How to hire a private contractor

How to hire a private contractor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step private contractor hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the private contractor you need to hire. Certain private contractor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A private contractor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, private contractors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of private contractor salaries for various roles:

   Type of Private Contractor	Description	Hourly rate
   Private Contractor		$12-36
   Field Supervisor	Field supervisors are referred to as the generals for various industries such as engineering, construction, and energy. These supervisors oversee and manage field staff's performance... Show more	$14-28
   Crew Supervisor	A crew supervisor is responsible for monitoring the staff's performance, delegating tasks, and ensuring that the customers receive high-quality services and satisfaction. Crew supervisors maintain the adequacy of stock inventories, negotiate with suppliers and third-party vendors, and strategize on minimizing costs without sacrificing the quality... Show more	$14-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Windows
   • Snow Removal
   • RAN
   • Manual Labor
   • Troubleshoot
   • HVAC
   • Construction Projects
   • General Maintenance
   • Lawn Care
   • Residential Homes
   • General Construction
   • Tiling

   Responsibilities:

   • Enter and manage data for timberline for JC/AP/AR for multiple companies.
   • Manage, oversee and troubleshoot production schedules, critical orders and product development.
   • Utilize QuickBooks to manage company finances, including project invoices, material purchases, and accounts receivable.
   • Manage and decide all remodel activities.
   • Prepare and submit EHR data require for third party, Medicare, and Medicaid compliance audits.
   • Apply coats of paint, varnish, stain, enamel and lacquer to decorate and protect interior and exterior surfaces.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, private contractors' average salary in idaho is 63% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level private contractors 64% less than senior-level private contractors.
   • Certifications. A private contractor 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 private contractor's salary.

   Average private contractor salary

   $45,674yearly

   $21.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level private contractor salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 12, 2025

4. Writing a private contractor job description

   A private contractor 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 private contractor job description:

   Private contractor job description example

   Drive with NOW Courier and earn great money as an independent contractor. Get paid weekly by making deliveries within the community for one of our customers. With work available on Tuesdays, 3PM - 11PM , you'll have opportunities to earn an income that matches your desired lifestyle and goals . The more you drive, the more you can earn.

   Car and larger vehicles are great for this type of work. It's ideal for those looking for full time opportunity.

   Opportunity Snapshot:

   • Preferred vehicle: Car or larger
   • Type of work: Dedicated Distribution
   • Coverage area: 250+ mile radius from Indianapolis (Lebanon, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, West Lafayette, Monticello, Wabash, Peru and Kokomo)
   • Availability: Tuesday, 3PM - 11PM
   • Classification: Independent contractor
   • Additional work: Interested in working more? List your availability on the application. We'll match you to needed work!
   • Commission: $150 + fuel surcharge

   The more you drive, the more you can earn.

   Wait! Is this opportunity not a good fit? View our other openings at nowcourier.com/drivenow.

   Requirements

   As an industry leader, maintaining a fleet of professional drivers is a top priority. Qualified applicants must own a vehicle that can pass a multi-point inspection, be at least 21 years of age, own a smartphone that can run our driver app, valid driver's license and insurance, and pass a driver screening, which reviews your driving history and criminal background check. View more at nowcourier.com/start.

   Benefits

   Earn great money: The more you drive, the more you earn.

   Flexible opportunities: Additional opportunities may be available for extra income.

   Sound guidance: Access to dedicated advisors - no experience required!

   Get paid weekly: Get payments deposited into your bank account weekly.

   Discounted services: Keep more money in your pocket; includes automotive, legal, financial, & other services*.

   Health & wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance options available for you and your family*.

   Work for an industry leader: NOW Courier, an award-winning company, responds faster and offers more efficient solutions than our competition, utilizing seven strategic locations and 500 drivers serving Indiana and surrounding states.

   *Via third-party partner

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right private contractor for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with private contractors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit private contractors who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your private contractor job on Zippia to find and recruit private contractor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting private contractors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 private contractor

   Once you've found the private contractor candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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How much does it cost to hire a private contractor?