Amid shifts in the economy and significant changes in worker preferences, the number of freelancers and gig workers in India has steadily been on the rise. Employers—particularly in the consumer goods, consulting, technology, development/impact, and finance sectors—are utilizing more freelance talent to complement their full-time workforce and meet their business objectives. 

Related: E-book: Dynamics of the Gig Economy 

Gig workers can provide flexible, short-term solutions, but challenges remain when it comes to proper vetting and ongoing engagement. Below are some tips that will help employers fine-tune their recruiting processes so that they can find the freelancers and gig workers they need. 

Related: The Rise of Gig Workers and Moonlighting in India 

1. Provide an accurate job description. To find the right talent for an assignment or project, employers must be transparent with their objectives and expectations. Take the time to carefully craft an appropriate summary of the job and explain the types of tasks that the contractor will complete. Be sure to include project scope, assignment duration, and the required skills and competencies.
2. Utilize credible freelancing platforms. Employers should take advantage of talent network marketplaces to discover available contractors. Platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour can help you access a greater number of skilled gig workers, especially those with high ratings from former assignments. Sites like Indeed and LinkedIn can also help you expand your reach, even for contract assignments.
3. Conduct a background check. This should be a standard part of your recruitment process, regardless of how the worker is classified. Utilizing a reputable vendor to conduct background checks will help you minimize risks and liabilities.
4. Look beyond the CV. When appropriate, employers can also use skills-based hiring to gauge a worker’s capabilities. This will help ensure the person can do the job for which they’re being considered and can reveal strengths (or weaknesses) that may not be obvious from a resume alone.
5. Give them a trial project. Employers can engage interested gig workers in a risk-free trial project to evaluate their skills and workstyle. This is a great way for contractors to showcase their talents and prove themselves to their potential employers.
6. Make a clear offer. Once an employer is ready to make an offer, the professional terms and conditions need to be very clear. A contract should be mutually developed between the candidate and employer.
7. Keep them engaged. Maintain an open line of communication with your freelancers and gig workers, even after they’ve completed their assignments. Building a bench of freelance talent that you can call upon as needs arise will save you valuable time and resources and help you reach your business objectives more quickly. 

Connect with the Acara team to learn more about how we can work together to meet your talent needs. 

This blog was authored by Acara’s Sashikala Skylab.