If you are looking to hire a freelance for your work, there are a good number of factors that have to be kept in mind. The best way to go about it is to set up an informal interview on call and try to understand the person better.
In this article, Team YLCC has brought you 10 important questions to ask a freelancer you are considering to hire. Read on!
WHAT MOTIVATES HIM/HER
This is one of the common questions asked in any interview, and is especially important for freelancers. It is a question that can reveal plenty of things about the individual and his/her relationship with the work he/she does. If you are looking to work with someone who is interested in the work they do, it is important to ensure their intentions and whether it means more dedication on their part.
Asking why they do the work also gives the client a chance to know a little about the person’s background if they choose to say it. It is difficult to find dedicated people in the hiring game and questions like these help you better identify the intentions of a person towards the job.
HIS/HER PROFESSIONAL CHARGES
You can better assess a freelancer’s potential if you know exactly what they expect. Regardless of any potential for bargaining, the freelancer will set his own pricing, which is critical to your budget and appraisal of the person’s needs. Do you actually require the services of a freelancer? If that’s the case, you’ll have to evaluate whether it’s worthwhile.
Before beginning the hiring process, most firms will have a budget in mind and will have assessed the necessity for a freelancer. You’ll need to know the rates per assignment, additional charges, and any pricing requests to avoid any misunderstandings.
MEASURING SELF-OPINION IS IMPORTANT
Confident people make a difference, and if you want a freelancer to work with your existing team, they will need to be confident as well. It is done to bring up honesty and a show of self-confidence by asking someone to evaluate oneself.
This would also provide insight into how the freelancer views his work. Is he convinced that he is the best at what he does, or does he desire to improve? Based on your appraisal of the answer, you can design your next questions.
WHAT ARE THE TIMINGS THAT YOU’RE AVAILABLE?
Asking the freelancer about his/her availability is crucial as they may have other clients waiting on them as well. Moreover, not everyone is a full-time freelancer and you might be just another client.
Knowing about the freelancer’s honest availability means you can make future decisions about the project accordingly. This should also be a chance to ask the freelancer about his perspective on deadlines.
WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO WORK WITHIN THE REQUIRED DEADLINES?
In terms of business, you need to know if the person you’re considering hiring will be able to do the work within the timeframe you’ve set. If not, find out how much time they require and see if you can accommodate them.
Some people dislike being rushed and prefer to work at their own pace, which may be why they began freelancing in the first place. You can ensure they’re comfortable executing the allotted work by confirming they’re agreeable with the specified deadlines.
EXPERIENCE IN PAST PROJECTS
This is yet another question that gives you an insight into the freelancer’s experience and interest in his field of work. Working on personal projects means being on the edge of learning and constant improvement.
As someone in charge of hiring freelancers, you should be aware of any projects the person has worked on in the past. If you find any particularly interesting ones, be sure to ask about that project in more detail.
HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOUR CLIENTS ARE SATISFIED WITH YOUR WORK?
Customer satisfaction is a given for a freelancer who has worked in the profession for some time. After all, it is his customers that keep him going. By asking this question, you’re implying that you want the freelancer to describe everything he does to ensure that his clients are happy.
Because you’ll be the client when you engage the freelancer, it’s a good idea to double-check the processes being done to ensure a smooth transaction.
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO COMMUNICATE?
When working in a team or as part of a group, communication is important. The freelancer should be able to freely communicate between any members of a team (if one is present) or the company without any hassle.
Some prefer information to be handed to them in the form of text while others prefer hearing about it through a call. By respecting these preferences the process will be a lot smoother for both parties.
ANY CLIENTS I CAN CONTACT AS A REFERENCE?
References can reveal a lot about the person with whom you’re working. Happy clients reflect the freelancer’s work, which can only be a good thing for your company. You learn more about how companies deal with customers and the whole experience.
Candidates who have engaged the client see them several times are the most seasoned freelancers. Getting to know someone through their references allows you to have a better sense of who they are before hiring them.
YLCC would like to thank Riya Gupta for her valuable contribution this article.
