Hey guys, exquisitejobs is my most recent weekend project. It's my solution the the crappy situation that is freelance job boards on the Internet.
To preempt all the "why another job board" comments, let me explain how I think exquisitejobs is better.
Most freelance job boards have super low signal to noise ratios. Job posts are mostly "build a Facebook plus groupon clone for $500" and most of the applications are "we are super A++++++ firm. We have reviewed your project and are ready to start immediately".
Recently https://tinyproj.com/ launched, and solved half that problem. Tinyproj hand approved projects, then sent them out by email. The result was quality projects being delivered to my email. This was great. However, I applied to several projects, and all the responses were along the lines of "so many people applied, please jump through hoop x,y and z to show interest." Without filtering both jobs and applicants, the jobs quality increased, but the application quality didn't, and overwhelmed employers.
By hand selecting jobs, and allowing freelancers in by invite only, we can carefully balance the two, making sure employers aren't overwhelmed by low quality applications, and that there are always interesting jobs for hackers.
We are in closed beta for a bit so that we can build up enough jobs and freelancers to make sure we can have a productive launch for everyone. If you are interested in hiring the best freelancers, or being presented with quality hand selected jobs, sign up, mention your HN name, etc. as long as your quality is decent, you'll probably be admitted.
Things that would qualify a plumbing job as "good" or worth posting on the board include
-Budget
-Expectations
-Timeframe
Having realistic expectations for each of those ensures an overall quality. As if the pay and timeframe are too low, without lower expectations, the job has less chance of being approved.
Other then that, we may look at how many plumbers are active on the board, as compared to electricians and carpenters. If we need more plumbing jobs, we will be more likely to admit good plumbing opportunities. Other factors play in on a job by job basis.
I do think this is a better idea than the existing boards.
But I won't use it yet. I would be interested after it has traction --
1) As a hiring manager, I want a broad pool of talent to select from. That pool does need whittling, but how do I know that your selections match my specific needs?
2) As a developer, there is a ton of work out there. It is nice for you to filter out the fluff, but the price to me is that my competition is stiffer. If I'm so great that nobody can compete with me, I don't need this site in the first place.
Again, great idea. But you have to execute on getting broad adoption before it will truly be worth something.
I am not sure a web-based job board is the ultimate answer to finding good jobs or candidates.
I am coming around to the idea that what top hackers probably should do is build small firms or consultancies where (in addition to the hackers) there are a small number of "rainmakers" who have a full-time role finding appropriate projects for the firm and hackers there-in.
Now, if only I was qualified to join such a place . . .
What would you suggest as an alternative? I would like to convey the focus on projects more, but "project board" doesn't have the same ring? Any suggestions?
Hey guys, exquisitejobs is my most recent weekend project. It's my solution the the crappy situation that is freelance job boards on the Internet.
To preempt all the "why another job board" comments, let me explain how I think exquisitejobs is better.
Most freelance job boards have super low signal to noise ratios. Job posts are mostly "build a Facebook plus groupon clone for $500" and most of the applications are "we are super A++++++ firm. We have reviewed your project and are ready to start immediately".
Recently https://tinyproj.com/ launched, and solved half that problem. Tinyproj hand approved projects, then sent them out by email. The result was quality projects being delivered to my email. This was great. However, I applied to several projects, and all the responses were along the lines of "so many people applied, please jump through hoop x,y and z to show interest." Without filtering both jobs and applicants, the jobs quality increased, but the application quality didn't, and overwhelmed employers.
By hand selecting jobs, and allowing freelancers in by invite only, we can carefully balance the two, making sure employers aren't overwhelmed by low quality applications, and that there are always interesting jobs for hackers.
We are in closed beta for a bit so that we can build up enough jobs and freelancers to make sure we can have a productive launch for everyone. If you are interested in hiring the best freelancers, or being presented with quality hand selected jobs, sign up, mention your HN name, etc. as long as your quality is decent, you'll probably be admitted.
Thanks.