The contracting business is fast-moving, the right staffing of projects is demanding, and a close exchange with the customer is essential in the staffing process. Usually there is too little time to put detailed project descriptions together. Time ranges and other outline data is roughly specified, project tasks and responsibilities are kept very short, and sometimes several projects are combined in one project posting. The shortage of skilled workers often makes finding candidates for IT, engineering and life sciences projects a challenge and pragmatism prevails when it comes to project offerings.
Our advice at this point: the effort to make a project description as attractive as possible for the freelancer is worth it. Get more suitable applications to your project posting from now on – succeed with the following five tips.
Tip 1: Project title
The title is the flagship of your project. It is the first thing potential applicants notice and should quickly convey to the freelancer telling him if the project could be suitable for him. Therefore, look for a project title that is as descriptive as possible.
The title should answer the following questions “at a glance”:
- Who are you looking for?
- What is the task focus or the most important requirement in your project?
- What skills does the freelancer need?
Keep in mind that in case of doubt, the freelancer will decide to click on a project or not based on the chosen title. Take advantage of this knowledge and invest a little more time in finding the right project title.
By the way, feel free to be a bit creative to stand out from other project postings. Test how project announcements are received by your target group.
Tip 2: Project description
Start the project description with a small introduction about the hiring company. Some basic data, such as the size, corporate culture and vision of the company are sufficient here. In many cases you may have specifications from the customer available for that part.
In the next step, you should list the project goals and main tasks of the freelancer within the project. It is best to stick to the must-haves: what must the freelancer you are looking for really be able to do? What is the minimum amount of experience he or she must have for the project? By specifying only your must-have requirements, you expand the pool of suitable candidates and may be able to fill your project faster.
After you have listed the necessary skills, you can now proceed with the nice-to-have skills. Make sure to name these as desired requirements.
Tip 3: Additional information
In the next step, specify the most important framework data for project implementation. Specify the remote share of the overall project, e.g. with a percentage. The higher the remote share, the better.
State the start date and the expected end date, or the planned duration of the project. Even if you want to fill the project as soon as possible, it is worth specifying a potential start date in the following week or at least the latest start date.
Specifying the location for the project is essential. Include the correct zip code and location, even if the project can be staffed completely remotely.
Tip 4: Hourly rate
You certainly know what the budget is for the freelancer’s assignment at the client’s site and know the common hourly rates in different markets. Based on this, always try to give a range for the hourly rate. This information usually increases the number of applications for the project. The freelancer can check in advance whether his hourly rate is within this range, and you have a basis for discussion for the negotiation talks.
Tip 5: Compliance
Make sure that the ad does not contain any incorrect wording that could indicate bogus self-employment.
You should never use the following words or phrases in your project description:
- Employee salary
- earnings, income fixed working hours
- fixed structures
- You work in close integration/collaboration/coordination with the team
- Services according to specifications/instructions/instructions
- You become part of the team
You should use the following words or phrases in your project description:
- Freelancer, Freelancer, External Freelancer
- fee, consultant rate, daily rate
- works self-determined
- provides services xy independently/on own responsibility
- professional/substantive cooperation with the team regarding the progress of the project
- You advise regarding the control …/optimization of the processes
- You advise/coach on leadership models, management strategies etc.
You are looking for the right freelancer for your project?