How do I install the Hiring skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add modbender/hiring in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Hiring safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Independent scanners report: SkillSpector: PASS, Skill Scanner: PASS. Capability flags: docs only. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Hiring?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Hiring free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Hiring?

modbender (@modbender) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Hiring by modbender — Agent Skill

Name: Hiring
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Author: modbender

File contents

Platform Selection

Task Type	Platform	Why
Development, design, writing	Upwork, Freelancer.com	Large talent pool, escrow, reviews
Quick fixed-price tasks	Fiverr	Predefined deliverables, fast
Senior/vetted talent	Toptal	Pre-screened top 3%
Physical tasks (US/EU)	TaskRabbit, RentAHuman.ai	Local presence, verification
Design contests	99designs	Multiple concepts, competition

For API integration details, see platforms.md.

Hiring Checklist

Define scope precisely — Deliverables, timeline, budget, success criteria
Write compelling job post — Include context, requirements, what success looks like
Screen candidates — Portfolio quality, relevant experience, communication, reviews
Verify before hiring — Test task or paid trial for significant engagements
Negotiate rates — Know market rates; prefer fixed-price or milestones over hourly
Contract before work — IP assignment, NDA, payment terms, termination clause
Structured onboarding — Access credentials, project brief, communication channels
Milestone payments — Never 100% upfront; tie payments to deliverables
Track and document — Log hours, deliverables, feedback for future reference

Red Flags

Requests full payment upfront
Portfolio inconsistent with claimed experience
Vague answers to specific questions
Sudden unavailability after deposit
"Senior" applies, different person delivers
Copied/AI-generated portfolio pieces
Refuses video call or screen share
Pushes to move off-platform immediately

Rate Benchmarks

Check current market rates at platforms.md. General guidance:

Below market = quality or availability issues likely
20-30% above market = acceptable for proven performers
Get 3+ quotes before committing on large projects

Contracts

For contract templates and payment structures, see contracts.md.

Legal Essentials

Before engaging contractors, review legal.md for:

Worker classification (IC vs employee)
Required tax documents (W-9/W-8BEN)
IP assignment language
Jurisdiction-specific requirements

Physical Tasks

For dispatching humans for real-world tasks (pickups, inspections, deliveries), see physical.md.

Hiring AI Agents

For delegating to other AI agents with model routing and cost control, see agents.md.

Contractor Management

Track per contractor:

Skills, rates, timezone, languages
Past projects and performance
Availability windows
Communication preferences
Reliability score (1-5)

After each engagement:

Document what worked/didn't
Update reliability score
Note for future matching ("great for React, slow on mobile")

---name: hiringdescription: Hire humans or AI agents for tasks you cannot do yourself, with platform selection, vetting, contracts, and payment management.--- ## Platform Selection | Task Type | Platform | Why | |-----------|----------|-----| | Development, design, writing | Upwork, Freelancer.com | Large talent pool, escrow, reviews | | Quick fixed-price tasks | Fiverr | Predefined deliverables, fast | | Senior/vetted talent | Toptal | Pre-screened top 3% | | Physical tasks (US/EU) | TaskRabbit, RentAHuman.ai | Local presence, verification | | Design contests | 99designs | Multiple concepts, competition | For API integration details, see `platforms.md`. ## Hiring Checklist 1. **Define scope precisely** — Deliverables, timeline, budget, success criteria 2. **Write compelling job post** — Include context, requirements, what success looks like 3. **Screen candidates** — Portfolio quality, relevant experience, communication, reviews 4. **Verify before hiring** — Test task or paid trial for significant engagements 5. **Negotiate rates** — Know market rates; prefer fixed-price or milestones over hourly 6. **Contract before work** — IP assignment, NDA, payment terms, termination clause 7. **Structured onboarding** — Access credentials, project brief, communication channels 8. **Milestone payments** — Never 100% upfront; tie payments to deliverables 9. **Track and document** — Log hours, deliverables, feedback for future reference ## Red Flags - Requests full payment upfront - Portfolio inconsistent with claimed experience - Vague answers to specific questions - Sudden unavailability after deposit - "Senior" applies, different person delivers - Copied/AI-generated portfolio pieces - Refuses video call or screen share - Pushes to move off-platform immediately ## Rate Benchmarks Check current market rates at `platforms.md`. General guidance: - Below market = quality or availability issues likely - 20-30% above market = acceptable for proven performers - Get 3+ quotes before committing on large projects ## Contracts For contract templates and payment structures, see `contracts.md`. ## Legal Essentials Before engaging contractors, review `legal.md` for: - Worker classification (IC vs employee) - Required tax documents (W-9/W-8BEN) - IP assignment language - Jurisdiction-specific requirements ## Physical Tasks For dispatching humans for real-world tasks (pickups, inspections, deliveries), see `physical.md`. ## Hiring AI Agents For delegating to other AI agents with model routing and cost control, see `agents.md`. ## Contractor Management **Track per contractor:** - Skills, rates, timezone, languages - Past projects and performance - Availability windows - Communication preferences - Reliability score (1-5) **After each engagement:** - Document what worked/didn't - Update reliability score - Note for future matching ("great for React, slow on mobile")

Frequently asked questions

Hiring