How to Conduct Background Checks for Freelancers

Hiring freelancers for important projects can be a delicate process. You want to be sure that the freelancer you’re hiring is reliable, trustworthy, and qualified. One of the best ways to ensure you’re working with a professional is to conduct background checks for freelancers.

A background check can give you valuable information about the person or company you want to hire and help you decide if they fit your project.

But how do you go about conducting such a check? What information should you include?

We’ll break it down for you here, so keep reading if you want to learn more about background-checking freelancers.

What is a Background Check?

A background check reviews records, documents, and other sources that help employers identify potential candidates for hire.

The purpose of the check is to verify the candidate’s identity, education, criminal records, and previous employment history.

Background checks are increasingly becoming a standard practice for companies hiring contractors and freelancers.

They provide employers with a way to protect their business from any potential risks or liabilities related to the contractor being hired.

Also, they can help employers make better hiring decisions by providing a more comprehensive understanding of who they are considering for the job.

The scope of information that can be collected in a background check may vary based on what an employer needs to know about the candidate and what is legally allowed within the jurisdiction.

Commonly checked items include criminal history records, driving records, education verification, job history verification, and credit reports.

Depending on the nature of the position and jurisdiction laws, additional items may be requested, such as drug testing or character references.

Types of Background Checks You Should Consider

It’s essential to conduct background checks on freelancers you consider hiring.

So what kinds of background checks should you conduct? It may depend on the type of freelancer you are thinking of hiring and the job they will be doing, but here are some types to consider:

Criminal Record

A criminal record search looks into an individual’s past criminal activity. Depending on your company and the type of work that needs to be done, this may be your most crucial type.

Identity Verification

Identity verification searches help ensure that a freelancer is telling the truth about their name and other personal information, such as their date of birth, address, email address, or social media accounts.

Employment History

When a freelancer has worked in previous roles, verifying their employment history is always a good idea.

You should request references from prior employers or other sources, such as clients using their services.

This can give you great insights into a potential hire’s professional skills and experience.

Education & Credentials

Verifying a freelancer’s education and professional credentials is another way to ensure they are qualified for your job requirements.

The freelancer may provide documentation supporting this information, but if not, then additional research, like contacting educational institutions or trade organizations, may be required.

How to Conduct Background Checks for Freelancers

Before hiring a freelancer, performing a background check is essential. This helps ensure the freelancer is who they say they are.

Also, it can provide insight into their experience, qualifications, and reputation. Here’s how to do a background check on a potential freelancer:

Check Online Reviews

The internet is a fantastic resource for quickly learning about someone’s reputation.

Check out online reviews of the freelancer’s past work, such as feedback from online marketplaces, social media sites, and professional networking groups.

This will give you an idea of how reliable they are, what kind of work they specialize in, and if clients have had a good experience working with them.

Perform an Online Search

Doing an online search for freelancers can help you learn about their past experiences and credentials beyond what’s listed on their resume or portfolio.

It can also alert you to any red flags or areas of concern that might not be obvious on other platform searches.

Verify Qualifications

Finally, verify the qualifications listed on the freelancer’s resume or profile page. You may need to ask the freelancer for proof of education or certifications if required for specific jobs.

You should also check with previous employers to confirm any job titles or roles they held previously.

This information will help you determine whether they have the skills and experience to complete your project successfully.

Check References

Ask former employers and colleagues for feedback on the freelancer’s qualifications and past performance.

Run a Credit Check

If the freelancer handles financial matters, running a credit check can provide insight into their reliability and integrity when managing money.

Tips to Verify a Freelancer’s References

Verifying references is one of the best ways to ensure accurate freelancers’ background checks.

However, it can be not easy to do this on your own, so here are some tips to help you get started:

Ask the right questions

First, you’ll want to ask the right questions. In addition to basic questions like how long they have known the freelancer and what experience they’ve had working with them, consider asking more specific questions depending on the type of job you’re hiring them for.

For example, ask about their communication and writing style if you’re looking to hire a writer.

Check more than one source

You should also check more than one source. It’s not enough to ask former employers.

Look for testimonials from past clients and contact people who have worked with them in different roles.

This will give you a fuller picture of the freelancer’s experience and skill set.

Don’t forget online sources

Finally, remember that you can find information online. Social media accounts like

LinkedIn is always a good source of information about a freelancer’s background.

Professional networks like Medium or Behance can provide valuable insights into their work history and accomplishments.

By following these tips, you can verify a freelancer’s references quickly and accurately. This will help you make an informed decision when hiring a freelancer for your project.

Guidelines for Ongoing Monitoring of Freelancers

As you might expect, you can’t just conduct background checks on freelancers once and call it a day,

Even if you get precise initial results, it’s important to monitor or oversee the freelancer’s activities regularly.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when doing ongoing monitoring of your freelance staff:

1. Establish clear expectations of the freelancer’s responsibilities and duties. Explain what type of work they will be expected to do and how they will be evaluated.
2. Set up an agreement that outlines what is expected of the freelancer, including their responsibilities when they are paid when they get feedback on their performance, and other details.
3. Monitor the quality of the freelancer’s work to ensure that it meets your standards and expectations.
4. Check in with your freelance team regularly for updates or to see how things are going with the project.
5. Ask for feedback from freelancers on their performance and how you can help them improve or better execute their tasks in the future.
6. Ensure that all financial transactions between your business and the freelancer align with applicable laws, regulations, and codes of conduct for your industry or specific project.
7. Provide resources for resolving conflicts between yourself and your freelance staff quickly and amicably whenever possible.

With these tips in mind, you should be well-equipped to effectively manage any freelance worker you have working with your business!

Conclusion

As a hirer, conducting background checks on freelancers is essential to vetting potential candidates.

You need to ensure that the person you are thinking of hiring has the skills and experience they claim to have and also confirm their identity, reliability, and integrity.

A thorough background check can help you make an informed hiring decision and help protect you against any future risks.

Furthermore, investing in a thorough background check helps create trust in the freelancer-hirer relationship.

It’s a step that can save any hire time, money, and resources. After all, hiring someone with confidence and who you can trust to be who they say they are is always better.