Hiring
Verified@ivangdavila
npx machina-cli add skill @ivangdavila/hiring --openclawPlatform 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
- Define scope precisely — Deliverables, timeline, budget, success criteria
- Write compelling job post — Include context, requirements, what success looks like
- Screen candidates — Portfolio quality, relevant experience, communication, reviews
- Verify before hiring — Test task or paid trial for significant engagements
- Negotiate rates — Know market rates; prefer fixed-price or milestones over hourly
- Contract before work — IP assignment, NDA, payment terms, termination clause
- Structured onboarding — Access credentials, project brief, communication channels
- Milestone payments — Never 100% upfront; tie payments to deliverables
- 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")
Overview
This skill helps you hire effectively for tasks you can’t do yourself by guiding platform selection, candidate vetting, contract setup, and payment management. It covers choosing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, TaskRabbit, and 99designs, plus a practical hiring checklist, red flags, rate benchmarks, and legal basics.
How This Skill Works
Choose the right platform for the task type (development, design, quick tasks, or physical work). Screen candidates with a defined scope, test where appropriate, and formalize payouts with milestones and contracts. Then onboard, monitor progress, and document outcomes for future engagements.
When to Use It
- You need skilled remote work (development, design, or writing) from vetted talent.
- You want quick fixed-price tasks with predefined deliverables.
- You need senior or pre-screened talent for critical projects.
- You’re coordinating physical tasks requiring local presence and verification.
- You want to delegate tasks to AI agents or model-driven workflows with cost control.
Quick Start
- Step 1: Define scope precisely—deliverables, timeline, budget, and success criteria.
- Step 2: Choose platform based on task type and post a clear job with requirements.
- Step 3: Screen candidates, run a test or paid trial if needed, set milestones, onboard, and track progress.
Best Practices
- Define scope precisely: deliverables, timeline, budget, and success criteria.
- Write a compelling job post with context, requirements, and success metrics.
- Screen candidates thoroughly: portfolio quality, relevant experience, communication, and reviews.
- Verify before hire: use a test task or paid trial for significant engagements.
- Use contracts and milestones: IP terms, NDA, payment terms, and clear acceptance criteria.
Example Use Cases
- A startup hires a frontend developer on Upwork, using a milestone-based contract and an NDA.
- A marketing team posts a quick fixed-price social asset task on Fiverr with a 48-hour deadline.
- An engineering team engages a senior backend developer via Toptal for a 3-month critical module.
- A rebranding project uses a 99designs design contest to generate multiple branding concepts.
- A field operation uses TaskRabbit to dispatch a local verifier for an in-person inspection.
