In this section, we provide instructions and tips for success for a productive job from the point of hiring contractors until the point of project completion. 

• Setting Role Expectations for Contractor and Employer
• Defining Project Outcomes and Team Goals
• Communicating with the Contractor

Setting Role Expectations for Contractor and Employer

It is critical to begin with clear expectations for the hired contractor and set their expectations of your role as the employer. We recommend establishing these expectations by sending a personalized message to your new contractor. You may wish to use the following template:

Dear [name],

Congratulations on your selection for the [insert company or project title here] micro-internship or contractor position! 

Seeing as multiple micro-interns will work separately on this project, we will host one kickoff call to review the project and will record it for those who cannot attend live. The kickoff call will be [insert date and time of call]. It will be hosted via [insert how to join the call].

As a reminder, the project due date is [insert due date]. However, if this is a problem, please let us know as we don't want this to interfere with your classwork or other obligations. We are interested in working with you to see success here.

For this assignment, we are interested in [insert expected outcomes for this micro-internship]. This project will help us determine if you re a good fit for long term employment opportunities. As such, please take this project seriously and make sure you demonstrate the level of professionalism that is appropriate. This includes:

• • • • A deliverable that looks professional
      • Strong attention to detail including no typos, grammatical errors, etc.
      • Demonstrated understanding of the subject matter

The deliverable(s) for this micro-internship are [insert list of deliverables here].

If you have any questions that require a response prior to our kickoff call, please respond to this email.

Looking forward to working with you,

[insert your signature here]

Use early communication between the contractor and employer to ensure a mutual productivity and levels of expectation for oversight and mentorship. We recommend this resource on  Setting Clear Expectations through Arrington Coaching (link leads to external web page).

Defining Project Outcomes and Broader Team Goals

As a supervisor, you're in a unique position to help your contractor to develop professional competencies that will benefit them throughout their career.

You'll want to provide context of how you intend to use their project to fulfill a broader team goal. This context will not only be valuable professional knowledge, but will also help them deliver a final product that meets your expectations and needs.

It is critical to establish clear deadlines and expectations for feedback on deliverables before project completion. These markers ensure that the contractor is executing the project to your satisfaction and on time.

Communicating with the Contractor

Be clear about your expectations for communication throughout the project. Define your preferred frequency and method of communication:

• Messaging norms for check-ins (examples: email, text, shared document, meeting on Zoom)
• Messaging norms between check-ins (examples: email, text, ticket, request for meeting on Zoom)
• Preferred Language (examples: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.)
• Preferred Message Content (examples: if a message is longer than a paragraph, please schedule a meeting; please always email your team lead before contacting the full team or director)

You will want to also set your standards for how a contractor receives feedback throughout the project and at the end of the project. If issues arise, be specific about what needs improvement and offer examples. This clarity will help the contractor make adjustments and meet your expectations. We recommend reading more  about providing effective work feedback by CFI (link leads to an external web page).

When the project is completed, Parker Dewey provides a form for communicating overall feedback on the full experience and final deliverables.