelancer?

A freelancer is a self-employed person, who offers his services to different bosses or employers, usually for a specific time or project.

Advantages and disadvantages of being a freelancer

The advantages are clear, work on your own, at your own pace, from wherever you want (there are freelancers who travel the world while they work), tax benefits and above all freedom. But, like anything, being a freelancer also has its disadvantages. You have to look for projects or contracts (go out and sell yourself), you have to be very good at what you offer, know how to work on your own and order must be your best companion.

What do freelancers offer?

Usually freelancers offer services that can be performed remotely such as graphic design, translations, writing, programming, virtual assistants, content creators, social media management, advertising, miscellaneous work, etc…

How to hire a freelancer and implications?

Hiring a freelancer is much simpler than hiring an employee. Why? Let’s say that an employee seems like a riskier decision in the long term, and with a bureaucratic and tedious hiring process. A freelancer is a contract agreement that can end the following day after starting without any complications.

Contracts are usually paid per hour or project and are negotiated by both parties. It has to be clearly stated what the tasks and objectives are. As well as establishing how the freelancer will be remunerated.

The challenges of hiring a freelancer

The most complicated task, that also requires some experience, is to perform a good recruitment and selection of candidates (identify the good from the bad).

With this first filter it’s important to start a conversation, which is not the same as interviewing. Through this you will have to decipher if the collaborator has what you need. If they have the necessary experience and if they can prove it with examples, projects and references. It is VERY important to validate: experience, skills and above all references of current or past clients. Also, depending on the project I like to ask for some type of document with your proposal, analysis or objectives. This shows me interest and knowledge on the subject.

Where to look for a freelancer?

Nowadays there are many sites to search and hire freelancers. These sites give access to freelancers located anywhere in the world, which is a good benefit for businesses since they have more options.

Tips to working with a freelancer:

  • Remember that in most cases they have other bosses and projects, so you will be sharing their time with someone else.
  • The relationship with them should not be seen or treated the same as the one you have with an employee.
  •  Measures their performance by results and objectives rather than by time
  • Closely monitor the work and activities. Have some type of contact on a daily basis and verify progress. If you don’t do it, you risk delaying your project.
  • If there is already an agreement of compliance time, don’t pressure or hurry them if the date hasn’t arrived. By the agreed date you’ll be in your right to exert more pressure.

In conclusion, a freelancer is a very good option for businesses that require hiring experts on a subject but that doesn’t necessarily justify hiring an employee whose hiring would be very expensive. You can also see them as additional support for your team when you need to have extra help during a particular time.

Osmos Cloud

osmoscloud.com

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