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While freelance hiring isn't a new concept to companies and has been around for hundreds of years, things changed dramatically in the late 1990s and early 2000s with the advent and later advanced development of technology and particularly the Internet. Today, many businesses use freelancers to round out their workforces and meet growing staffing requirements. If you're going to hire a freelancer, be sure you do it the right way and take advantage of all the things freelance workers have to offer.
What is a Freelance Worker?
Freelance workers are often confused with offshore workers, and while that can sometimes be the case, a freelancer is simply someone who works for himself/herself and is not tied to a particular company. Freelance workers can often be between jobs or sometimes it's a lifestyle they prefer and have adopted.
The number of freelance workers in the marketplace continues to grow every year, and as of 2011 it constitutes approximately 10% of the global workforce.
On-Site vs. Off-Site Freelancers
Whether to hire an on-site or off-site freelancer worker will depend a lot on the type project you have. If your project will greatly benefit from having someone working on-site with you, then you should by all means hire a local contractor. However, if you have the flexibility to work with off-site contractors, then a door is opened to a huge pool of world wide talent.
While hiring off-site freelancers can be more difficult when you're unable to interview them face-to-face, if you do things right, you have a higher liklihood of finding the best talent.
Finding Freelance Workers
There are several options when it comes to finding a freelance worker for your project or business, and here are a few to consider:
- Former colleagues from previous jobs
- Your professional network of friends and colleagues
- LinkedIn.com
- Craigslist
- Freelance job sites
- Temporary work agencies
Freelance Hiring Checklist:
- Define your project in writing and be as specific as possible.
- Establish a budget, and remember that the more you're willing to pay the better talent you will attract.
- Identify sources for freelance workers (see Freelance Job Sites).
- Post your project on one or several freelance job sites.
- Review freelancers applying for your project thoroughly, paying particular attention to ratings and reviews of what former employers have said about them. Ask for work samples when appropriate.
- Once you've hired the right contractor, treat them professionally and with respect as they will be evaluating you as well to determine if you're a company they would like to work with on future projects.
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