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")