Freelancing Assessment Results: Is Their Importance Overestimated?
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In the ever-evolving world of freelancing, demonstrating one's skills and expertise is crucial for success. While freelancing skills tests have gained popularity in recent years, they are not the sole means of showcasing talent.
For freelancers, skills tests offer a platform to showcase verified abilities and differentiate themselves in a competitive market. These tests, often accompanied by certifications acquired through rigorous exams, provide tangible proof of expertise that clients trust and value, potentially leading to more job offers and the ability to command higher rates. However, freelancers also benefit from building real-world experience through actual projects, portfolios, and client references, which can be equally or more persuasive.
From the employers' perspective, skills tests offer a standardized way to assess candidate capabilities objectively and focus on merit. Many companies are shifting towards skill-based hiring that prioritizes actual talent and results over formal degrees or credentials. This approach reduces hiring risks and turnover when employees are a better fit. Nevertheless, employers also look for demonstrated experience, certifications, and portfolio quality alongside soft skills such as communication and adaptability.
Alternative methods for showcasing skills and expertise include certifications from recognized bodies that validate proficiency, online portfolios or platforms like GitHub and Behance displaying real work samples, client testimonials and professional references that vouch for quality and reliability, freelance project experience that builds practical skills and a proven track record, and soft skills demonstration through interviews and project management showing professionalism and communication abilities.
In today's gig economy, a combination of tested knowledge, practical experience, credible portfolios, and soft skills is the most effective way for freelancers to showcase expertise and for employers to evaluate talent. A passing score in a skills test is typically above 50%, but employers often look for higher scores.
Employers can set up employee time tracking when hiring freelancers via platforms like Hubstaff Talent, as the feature is fee-free. This ensures that clients pay only for the hours the freelancer has worked on their project and contractors receive a fair remuneration for their efforts. Tests are usually a set of questions with multiple choices, and the score is based on the number of correct answers. Freelancers can take independent tests, such as those provided by MindTools and BrainBench.
In 2016, freelancers made up 35% of the U.S. workforce, according to Forbes. More than 53 million people in the U.S. are freelancers, contributing about $715 billion to the economy. During the interviewing period, freelancers can request or employers can offer testing tasks that should be as close to the actual work required as possible. A well-polished portfolio is an effective way for freelancers to showcase their work, including success stories, detailed samples, and references.
While some people see the potential of skills tests, others are skeptical about their effectiveness. Offering trial periods and using time tracking can help both freelancers and employers to make informed decisions about each other's suitability. Testing tasks and trial periods provide a more immediate and practical assessment of a candidate's skills and suitability compared to percentages earned in exams or resumes.
In conclusion, freelancing skills tests and certifications are valuable for validating skills and building trust, but they are not the only means to demonstrate skills and expertise. A combination of tested knowledge, practical experience, credible portfolios, and soft skills is the most effective way for freelancers to showcase their expertise and for employers to evaluate talent in today’s gig economy.
- Hubstaff Talent offers a feature for employers to set up employee time tracking when hiring freelancers, ensuring fair payment for hours worked.
- Freelancers can take independent tests, such as those provided by MindTools and BrainBench, to showcase their verified abilities and differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
- Employee monitoring and time tracking, in combination with a well-polished portfolio and trial periods, provide a more immediate and practical assessment of a candidate's skills and suitability.
- In today's gig economy, the combination of education-and-self-development, career-development, online-education, learning, and blogging can supplement skills tests and certifications in demonstrating a freelancer's expertise.
