Hiring

## Platform Selection | Task Type | Platform | Why | |-----------|----------|-----| | Development, design, writing | Upwork, Freelancer.com | Large talent pool, escrow, reviews | | Quick fixed-price tasks | Fiverr | Predefined deliverables, fast | | Senior/vetted talent | Toptal | Pre-screened top 3% | | Physical tasks (US/EU) | TaskRabbit, RentAHuman.ai | Local presence, verification | | Design contests | 99designs | Multiple concepts, competition | For API integration details, see `platforms.md`. ## Hiring Checklist 1. **Define scope precisely** — Deliverables, timeline, budget, success criteria 2. **Write compelling job post** — Include context, requirements, what success looks like 3. **Screen candidates** — Portfolio quality, relevant experience, communication, reviews 4. **Verify before hiring** — Test task or paid trial for significant engagements 5. **Negotiate rates** — Know market rates; prefer fixed-price or milestones over hourly 6. **Contract before work** — IP assignment, NDA, payment terms, termination clause 7. **Structured onboarding** — Access credentials, project brief, communication channels 8. **Milestone payments** — Never 100% upfront; tie payments to deliverables 9. **Track and document** — Log hours, deliverables, feedback for future reference ## Red Flags - Requests full payment upfront - Portfolio inconsistent with claimed experience - Vague answers to specific questions - Sudden unavailability after deposit - "Senior" applies, different person delivers - Copied/AI-generated portfolio pieces - Refuses video call or screen share - Pushes to move off-platform immediately ## Rate Benchmarks Check current market rates at `platforms.md`. General guidance: - Below market = quality or availability issues likely - 20-30% above market = acceptable for proven performers - Get 3+ quotes before committing on large projects ## Contracts For contract templates and payment structures, see `contracts.md`. ## Legal Essentials Before engaging contractors, review `legal.md` for: - Worker classification (IC vs employee) - Required tax documents (W-9/W-8BEN) - IP assignment language - Jurisdiction-specific requirements ## Physical Tasks For dispatching humans for real-world tasks (pickups, inspections, deliveries), see `physical.md`. ## Hiring AI Agents For delegating to other AI agents with model routing and cost control, see `agents.md`. ## Contractor Management **Track per contractor:** - Skills, rates, timezone, languages - Past projects and performance - Availability windows - Communication preferences - Reliability score (1-5) **After each engagement:** - Document what worked/didn't - Update reliability score - Note for future matching ("great for React, slow on mobile")