In 2019, an impressive 35% of US workers were freelancing, with the total number of freelancers having increased to 57 million (up by 4 million since 2014), according to one report. However, while this highlights the prevalence and popularity of freelancing, hiring freelancers to work with your company might sound like a risky move. Whether you’re new to the idea or have been on the fence for a while, here’s what you need to know in regards to freelancers and the success of your business – and how the two can work hand in hand.
The Many Benefits
When it comes to hiring freelancers, there are a number of benefits to be aware of. From the financial benefits of not having to pay for benefits (since they won’t become employees) to being able to pick from a global talent pool through remote possibilities, freelancing allows you to get specialized and qualified workers when you need them. Not only does this have the potential to bring quality and efficiency to your business, but it’s also convenient. For instance, if you need extra help on a project (and a singular project alone), a freelancer can become a temporary part of your team since they’re able to work on an as-needed basis as opposed to becoming a permanent part of the payroll.
Considerations of the Cons
While there are undoubtedly several reasons why hiring freelancers could become your secret weapon for success, there are also some cons to take into consideration when deciding whether or not it’s a good move for your company. For instance, it’s important to keep in mind that finding the right freelancers for the job can be time consuming, meaning that hiring a freelancer on a whim could result in unpredictable outcomes. Not only that, but a freelancer may also have a number of other projects on their mind, which may mean that yours may not always be of priority to them (thus potentially risking quality). However, asking the right questions during the hiring process may allow you to avoid such pitfalls.
Hiring Need-to-Knows
If you’ve made the decision to add a freelancer or two (or more) to your team, there are a couple of things you can do to ensure that you wind up with a great match. In fact, simply asking the right questions during the interview process can go a long way. With questions regarding prior experience and asking to see a comprehensive portfolio, you can gain valuable insight as to the skill that someone may possess. Similarly, asking questions regarding their work style and ethic (such as when it comes to their work schedule), and communication preferences (daily/weekly email vs. instant messaging platforms, etc.) can also aid in ensuring you’re hiring someone who will prioritize the work that you’d be giving them. For example, someone who is new to freelancing, doesn’t have a portfolio, and who only prefers to communicate by the occasional email is a red flag, proving that such questions will save you time in the long run.
Hiring freelancers can be a great way to bring success to your business through efficiency and high quality work. However, there are several things to consider both before and during the hiring process in order to ensure you’re getting a good match; such as asking the right questions about experience and work style.
You may also want to check out these best remote job boards, posting a job on these remote sites can bring a lot of potential candidates.
Cover Photo by Andrew Neel from Pexels
