Skills To Look For In Contractors
It’s likely you’ll hit a point in your business when you need some extra help. If you aren’t ready to hire a full-time, W-2 employee quite yet, contractors or freelancers can be a great asset to your business! Here’s a few benefits of hiring a contractor: they’re typically more affordable than an employee, they offer you hiring flexibility with projects, and they can provide a fresh perspective thanks to their experience.
When I was ready to take TAC(t) to the next level, I knew I needed to hire additional support. Today, I specifically have contractors who take the lead with administrative tasks and to support the weekly creative needs of our clients. By hiring for these two main areas, I was able to free my time up to focus on strategic conversations with my clients and to work on moving my business forward.
Side note— notice I said contractors, plural. When you’re hiring for support, it can be tempting to give them all of the tasks you need immediate assistance with, but there’s a good chance you need more than one person’s help. Be sure to hire appropriately for the quantity of work you need help tackling.
I know hiring a contractor (especially for the first time) can seem overwhelming. I understand the feeling! However, I believe getting specific, writing out your needs, and being clear about expectations can help make the process more effective (for you and the potential hire). Here are the key qualities I look for in contractors before bringing them onto my team.
1. Communication
I LOVE when my contractors are upfront and honest about capacity and ask questions they have about their tasks and assignments. I value contractors that openly communicate and keep me updated on where they are in the process (whatever the assignment task may be). Clear and proactive communication is something my team and I pride ourselves on— it not only keeps all of us organized and on top of our responsibilities, but this approach benefits our clients in a way that keeps everyone on the same page and all the plates spinning! I’ve found communication is also critical when working with an entirely remote team like ours.
2. Self-Awareness
It's important the contractors I bring on to support my clients' needs are aware of their own capabilities, capacity, and unique style when brought onto a project. A self-aware contractor/employee ends the guessing game of how and when something will be done, because the individual has been honest out of the gate as to how they like to work.
It's also important to note self-awareness also makes the 'hiring process' easier— there is no guessing if someone will be a good fit for the work. I understand we all need to eat and pay bills— but to be able to find alignment quickly and honestly because team members are honest about who they are and how they work? A DREAM COME TRUE!
3. A Sense of Humility and Confidence
Depending on the urgency of your need for more people, you may be tempted to hire the very first person you connect with and call it a day. STOP. Please do your due diligence (check references, background checks, etc.), with each applicant you’re considering. If those items check out and you’re ready to make a decision, trust yourself! No one knows your business or work style better than you do, which means you are the most qualified person to make this big decision. Take your time, weigh your options, and trust yourself to make the right call when you’re ready.
4. A Zest for Life
I LOVE contractors who love what they do but also have hobbies/vacations/friends/etc... You know, a life! Much of the creativity in this world does not come from the work we do sitting at the desk— it comes from our time away from the desk, solving life problems, consuming art, taking time off, etc. I love that my team has boundaries for their work/personal lives— it keeps us fresh, creative, and collaborative!
These skills and qualities are some of what I look for when I’m bringing someone new on to the TAC(t) team. When I have these qualities top of my mind during an interview, it’s much easier to see who would be a good fit for my team and who wouldn’t.
If you’re looking for more support, here’s two additional blog posts you may find helpful during your hiring process:
If you need some Marketing assistance but aren’t sure about hiring a single contractor, let’s chat! My clients need outsourced Marketing help, and that’s precisely what we do.