How to Hire for Your Startup (Without Getting Scammed, Ghosted, or Bankrupted)

Let’s Be Honest: Most Founders Suck at Hiring

Look, you’re scrappy. You launched a business. You wear 15 hats. But hiring? That’s where most founders go from visionary to victim. And I get it — talent is expensive, flaky, or flat-out fake these days. So you search Fiverr, Upwork, or that Facebook group with a name like “Virtual Assistants for $3/hr,” and boom — your task is in the hands of someone who disappears the moment the deadline hits.

The Real Problem Isn’t the Freelancer… It’s You

Don’t clutch your pearls. This is tough love.

You hired someone without a clear scope, no onboarding, no accountability system, and you paid based on who was cheapest — not who was best. That’s not hiring. That’s gambling. And if your business is the casino? You’re the one getting cleaned out.

Here’s How to Hire Like a Startup That Plans to Survive

Tip 1: Hire a Project Manager First

You’re not as organized as you think. A good project manager can do everything you suck at — build timelines, track deliverables, chase freelancers, and make sure you actually finish what you start. Hire one before you bring on a full team. It’ll cost less in the long run, and they’ll save you from your own chaos.

Tip 2: Don’t “Shop with Your Pockets”

The cheapest option always costs the most. You’ll either get ghosted, get garbage, or get stuck paying again to fix what wasn’t done right the first time. Stop looking for unicorns at Shein prices. You’re building a business, not trying to stretch a coupon.

Tip 3: Use Tools That Keep You in Control

• Monday.com: Great for inviting freelancers as guests (no extra seats).
  
• Notion: Free, flexible, and powerful if set up right.
  
• ClickUp: If you like to micromanage with a pretty dashboard.

Use one. Not your inbox. Not DMs. Not sticky notes and prayers.

Tip 4: Give Instructions Like a CEO, Not a Babysitter

Set expectations upfront. Deliverables, deadlines, communication style. Don’t assume freelancers “should know.” Most are juggling multiple clients. If your task isn’t detailed, it’s going to the bottom of their list.

Bonus: Download our Startup Onboarding Checklist to keep things tight and right from day one.

Tip 5: Don’t Confuse Trust with Laziness

“I just trust people to figure it out” is code for “I didn’t feel like creating systems.” You don’t need to micromanage, but you do need to manage. That includes check-ins, feedback, and consequences. Otherwise, welcome to Freelancer Neverland — where your projects never land.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

At Worksharks, we vet, hire, and manage freelancers for you. No guesswork. No ghosting. No BS. If you’re over the chaos and ready for someone to own the process, we’ve got you.

✋ Need someone to make sure your projects don’t fall apart?

Hire smarter. Skip the scams. Let Worksharks handle it.

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