The essential guide for choosing the right independent contractor

Hiring a contractor is an attractive option for businesses looking to add skilled professionals to their team without the long-term commitment or expense of full-time staff. It allows businesses to leverage as needed, but selecting the right contractor can have a significant impact on your success.

To make sure you’re choosing the best candidate for your project, you need to evaluate potential contractors thoroughly and objectively.

When evaluating potential independent contractors, it's important to ask the right questions in order to make sure you're choosing the best candidate for your project. Asking the wrong questions, or not asking enough, can lead to a mismatch between what you need and what they offer, resulting in wasted time and money.

Although a ‘cultural fit’ may be less important if the contractor is working remotely, you still need to ascertain your likely working relationship based on their attitude, as well as their skill set.

So, how do you know which questions are essential when interviewing candidates? Here are some key elements to consider when evaluating potential contractors.

Research their qualifications, experience and references

Researching a contractor's qualifications and experience is an important step in selecting the right person for your project. Not only does it provide assurance the candidate has the skills needed to complete the task, but it also helps ensure they have a track record of success in similar roles.

To get started, you'll need to ask questions about their background, review their portfolio of work, and check references from past clients or employers. With this information at hand, you can make an informed decision about whether or not they're right for your project.

Fair contracts save time, money and relationships

A clear and unambiguous contract outlining the terms of your agreement, including the payment amount and terms, is essential as it ensures both parties understand their responsibilities and expectations. It also protects you from any potential legal issues, and provides an outline for deadlines, deliverables and how disputes should be resolved if they arise.

Whether you're paying by the hour or project, negotiating a fair rate is essential for getting the most value out of your investment. Keep in mind contractors will likely pay their own tax and superannuation, and do not receive benefits and leave entitlements. Factor these in when determining a fair rate of compensation.

Additionally, setting clear expectations about when payments are due can help ensure projects stay on track and deadlines are met without any delays. Taking the time to iron out these details beforehand will save you time, money and frustration in the long run.

Setup a system for communication throughout the project timeline

Hiring an independent contractor for a project is a great way to get the job done quickly and efficiently, but in order to ensure success, it's important to set up clear communication channels from the start. This will help keep projects on track and prevent misunderstandings. Efficient communication with your contractor is the key to a successful working relationship. Here are some tips for establishing strong communication channels between you and your contractor.

1. Establish communication channels upfront

Before hiring an independent contractor, it’s important to discuss the communication channels you will use throughout the project timeline and make sure everyone is on the same page. This includes details such as contact information, preferred method of communication, and expectations for response times. Establishing a formal communication system such as email or a dedicated chat platform will make it easier to manage communication with your contractor throughout the project timeline. This will also help to ensure any messages or updates remain organised and easily accessible for both parties.

2. Be clear and concise

When communicating with your contractor, be as clear and concise as possible. This will make it easier for them to understand what you need from them and reduce the chances of misunderstandings or miscommunications.

3. Set expectations

It’s also important to establish expectations for communication such as response times, how often you expect updates, and how you prefer to be contacted. This will help keep the project on track.

4. Use a project management tool

Using a project management tool such as Trello or Asana can make it easier to keep track of tasks and progress, as well as streamline communication between you and your contractor. This will also provide a central hub for all project-related communication, making it easier to manage and monitor progress throughout the duration of the project.

5. Agree on a dispute resolution plan

When hiring an independent contractor, it’s important to establish a mutually agreeable dispute resolution plan should any disagreements arise throughout the project timeline.

6. Provide feedback and reviews

A productive working relationship has, at its foundations, an honest and respectful feedback process. Experienced contractors want to give the business the best of their skills and will appreciate the opportunity to discuss both positives and negatives associated with their role.A contractor arrangement can provide a multitude of benefits to an organisation and by following a diligent selection and management process, a business can work with talented professionals who understand their goals and objectives while also being able to integrate into their existing workplace environment seamlessly.