How to hire a freelancer

How to hire a freelancer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step freelancer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a freelancer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new freelancer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The freelancer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect freelancer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents freelancer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Freelancer	Description	Hourly rate
   Freelancer	Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.	$19-41
   Production Artist	A production artist is responsible for managing digital content, meeting clients' standard specifications and requests for successful project completion. Production artists must have computer proficiency, especially on utilizing various software tools and applications to create illustrations and layouts... Show more	$19-45
   Owner & Designer	Owners/designers are responsible for the overall creation of their designs, including the marketing campaigns to boost their brand image, and hiring people to help them execute the production for desired results. They also reach out to potential clients to offer their services, negotiate contract terms and payments, and work within the clients' specifications and timeframe... Show more	$15-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Web Content
   • Video Production
   • Adobe Photoshop
   • Photography
   • Graphic Design
   • Website Design
   • HTML
   • Adobe Illustrator
   • CSS
   • Logo Design
   • Facebook
   • PHP
   • SQL Server

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the instagram account to create a trend and increase the numbers of followers and likes.
   • Manage and develop a stream line Intranet site for better communication purposes and quicker access to documents and company information
   • Implement and customize several websites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and WordPress.
   • Design and develop the website for SoftProjector (http: //softprojector.org/) in HTML, CSS and PHP.
   • Create custom WordPress template that require the use of HTML5, CSS and PHP.
   • Perform social media management, Facebook advertising, social media blasts, and other marketing relate activities.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your freelancer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A freelancer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, freelancers' average salary in south dakota is 56% less than in maryland.
   • Seniority. Entry-level freelancers 53% less than senior-level freelancers.
   • Certifications. A freelancer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a freelancer's salary.

   Average freelancer salary

   $59,367yearly

   $28.54 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level freelancer salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing a freelancer job description

   A freelancer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a freelancer job description:

   Freelancer job description example

   Welocalize is hiring Part-Time Linguistic Testers that speak Kazakh at native-level fluency. As a Linguistic Tester, content you might be testing may include, but is not limited to, technical and marketing documentation, video, audio, e-learning courses, web software solutions, standalone applications, and mobile apps. You will primarily be proofreading and editing content already localized to your native language, making sure you catch any errors in the content, such as: format and layout, grammar, typos, syntax, punctuation, capitalization, political incorrectness, inconsistencies, and extra spaces between words or characters as well as confirming that the material has been properly internationalized and localized. You will sometimes be translating some small content from English to your native language. You will also be reporting functional issues, when being presented in an application.
   Job information:
   
   Job Title: Kazakh Part-Time Linguistic Tester
   Location: US Bssed
   Hourly Rate: $25+ (Negotiable based on experience)
   Hours: Part Time (Hours vary based on project need and demand)
   Start date: 2022-04-20
   Must have valid work authorization in US (Welocalize or the employer does not sponsor VISAs)
   
   Please note that this work is part time depending on project need. Due to this, hours will vary and flexibility with a changing schedule is very important.
   Requirements The following is a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities and areas of ownership for this position: Write and report relevant errors using best practices using various defect tracking systems; Evaluate quality of translation in your native language within the context of content being tested; Be a subject matter expert for linguistic issues in the target language; Be able to research and resolve linguistic questions; Adhere to project[1]specific quality standards, trademarks, style guides and client-preferred checklists and glossaries; Troubleshoot basic computer problems (for example connecting to the internet, switching between Languages etc.); Can communicate effectively and escalate testing issues; Complete assigned tasks in a quality and timely manner; Ability to work onsite in the QA Lab in Portland, OR; Experience Native-level or fully bilingual - written and spoken, in required language(s) Linguistic competency in requested language equal to the following: ILR Level 5 or CEF C2; Up-to-date awareness of current and common technical language usage in the target language; Strong English skills, both written and verbal; Strong practical knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (or equivalent MAC or OpenOffice) and various browsers; Basic knowledge of PC-hardware (desktop and laptop); Basic knowledge of smart phones (iPhone or Android); Other Skills; Be organized and able to work in a fast paced environment; Candidates with Localization/QA/translation experience are preferred.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find freelancers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your freelancer job on Zippia to find and recruit freelancer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit freelancers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new freelancer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the freelancer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new freelancer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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