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For every microjob you post you will receive a minimum of ten bids. Some of you will receive substantially more. Don't be alarmed. Just follow the heuristics of past PJN Employers who have dealt with this situation, presented below.
Step One: Short listing
Separate the candidates who meet your basic requirements from those who do not ask yourself the following questions:
• Does she/he have the necessary basic skills that I asked for?
• Does she/he have references if I asked for them?
• Is there a project portfolio that I can look into?
• Is the price ok?
• Is the timing ok?
This first screening usually narrows down your choices to about five.
Step Two: Skyping
In your bid window, push the skype icons and have a live conversation with the microjobbers. If any of the candidates seems inaccessible (difficult to reach by phone, Skype, cell phone or voice messages, and if even emails that bounce back, this is not a good sign. Sometimes this can be symptomatic of delays that are experienced as some PajamaWorkers become successful and overextend themselves. They want to do as many jobs as possible but are unable to do them all.
Step Three: Problem Sniffing
While you are talking to the candidate our PJN Problem Sniffer might help:
Chicken and Egg. You cannot have experience without someone giving you a chance. But you are not getting a break because you do not have the experience. Beginners cannot bargain big money, but they may be able to make up their lack of experience in enthusiasm and low prices. PajamaWorkers who are unable to give you references because of their newness in the industry shouldn’t necessarily cause alarm, assuming you don't mind their lack of experience. On the other hand, experienced PajamaWorkers who cannot/will not give you references are troubling.
Tools. Find out if the person has the necessary software and hardware to do your microjob.
if you need the work done within a tight window, a PajamaWorker who is unable to commit to your window of time should be avoided.
Yes. Someone who says yes to everything may be hard up for work and will promise anything but will probably have difficulties in delivery
Payment. While requests for good-faith deposits are understandable, delivery of full payment before work is delivered should be avoided. If possible try not to give any deposit. Mostly homework is done on the basis of trust. However a 20% advance is not unreasonable.