Advice for Employers

Are you new to FreelanceStudents? Here are some useful tips:

General

  • When working with a student on a freelance or a project basis, communicate your requirements clearly and ensure that they have been understood.
  • If you are offering an internship, please focus on providing students with a real training opportunity. If you are after slave labour, then FreelanceStudents is not the place! Internships can be exciting and challenging for both parties, so we strongly recommend that at the beginning of the internship, you sit down with the student to ensure that it will be mutually beneficial and work out the details so that no-one gets taken advantage of.
  • Students will be ambitious and talented, however remember that many are unlikely to have commercial work experience.
  • Be patient - many students will be taking their first step onto the professional ladder and may need some guidance.
  • Students usually have busy daytime schedules, so gain a good understanding of their availability and preferred contact method.
  • Once you’ve chosen a candidate, remember to remove the job from the Job Board and to let other students know that the role has been filled.
  • Communication, communication, and yes communication. Communicate regularly with the student and inform them promptly of any changes to your circumstances.

Posting a Job

  • Write a short job description that describes exactly what you want. A well thought-out description will always attract more quality applicants.
  • Contact and application details are to be written in the “How to Apply” box only. This is to ensure that only subscribers have access to the jobs.
  • Post your job once only. There is no need to post your job in every sub-category that applies. Students have access to all jobs. If your job spans more than one category, post in the category that focuses on the key skill set.
  • Once the time has elapsed on a job, it will show as “Expired” in your account area and a notification will be sent to your contact email address. The job can be edited and re-posted if no suitable applicants have been found.

Payment

  • Be absolutely clear with the chosen candidate as to what is expected (e.g. the deliverables, the due date, and time commitment) for the agreed payment. If necessary, put it writing.
  • Ensure that you pay promptly once the job is completed! Any delay in money owed will provide an unwelcome distraction from a student’s studies.
  • Pay fairly. Remember most students are seeking the additional cash to help fund their further education.

Work Experience

  • Government legislation in respect of the National Minimum Wage means that UK employers can no longer offer unpaid work experience, unless they are oofering it as part of a course placement. There are exemptions (e.g. volunteers). This topic was covered in more detail under the employer’s FAQs and we strongly recommend that you read the text here.

Health & Safety

  • If work is being carried out at your premises please ensure that you have all the necessary health and safety aspects in place (e.g. materials, insurance, etc).
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