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Audition Candidates With Small Paid Projects Before Hiring

The cheapest way to evaluate a hire is to pay them for a small test project before making any commitment. During the relationship-building phase, give candidates a 10-hour project at their stated rate — $250 if they charge $25/hour. This tells you far more than any interview: how they communicate, whether they deliver on time, how they handle ambiguity, and whether their work quality matches their pitch. You can also use the exchange itself — how they handle the scoping, what questions they ask, how they structure the deliverable. Interview questions tell you what candidates think you want to hear. A paid project shows you how they actually work. Layer in chronological interviews where you ask for specific past achievements and the patterns behind them. This combination dramatically reduces the risk of a mis-hire.

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The cheapest way to evaluate a hire is to pay them for a small test project before making any commitment. During the relationship-building phase, give candidates a 10-hour project at their stated rate — $250 if they charge $25/hour. This tells you far more than any interview: how they communicate, whether they deliver on time, how they handle ambiguity, and whether their work quality matches their pitch. You can also use the exchange itself — how they handle the scoping, what questions they ask, how they structure the deliverable. Interview questions tell you what candidates think you want to hear. A paid project shows you how they actually work. Layer in chronological interviews where you ask for specific past achievements and the patterns behind them. This combination dramatically reduces the risk of a mis-hire.

Relevant Clips4

  • Answer27:28

    Chronological Interview Questions Paired with A Player

    Team up with another A player and conduct chronological interviews asking specific questions about past successes and future plans. Ask for specifics around achievements and use the patterns you discover to assess relevant competencies.

    → Canonical answer
  • Answer

    Use Small Paid Projects to Evaluate Candidates Before Hiring

    Give them small paid projects during the relationship-building phase. For example, if they charge $25/hour, give them a 10-hour project for $250 to evaluate their work quality and delivery.

    → Canonical answer
  • Answer

    Value Exchange Question as Favorite Money Opener

    Ask specific questions about time estimates, variations, and delivery schedules, then explain you need these details for budgeting time, money and attention - not for micromanagement.

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  • Answer1:17

    Using Email Exchanges to Assess Candidates Pre-Interview

    Use email exchanges and advice requests during relationship building. Ask candidates what they'd do in real situations you're facing to see their thinking process.

    → Canonical answer