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17 Things to Look for When Hiring Freelancers
Technical skills aren't the only factor to evaluate when hiring freelancers.
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As freelancing and remote work continue to grow in popularity, more businesses are bringing freelancers on board to provide fresh perspectives and expertise on a broad range of projects. However, hiring the right freelancers for your business can be a challenge — particularly when hiring remote freelancers or independent contractors.
We’ll explore the key factors business owners and hiring managers should weigh when adding freelancers to their teams.
What to look for when hiring freelancers
The freelance economy is booming. Around 80 million Americans are freelancing in 2025, and that number is expected to top 90 million by 2028, according to Market.us Scoop. At the same time, the U.S. freelance platforms market is projected to more than double from $1.17 billion in 2023 to nearly $2.8 billion by 2030, Grand View Research reports.
With so many people working independently and more companies choosing freelancers, competition for top talent is only going to increase. That makes it even more important to approach hiring strategically. Finding the right freelancers can help you grow your business, expand expertise, and bring in fresh perspectives without committing to a full-time hire.
Here are 17 tips to help you add the right on-demand workers to your team.
1. Ask freelancers for referrals and portfolios.
Reviewing a freelancer’s past work gives you a sense of their experience, creativity and working style, according to Marcus Clarke, founder of Searchant.co.
“Look for a diverse range of project portfolios to ensure that the freelancer is versatile and can handle any project you throw their way,” Clarke advised. It’s also wise to ask for referrals from past clients so you can verify reliability and professionalism.
What to look for varies by industry. For example, tech freelancers should show proficiency with current programming languages and frameworks, creatives should have portfolios that demonstrate varied design styles and client work, and marketing freelancers should provide case studies that highlight measurable results and marketing ROI.
2. Ensure freelancers have the specific skill set your business needs.
The right expertise can be the difference between a profitable project and a costly setback, noted James Prior, founder of DoTEFL.
“If a business hires a freelancer who lacks the necessary expertise and experience, the project may be delayed or may not meet the required standards,” Prior cautioned.
Today, that also means checking whether candidates are comfortable with the latest tools of the trade. With AI now woven into content creation, design, data analysis and project management, it’s smart to ask if freelancers use — and know how to get the best results from — relevant AI-assisted tools.
3. Check for freelancer ratings and reviews.
Freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr make it easy to see a freelancer’s track record. Along with portfolios, you can read client feedback, review past contracts and get a sense of how reliable and collaborative a freelancer is.
As a benchmark, look for completion rates above 90 percent, client satisfaction scores of 4.5 out of 5 or higher, and response times within 24 hours for initial messages. These indicators suggest a freelancer who delivers quality work, communicates well and respects deadlines.
4. Choose freelancers who exhibit excellent communication skills.
Strong communication is essential when working with freelancers, said Michael Hammelburger, CEO of The Bottom Line Group.
“Leaders should evaluate the freelancer’s communication skills and availability to ensure that they can collaborate effectively and provide regular updates on the project’s progress,” Hammelburger advised. “To avoid potential problems in the future … establish clear communication channels, response times, and meeting or discussion availability in advance.”
Good communicators keep you informed, ask the right questions and prevent small misunderstandings from becoming costly mistakes.
5. Look for freelancers who seek to understand your company.
The best freelancers don’t just show up with skills — they also show genuine interest in your business. If a candidate asks thoughtful questions, demonstrates knowledge of your products or services, or connects their experience to your goals, it’s a sign they’ve done their homework and are ready for workplace teamwork.
6. Ask freelancers for recent references.
Strong freelancers should be able to provide job references from the past six to 12 months. If a candidate only offers outdated contacts, it may signal they’ve been inactive or are leaving out less positive feedback. Recent references give you a clearer picture of their reliability and performance today.
7. Seek out trustworthy freelancers.
Tyler Seeger, managing director of Retirement Being, believes trust is crucial because businesses take on financial and reputational risks when hiring freelancers. Hiring trusted individuals can protect your brand reputation and allow more open communication.
“If a freelancer doesn’t pull their weight … it can reflect poorly on your business and damage your relationships with customers and clients,” Seeger warned. “[Prioritizing] trust … ensure[s] that you’re working with someone who … will deliver quality work that meets your expectations.”
8. Use freelancers who have experience with collaborative tools.
Freelancers don’t work in a vacuum — they need to collaborate smoothly with your team. Familiarity with workplace collaboration tools like Slack, Google Docs and Trello helps keep projects organized and communication clear. Many freelancers also now leverage AI-enhanced project management tools to track tasks, automate updates and manage deadlines, adding another layer of efficiency to your workflow.
That said, don’t rule out someone who hasn’t used your exact systems. A freelancer who’s adaptable and eager to learn can usually get up to speed quickly during the onboarding process.
9. Ensure your freelancers are motivated.
Since freelancers set their own schedules, self-motivation is key. They should be able to stay on task, deliver quality work and meet deadlines without constant oversight.
10. Turn to freelancers with high quality standards.
While speedy work may be desirable, high-quality work is essential. Before you hire, review sample assignments to see if a freelancer’s standards match your company’s expectations.
One way to keep quality on track is to set clear benchmarks. For example, you might look for:
- Projects delivered on time at least 90 percent of the time
- Work that needs minimal revisions (ideally fewer than two rounds)
- Strong communication, with responses within a day
- Consistent client satisfaction ratings of 4.5/5 or higher
Beyond the numbers, pay attention to the softer side too — do they follow your brand guidelines, take feedback well and bring fresh ideas to the table? These checks help ensure your freelancers aren’t just completing tasks but actually adding value to your business.
