Freelance Hiring: Tactics for Success by Charlene Rashkow

Since 1997, Loose Ends has been honored to feature columns by talented guest contributors with something to say! If you'd like to share your ideas, contact me for guidelines, or read more here.

Freelance Hiring: Tactics for Success

By Charlene Rashkow
Copyright 2002

Assume you were faced with the task of hiring a new group of talented individuals to handle a huge new account you just landed. Are you up for the task? When you consider the process of linking a business with talented professionals it can be quite daunting, leaving a business owner or manager with a major challenge. Searching for just the right individuals means putting forth a lot of time and energy that could very well be used more efficiently in other directions. Additionally, the interviewing process can be long and tedious and may not bring the anticipated match. A new wave in hiring has begun taking hold and the focus is on using freelancers.

In the past you would generally commission a freelancer specifically for writing activities or more artistic endeavors but in today's marketplace it's becoming more common to find companies using freelancers in every capacity. The host of industry specialists range from web designers and graphic people all the way to human resource specialists, managers, trainers, financial experts and any other skilled professional. The advantages to an employer or owner of a company are many and can alleviate concerns that may not have been taken into account.

While some employers still think that the old way of hiring permanent employees is superior, there are many forward thinking businesspeople who are discovering the innumerable benefits of working with freelance professionals. Companies and individuals are always seeking ways to keep costs down and productivity up and when choosing the freelance route, you are assured that great pains are taken towards completing a project on time, within budget and with great skill. Because a freelancer is eager to develop his own business, he or she will work more diligently than staff employees. Working with a freelancer means you don't have to worry about training, insurance or supplies. You merely pay for the work delivered and when the project is complete, the freelancer simply goes away.

If your concern is whether the credibility of a freelance consultant is legitimate, there has been a huge upsurge in professional freelance agencies that provide an excellent alternative. To give you an idea of the types of services these agencies provide, the following are a few sites worth checking into. They are www.homerunconnection.com, www.xchangeteam.com and www.headbank.com. The mention of these agencies are not endorsements but merely a demonstration of the types of agencies available online. The three companies saw a specific need and filled it by working with a variety of industries. Because agencies want to be your ongoing resource for all outsourcing needs, an agency carefully screens the potential candidate, checks on references and asks all the right questions. In essence they handle all the more difficult details. Since the agency wants nothing more than to place the brightest and the best person on the job, the freelance agency keeps a roster of talented! people on hand at all times, making sure of a successful match between client and freelancer. In reality, there is very little risk to you, the businessperson, thereby making the circumstance a win/win situation for everyone. The author does not personally have first hand knowledge as to the business practices of the three freelance agencies mentioned and can therefore make no claims as to their professionalism. They are mentioned merely in an effort to demonstrate the types of freelance agencies that are currently available online.

If you prefer to do the hiring on your own, there are a few things to consider when making your selection since choosing the right person can present you with a bit of a dilemma. As an example, a lot of people claim to be terrific at what they do, yet when you review their service, you are not impressed. How can you be sure that the person you are selecting is ultimately going to be the right person, the one who can truly handle the project effectively?

When selecting your candidates:

Be sure the freelancer is willing to provide references; two or three references should be enough.
Ask the freelancer if they will offer samples of their work pursuant to your needs; in other words if the project requires a strategy, ask for some details. If the project requires writing, request a short sample paragraph.
Pay strict attention to the response you receive via e-mail or telephone; professionalism is the key.
Always be sure contracts are clear and agreed upon from the start. If you're concerned about time lines and completion, be sure the freelancer is willing to sign a contract that protects both you and the freelancer.

Perhaps you're thinking that paying a freelancer will be more costly but think again. In actuality, it probably costs less to use freelancers compared to hiring full time employees. You only hire and pay for the freelancer when you need them, plus, you're not responsible for providing any benefits or paying taxes. One important point to consider is that because a freelancer is not an employee it is important that you not direct or try to control when, where or how the work is performed. The distinction is important when it comes to tax laws.

As many employers begin testing the waters of outsourcing and realize that the positive effects far outweigh any perceived disadvantages, it is predicted that outsourcing will fast become the wave of the future. Whether you are planning to create a dynamic new web site or hiring a professional freelance accountant, your goal is to find a freelancer that will bring a fresh new approach to your company. When working with credible freelancers, you should be assured of nothing less than excellent service.

Charlene Rashkow brings 15 years of experience as a Writing Stylist and Author to her creative efforts as a freelance writer/consultant. She has successfully helped companies and individuals reach their objectives by writing outstanding press releases, bios, articles of interest, business plans, resumes, web site content and all other forms of marketing material. You may contact Charlene Rashkow at www.allyourwritingneeds.com or write her at info@allyourwritingneeds.com. You can also call her directly at (310) 514-4844. This article may be reprinted providing the author's bio and contact information is included at the end of the article.




