| Freelancing has completely changed the way people | | | | No portfolio posted on his profile? No links to sample |
| work, hire, and perform business. For employers who | | | | works? No employer feedback? This could mean a |
| choose to engage in hiring remote employees, the | | | | couple of things - Either you're dealing with an |
| benefits are endless, but so are the problems. If you | | | | inexperienced person who may have that hidden |
| are an employer who's wanting to outsource some of | | | | aptitude fit for the job you need to fill, or it could be |
| your business functions to a freelancer, you may want | | | | lack of skills and ability staring right back at you. When |
| to learn about these red flags first. | | | | faced with situations like these, one great way to test |
| Incomplete and Boastful Profiles | | | | the waters is to ask them to do an "application" |
| Most, if not all freelance sites require their freelancers | | | | sample just to see what exactly their skill level is. This |
| to fill their profiles, or at least put an adequate amount | | | | way, you'll at least get an idea of if he's worth the |
| of information so employers can see what they need | | | | money you're okay with spending on a freelancer. |
| to know when hiring people. An incomplete profile can | | | | The Disappearing Act |
| give you a glimpse into deadline issues. On the other | | | | He impressed you with his samples so you decided to |
| hand, profiles that boast expertise in nearly every field | | | | take a chance and schedule an interview. Then for |
| imaginable could actually mean the exact opposite. | | | | some reason, you can't get a hold of him, for days! |
| Think of it as the Jack of all Trades, but the master of | | | | The general rule is to send one or two follow up |
| none. | | | | emails. If you still don't get a reply, then there's a good |
| REALLY Low Bids | | | | chance that you're banking on the wrong person. You |
| While many would bid lower to win posted projects, | | | | may want to try someone else. |
| beware of those with bids way too low to be | | | | Communication Problems |
| reasonable. This could be a flashing sign of | | | | Although there are freelancers who speak and |
| desperation. Freelancers who rarely get projects | | | | comprehend English well, there are quite a few who |
| sometimes think that lowering their bids will help them | | | | have don't really understand English. Language barriers |
| get "in." But freelancers who are confident in their skills | | | | are huge red flags because not only will the line of |
| know just how much they deserve for their hard work | | | | communication become compromised, but you also |
| and providing a quality product. If you have been hiring | | | | take the chance of wasting more time explaining the |
| these "philanthropic" workers in the past, then you may | | | | project in full detail over and over again. Make sure |
| want to look again at their results because odds are, | | | | that the applicant you've chosen completely |
| you've been getting what you've been paying for. | | | | understands the project specifics and will do it right the |
| Lack of Samples | | | | first time. |