We’re not going to sugarcoat things here: finding a good remote contractor is daunting. 

The reason is that it looks like everyone and their cousin is now a remote contractor. However, not all contractors are built the same way, something we all come to learn the hard way depending on our approach to hiring them.

After years of hiring, working with teams to hire remote contractors, and managing a lot of them globally, we want to offer some great tips about finding contractors who put in the work. What does this look like? Let’s find out below;

Use the right platforms: try to avoid general websites

We’ve come across businesses that go straight into platforms like Fiverr thinking they’ve hit gold. In most cases, these firms end up disappointed.

It’s not like Fivver is a bad place to find remote contractors. Far from that. However, it’s a place where meeting a bad nut could be easier. And you know, hiring a bad contractor is far worse than not even hiring one at all.

So where do you start your search for the greatest of remote contractors? A few places come to mind:

  • Use specialized agencies that actually vet their talent (yeah, we know it costs more, but so does hiring three cheap contractors to fix the mess the first one made). Examples include places like Arc.dev, Andela, and others.
  • Leverage professional marketplaces like Turing or TopTal
  • Don’t forget your network - because sometimes the best contractors are hiding in plain sight, just one LinkedIn connection away.

Look for proven experience

Knowing where to search for remote contractors is just the beginning. Now, anyone can come to you and claim they are a great one. But can they prove it?

This is where you look for portfolios, case studies, and testimonials. It’s also where to ask the right questions to get to know them better. Here’s what proven experience would look like: 

  • Their ability to handle communication blackouts without having a meltdown
  • Their awareness of time zone differences and that sometimes, "I'll do it later" doesn't work when your client is six time zones away
  • The self-discipline to deliver without someone breathing down their neck
  • The tech-savviness to troubleshoot their own issues without calling IT every five minutes

The remote work mindset of a contractor is non-negotiable

Once they’re a remote contractor, they should be great at working remotely, right? It may not always be the case.

Here's a plot twist - not everyone who says they are remote-working actually knows how to work remotely. 

In fact, we've seen brilliant professionals crash and burn in remote settings because they couldn't handle the solitude. 

Some have suffered in terms of productivity not because they’re bad, but because they find it difficult managing their own time.

When we're vetting remote contractors, we're looking for people who light up when they talk about their home office setup, not people who sound like they're describing prison time.

How self-motivated they are

In an office setting, you’re probably having a superior overseeing your tasks. Sometimes, they motivate you or other times to put pressure on you to complete tasks even when you’re not ‘in the mood’.

The situation is completely different for remote contractors. They don’t have managers physically making sure they complete tasks. What they have is their own self-motivation, which as a business, you’re supposed to trust them on. 

So how do you spot a remote contractor’s ability to get stuff done without someone playing taskmaster. Here’s to look out for when hiring:

  • They are great at setting their own deadlines (and actually meet them)
  • In most cases, they can come up with solutions before you even know there's a problem
  • As a business, you don’t have to give them daily reminders of "are we there yet?

The Communication Factor: Make It or Break It

If there's one hill we're willing to die on, it's this: amazing communication skills aren't just nice to have - they're absolutely essential. Which is why in a remote setup, clear communication is the difference between success and failure. 

A great contractor is supposed to ask the right questions, clarify expectations, and respond promptly. 

They aren’t supposed to disappear for days without updates. If they are vague or slow in responses during the hiring process, expect the same once the work begins.

Don’t get this wrong though. This is not about being on Slack all the time. When we talk about great communication, this is what we mean:

  • Contractors who reply to messages within a reasonable timeframe (and no, "whenever I feel like it" isn't reasonable)
  • Those who know how to explain complex issues without writing a novel - concise
  • Aren't afraid to ask the "dumb" questions that prevent smart mistakes
  • Keep you in the loop without drowning you in updates

Ready to accept and work on feedback

The popular saying that ‘no one is perfect’ is also true for contractors. So you don’t expect them to know everything. However, what makes a good contractor perfect is their ability to accept feedback and work on improvements. 

A great contractor is confident in their skills but also open to feedback. They don’t take constructive criticism personally and are willing to improve their work if needed.

How do you check this when hiring?

  • How does a contractor respond to revision requests?
  • Do they make changes quickly without arguments?
  • Can they accept feedback professionally?

The Bottom Line

We’ve met business leaders who told us “we’re lucky to find a great remote contractor.” Our comment is always and has always been that “finding a great remote contractor isn't about luck.”

So what is it about? it's about having a system that works like we have outlined above.

 It's about knowing what you want and not settling for less. It's about understanding that in the remote world, soft skills often matter the same way or probably more than technical skills.

It’s the reason why we usually tell our clients that what defines a great remote contractor isn't just about the work they can do. However, a great contractor is someone who can do the work - but consistently deliver, communicate effectively, and highly independent.

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