Ask IH: Have you ever hired a developer on Upwork...
... Or similar freelancing marketplaces?
If so, what was it for, what was your process for vetting them, and how did it end up going?
... Or similar freelancing marketplaces?
If so, what was it for, what was your process for vetting them, and how did it end up going?
Hopefully you don't mind a reply from someone that relies on Upwork for contracts :D
IMHO the best engagements are those with clear, concise requirements. Rates are ALWAYS flexible and I'm always willing to work with the client based on defined, explicit requirements but contracts that come in with muddled requirements or half a description will typically get the "Too busy on other projects" response. If you can maintain interaction (slack, email, video chats) throughout the project and assign actual deliverables + dates you'll get the most out of your developer.
In addition, I think that an up-front video chat is 100% worth the effort on both sides of the transaction: for you as the client you can see who the person is that you're going to rely on for the work they're contracted to deliver, and for the developer they can understand who is going to be paying their rate and what kind of interaction they're going to have throughout the project. Without this part I wouldn't feel comfortable either paying the developer or getting paid by the client.
Overall like any marketplace you're going to get some duds so just make sure to filter them out and you'll find the ideal person in no time!
Hope that helps!
Hey Sebastian,
Not at all! In fact I found it very valuable to get that perspective. So to summarize (I'm extrapolating a bit), as a freelancer when you're looking for work you want to see:
Does that sound right?
100%! And though the list may seem crazy and unattainable on paper, from the developer point of view I think it's totally reasonable.
I wouldn't go and define every possible deliverable, but a clear enough sense of direction is really helpful.
Hi,
yes I have hired so developers and designer from Upwork
for a node.js project and angular as well for designing a new logo,
I realized that some of the developers ware skilled an some not
so my approach was first to invite some of the developers to an interview over skype to see who the people are and to give them the chance to respond to my question without googling it first.
(if he not agree .. he do not need a job)
i thing there are good people on upwork to ch them is work.
The process of doing a small test engagement, as well as starting small at first makes sense. I also appreciate the advice about payment terms!
Yes. Give them a very clear and small assignment to start. Ask them for their estimate before they start and what is their approach. Ask to see a portfolio that indicates they did something like this before. Then evaluate the work. I've had some good luck but I am also technical so I can evaluate the work and dig in with questions. Do you have a technical background? It helps I think.
Yup I can see how having a technical background would help. Like mechanics hiring mechanics :)
Did you end up having to interview a lot of people before finding the right fit? Is there anything in particular that you look for in profiles?
I should also have asked this in the original question because it's probably important: what kind of price level / hourly rate were you targeting?
I dont have a lot of time to interview many people. I will wait a few days for all the people to reply on UpWork. I also choose people with very high success rate. I will invite people also who look good. I try to limit my interviews to 2-3 finalists that look best on "paper."
Yes I hired a few trough upwork.
Overall from the last 15 or so, I would immediately hire 2 again on the spot. About 3 hires were complete desasters and the others mostly delivered on time and budget but nothing over impressive.
My suggestions for vetting:
I have been freelancing for a while, some on Upwork too and have developed a strong dislike for it. Besides the fact that countless freelancers have already been screwed over by Upwork due to clients complaining to them I find it much harder to find quality clients/freelancer there than in other places. Sometimes it almost feels like the site is solely aimed at providing western companies with cheap South-Asian labor. The trick is of course that once you find a good client in the sea of $8/hour jobs you often continue working with them for a long which is nice but also Upwork keeps skimming of 10-20% of the top which is not so nice.