11. Work with freelancers who are willing to sign a contract.
Like employment contracts, freelance agreements protect both sides. A written contract sets expectations, clarifies the scope of work and payment terms, and explains what happens if deadlines or deliverables aren’t met, said Dustin Ray, co-CEO and chief growth officer at Bizee.
12. Hire freelancers who are passionate about the project.
Skills and experience matter, but passion often makes the difference between average and outstanding work. A freelancer who cares about your project will go beyond checking boxes — they’ll bring energy, ideas and pride in their output. That enthusiasm shows up in the final product and can elevate your company’s reputation.
13. Work with freelancers to set a project completion deadline.
Deadlines keep projects on track, but they only work if both sides agree they’re realistic. A strong freelancer should be able to give you a clear timeline for completing the work, or let you know if your proposed deadline isn’t feasible. Having this conversation up front helps prevent missed expectations and last-minute scrambles.
14. Turn to freelancers who want a long-term relationship.
The best freelancers aren’t just looking for a quick side gig; they’re interested in building an ongoing partnership. When someone works with you over time, they get to know your company’s processes, preferences and goals, which makes their output more consistent and aligned with your vision.
15. Choose freelancers whose work style aligns with yours.
There’s no single “right” way to produce quality work. Some freelancers prefer full autonomy, while others thrive with regular check-ins and guidance, noted Kelsey Kloss, founder of Kloss Creatives. Before hiring, talk openly about your expectations and their preferred style. A small trial project can help you see whether their workflow meshes with your team’s processes.
16. Make sure freelancers can follow directions.
Independence is valuable, but so is the ability to stick to a brief. As part of your hiring process, give candidates a small sample assignment to see how closely they follow instructions, whether they ask smart, clarifying questions, and how well they deliver on what was requested. This simple step helps you spot reliability before committing to a bigger project.
17. Freelancers’ work should help you meet your business goals.
Hiring a freelancer isn’t just about filling a gap — it’s about moving your business forward and meeting business goals. Brent Osborn, principal consultant at Off Square One LLC, advised businesses to clarify why they’re bringing in outside help.
“Businesses often neglect to articulate their blind spots in a way that illuminates them as opportunities,” Osborn explained. “Narrowing in on the ‘why’ will help you … select the ‘right’ freelance person or agency that supports the heart of the task.”
Where to find freelancers
When you’re ready to bring freelancers on board, start by crafting a detailed job description. Just as you would with full-time or part-time employees, this step helps attract the right candidates, said Alexandra N. Cohen, founder of ANC Consult.
“This sets expectations for project execution, as well as for standards for communication, time commitment, and information about the company itself to give the freelancer background and ensure alignment with company practices and values,” Cohen explained.
With a strong description in hand, you can begin posting to the right places to connect with qualified talent. Here are a few go-to platforms and strategies to consider.
1. Seek freelancers on freelance work platforms.
Great platforms for freelance services, including Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, Behance and Freelancer.com, make it easier to connect with skilled professionals. Each platform has its own strengths, so the right choice depends on your needs.
- Upwork: Upwork offers a wide range of talent and even uses AI-powered matching to pair you with the right freelancer. It also includes project management tools to keep work on track.
- Toptal: Toptal focuses on premium tech and finance talent, with a rigorous vetting process that accepts only about 3 percent of applicants. You’ll pay more, but the expertise is proven.
- Fiverr: Fiverr works well for smaller, fixed-price projects and for finding digital marketing and web development freelancers.
- Freelancer.com: Freelancer.com uses a bidding system that gives you access to a large global pool, often at budget-friendly rates.
- Behance: Behance is best for creative professionals, showcasing portfolios and integrating directly with Adobe Creative Suite.
These platforms usually handle payments directly, adding security and ease for both parties. Just keep in mind they charge commissions, which can range from about 3 to 20 percent, depending on the service.
2. Post freelance job opportunities on a remote job board.
Because most freelancers work remotely, posting on job boards that specialize in remote talent can expand your reach and connect you with candidates worldwide. These platforms often attract professionals who are already comfortable working independently and bringing fresh ideas to the table.
Options vary in cost and focus. Hubstaff Talent is free to use, while sites like Working Nomads, NoDesk, and We Work Remotely charge per post. FlexJobs uses a subscription model with a monthly fee but is known for vetting listings carefully, which can save you time weeding out unqualified applicants.
3. Post freelancing opportunities on an industry-specific job site.
Sometimes the best place to find freelancers isn’t a general platform at all, but a job board that caters to your specific industry. For example, freelance writers often check boards dedicated to writing gigs, while designers may frequent platforms that highlight creative projects.
By posting where your target talent is already looking, you can attract candidates with the exact skills you need. Industry-focused boards save time by filtering out less relevant applicants and connecting you directly with professionals who understand your field.
Legal and tax responsibilities when hiring freelancers
Before you finalize a freelancer hire, it’s important to understand the legal and tax responsibilities that come with the relationship.
- Classification matters: Under federal labor laws, freelancers must operate independently — using their own tools and setting their own schedules. Misclassifying workers as contractors when they should be employees can result in penalties.
- Tax reporting: Businesses must issue Form 1099-NEC to freelancers who earn $600 or more in a year. Keep accurate records of payments and contracts, while freelancers handle their own self-employment and quarterly taxes.
- State requirements: Some states have additional rules. For instance, New York’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act requires written contracts for freelance projects worth $800 or more, mandates payment within 30 days, and provides legal remedies for nonpayment. Other states are considering similar protections, so always check local laws.
By staying on top of these requirements, you’ll protect your business legally and build stronger, more transparent relationships with your freelancers.