		On The Mark: Guest Column Since 1997, Loose Ends has been honored to feature columns by talented guest contributors with something to say! If you'd like to share your ideas, contact me for guidelines, or read more here. Freelance Hiring: Tactics for Success By Charlene Rashkow Copyright 2002 Assume you were faced with the task of hiring a new group of talented individuals to handle a huge new account you just landed. Are you up for the task? When you consider the process of linking a business with talented professionals it can be quite daunting, leaving a business owner or manager with a major challenge. Searching for just the right individuals means putting forth a lot of time and energy that could very well be used more efficiently in other directions. Additionally, the interviewing process can be long and tedious and may not bring the anticipated match. A new wave in hiring has begun taking hold and the focus is on using freelancers. In the past you would generally commission a freelancer specifically for writing activities or more artistic endeavors but in today's marketplace it's becoming more common to find companies using freelancers in every capacity. The host of industry specialists range from web designers and graphic people all the way to human resource specialists, managers, trainers, financial experts and any other skilled professional. The advantages to an employer or owner of a company are many and can alleviate concerns that may not have been taken into account. While some employers still think that the old way of hiring permanent employees is superior, there are many forward thinking businesspeople who are discovering the innumerable benefits of working with freelance professionals. Companies and individuals are always seeking ways to keep costs down and productivity up and when choosing the freelance route, you are assured that great pains are taken towards completing a project on time, within budget and with great skill. Because a freelancer is eager to develop his own business, he or she will work more diligently than staff employees. Working with a freelancer means you don't have to worry about training, insurance or supplies. You merely pay for the work delivered and when the project is complete, the freelancer simply goes away. If your concern is whether the credibility of a freelance consultant is legitimate, there has been a huge upsurge in professional freelance agencies that provide an excellent alternative. To give you an idea of the types of services these agencies provide, the following are a few sites worth checking into. They are www.homerunconnection.com, www.xchangeteam.com and www.headbank.com. The mention of these agencies are not endorsements but merely a demonstration of the types of agencies available online. The three companies saw a specific need and filled it by working with a variety of industries. Because agencies want to be your ongoing resource for all outsourcing needs, an agency carefully screens the potential candidate, checks on references and asks all the right questions. In essence they handle all the more difficult details. Since the agency wants nothing more than to place the brightest and the best person on the job, the freelance agency keeps a roster of talented! people on hand at all times, making sure of a successful match between client and freelancer. In reality, there is very little risk to you, the businessperson, thereby making the circumstance a win/win situation for everyone. The author does not personally have first hand knowledge as to the business practices of the three freelance agencies mentioned and can therefore make no claims as to their professionalism. They are mentioned merely in an effort to demonstrate the types of freelance agencies that are currently available online. If you prefer to do the hiring on your own, there are a few things to consider when making your selection since choosing the right person can present you with a bit of a dilemma. As an example, a lot of people claim to be terrific at what they do, yet when you review their service, you are not impressed. How can you be sure that the person you are selecting is ultimately going to be the right person, the one who can truly handle the project effectively? When selecting your candidates: Be sure the freelancer is willing to provide references; two or three references should be enough. Ask the freelancer if they will offer samples of their work pursuant to your needs; in other words if the project requires a strategy, ask for some details. If the project requires writing, request a short sample paragraph. Pay strict attention to the response you receive via e-mail or telephone; professionalism is the key. Always be sure contracts are clear and agreed upon from the start. If you're concerned about time lines and completion, be sure the freelancer is willing to sign a contract that protects both you and the freelancer. Perhaps you're thinking that paying a freelancer will be more costly but think again. In actuality, it probably costs less to use freelancers compared to hiring full time employees. You only hire and pay for the freelancer when you need them, plus, you're not responsible for providing any benefits or paying taxes. One important point to consider is that because a freelancer is not an employee it is important that you not direct or try to control when, where or how the work is performed. The distinction is important when it comes to tax laws. As many employers begin testing the waters of outsourcing and realize that the positive effects far outweigh any perceived disadvantages, it is predicted that outsourcing will fast become the wave of the future. Whether you are planning to create a dynamic new web site or hiring a professional freelance accountant, your goal is to find a freelancer that will bring a fresh new approach to your company. When working with credible freelancers, you should be assured of nothing less than excellent service. Charlene Rashkow brings 15 years of experience as a Writing Stylist and Author to her creative efforts as a freelance writer/consultant. She has successfully helped companies and individuals reach their objectives by writing outstanding press releases, bios, articles of interest, business plans, resumes, web site content and all other forms of marketing material. You may contact Charlene Rashkow at www.allyourwritingneeds.com or write her at info@allyourwritingneeds.com. You can also call her directly at (310) 514-4844. This article may be reprinted providing the author's bio and contact information is included at the end of the article.

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