Hiring freelance developers has become a game-changer for businesses looking to scale quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re a startup aiming for rapid growth or an established business seeking specialized skills for a short-term project, freelancers provide the flexibility and expertise you need—without the lengthy hiring process of full-time employees.

However, evaluating a freelance developer is very different from hiring a traditional employee. Unlike full-time hires, freelancers don’t have an onboarding or training period—they must hit the ground running and deliver results immediately.

At Mandarix, we specialize in helping companies hire and assess top-tier development talent. This guide will walk you through the key skills to evaluate when hiring a freelancer, as well as the common mistakes to avoid in the selection process.

Why Hiring Freelance Developers is Different

Freelancers bring speed and efficiency to the hiring process, but they also require a different evaluation strategy. Unlike full-time employees who receive training, mentoring, and ongoing evaluations, freelance developers are expected to:

✔ Work independently and deliver results quickly
✔ Handle project-based work with minimal supervision
✔ Communicate effectively across different time zones
✔ Manage their own deadlines and quality control

For businesses, this means you can’t rely on traditional hiring methods like aptitude tests or college credentials when evaluating a freelance developer. Instead, focus on real-world skills, experience, and client feedback.

4 Key Skills to Look for When Evaluating Freelance Developers

When hiring freelance software developers, the right evaluation process can save you time, money, and headaches. Here are the four most important skills to assess:

1. Technical Skills: Do They Have the Right Expertise?

Freelance developers don’t get a training period, so they must be immediately proficient in the required technologies. This means that evaluating technical skills is a top priority.

✔ Assess their coding ability in relevant languages (JavaScript, Python, PHP, etc.)
✔ Review their past projects, GitHub repositories, and portfolio
✔ Conduct a short, project-based coding test that reflects real-world tasks

Pro Tip: Instead of theoretical coding tests, assign a small real-world task relevant to your project. This ensures that the freelancer can apply their skills in a practical way.

2. Communication Skills: Can They Work Remotely and Collaborate Effectively?

Unlike in-house employees, freelancers work remotely, making clear and efficient communication a necessity.

✔ Can they explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders?
✔ Do they respond promptly and professionally to messages?
✔ Can they document their work so other team members can understand it?

💡 Red Flag: If a freelancer struggles to communicate clearly during the interview, they may cause collaboration issues down the road.

3. Remote Working Experience: Are They Self-Sufficient?

Freelancers must be highly self-disciplined, as they won’t have a manager checking in daily. Experienced remote developers should:

✔ Be proactive in managing deadlines and updating progress
✔ Have a track record of working on remote projects
✔ Know how to collaborate using remote-friendly tools like Slack, Trello, and GitHub

💡 Pro Tip: Ask candidates how they’ve handled missed deadlines, unexpected challenges, and working across time zones in previous remote projects.

4. Client References & Past Work: Do They Have a Proven Track Record?

The best way to predict a freelancer’s performance is by checking their past client feedback and portfolio.

✔ Look for testimonials on platforms like Upwork, Toptal, or LinkedIn
✔ Request direct references from previous clients
✔ Examine their portfolio for complexity, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability

💡 Pro Tip: Reach out to one of their past clients to ask about their reliability, communication, and ability to meet deadlines.

Mark Campbell - Evaluating Emerging Tech

2 Common Hiring Mistakes to Avoid

While assessing freelance developers, avoid these common pitfalls:

1. Relying on Aptitude Tests Instead of Practical Skills

Many companies use coding aptitude tests to evaluate developers, but these often don’t reflect real-world ability.

❌ Aptitude tests measure interview preparedness—not actual development skills
❌ Freelancers excel when assessed on real-world project execution, not theory
❌ A better approach is to assign a small, paid test project

💡 Instead of aptitude tests, focus on past projects, portfolio work, and live coding exercises that mirror your actual project needs.

2. Overvaluing College Credentials

❌ A developer’s college degree doesn’t guarantee coding ability
❌ Freelancers should be judged on experience, not where they studied
❌ Many top freelance developers are self-taught or have alternative education

💡 Instead of college degrees, evaluate:
✔ Their portfolio and past projects
✔ Their ability to solve real-world coding problems
✔ Their client references and reliability

Best Practices for Hiring the Right Freelance Developer

Now that you know what skills to look for and mistakes to avoid, here’s a step-by-step hiring process to ensure you find the right freelance developer for your business:

1. Define Your Requirements Clearly

Before starting the hiring process, make sure you can answer:
✔ What specific skills and technologies do you need?
✔ What is the scope and timeline of your project?
✔ Is this a short-term or long-term freelance engagement?

2. Source Freelancers from Reliable Platforms

Where you find your developers matters. Use high-quality talent platforms that vet their freelancers, such as:

• Toptal – Elite developers with rigorous screening
• Flexiple – High-quality developers at competitive rates
• Upwork – Large pool, but requires careful vetting

3. Conduct a Short, Practical Test

Instead of theoretical coding challenges, assign a short, real-world project that:
✔ Tests their technical ability in the required programming language
✔ Assesses problem-solving and debugging skills
✔ Measures efficiency and code quality

4. Interview for Communication & Remote Work Experience

Since freelancers work remotely, ensure they:
✔ Can communicate effectively via email, Slack, or video calls
✔ Have prior experience handling remote projects
✔ Are proactive in managing their work and deadlines

5. Check Client References & Portfolio Work

Always:
✔ Review their portfolio for past work quality
✔ Ask for direct client references
✔ Check freelance platform reviews (if applicable)

Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Freelancer for Your Business

Hiring the right freelance developer is not just about technical skills—it’s about finding someone reliable, communicative, and experienced in remote work.

Recap of Key Hiring Tips:

✅ Prioritize real-world skills over aptitude tests
✅ Evaluate communication and remote work experience
✅ Use client references and past work as key hiring indicators
✅ Source talent from high-quality freelancer platforms

At Mandarix, we help businesses find and evaluate the best freelance developers for their needs.

🚀 Need help hiring the right developer? Contact Mandarix today!

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