Find Vet Out Unqualified Online Employers By Using TOEFL Scores

Hiring freelancers is an excellent way to save time and money, especially when your workload is piling up. With the rise of the gig economy, businesses in first-world countries can hire skilled professionals from third-world countries at a fraction of the cost. This method also benefits employers by eliminating the typical costs associated with full-time employees, such as sick leave and bonuses. However, one of the greatest challenges in this process is ensuring you hire trustworthy and qualified professionals, especially when working with remote employees from across the globe.

One effective way to assess the competency of a freelancer, particularly for tasks that require strong communication skills, is through standardized tests like the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). In this article, we’ll discuss how to leverage TOEFL scores to find reliable freelancers, why it works, and how you can use it to elevate your hiring process.

Why Hiring Internationally Works So Well

The main reason why hiring internationally is so popular among employers is the significant difference in living costs across countries. A wage that seems modest in one country might be a substantial income in another. This allows employers to access highly skilled professionals at a fraction of the price they would pay in their home country.

In addition to cost savings, hiring freelancers across different time zones is advantageous. For example, if you’re based in the U.S. or Europe, hiring a virtual assistant from India or the Philippines means they can handle your tasks while you’re offline, providing you with a 24/7 workforce. This global workforce eliminates issues such as sick leave or maternity leave, ensuring that you get the work you need without the typical full-time obligations.

However, while hiring internationally has its perks, it also presents challenges, especially when it comes to assessing the qualifications of potential employees. Here’s where TOEFL can help.

The Downsides of Hiring International Freelancers

The most significant challenge when hiring freelancers from different countries is the risk of hiring unreliable or unqualified candidates. Profiles can be misleading, and some freelancers might even steal work to create a false image of their skills. Building trust with someone you’ve never met is challenging, and while you may be hiring them for specific tasks, the cost of a bad hire can be high.

So, how do you ensure you’re making the right hiring decision? This is where assessing their English language proficiency, specifically through TOEFL scores, can make a big difference.

What is TOEFL and How Can It Help?

TOEFL is a standardized test that measures English proficiency for non-native speakers. It evaluates reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, all of which are essential for remote work, especially when the tasks require strong communication. As a hiring tool, TOEFL scores can help you assess whether a potential freelancer can:

• Understand written instructions (reading)
• Communicate effectively in meetings (speaking)
• Produce high-quality written content (writing)
• Comprehend complex verbal instructions (listening)

When you ask potential hires to take a TOEFL test, you are not only measuring their language proficiency but also getting a sense of their ability to carry out the tasks you’re hiring for with accuracy and clarity.

How TOEFL Can Help You Vet Freelancers

Here’s how you can use TOEFL to assess the qualifications of potential employees:

1. Reading Tests: If your freelancer will need to read and comprehend instructions, articles, or documents, you can ask them to take TOEFL reading tests. These tests will evaluate their ability to understand complex text and their overall reading comprehension skills. This is especially useful for remote positions where communication often occurs in written form.
2. Listening Tests: Remote work typically involves virtual meetings, and you’ll want to ensure your freelancer can follow instructions, ask questions, and contribute to discussions. TOEFL listening tests measure their ability to understand spoken English, which is crucial when communicating with international clients or teams.
3. Speaking Tests: Many remote jobs require clear, professional communication, whether it’s interacting with clients, promoting products, or handling customer support. TOEFL speaking tests assess a candidate’s fluency, pronunciation, and clarity of speech—key factors in ensuring smooth communication.
4. Writing Tests: If the role involves content creation, ghostwriting, or any form of written communication, you can request that your potential freelancer take TOEFL writing tests. This will give you a sense of their writing quality, grammar, and vocabulary, which is crucial for tasks like blog writing, copywriting, or email correspondence.
5. Vocabulary: TOEFL tests also assess the depth of a candidate’s English vocabulary, which is essential when the job requires understanding a wide range of topics or producing high-level written content. A rich vocabulary helps employees communicate effectively and convey their ideas clearly.

By using TOEFL tests to assess these language skills, you can confidently evaluate whether a freelancer can handle the tasks at hand, thus preventing the risk of a bad hire. But TOEFL isn’t just a tool for weeding out unsuitable candidates—it’s also a valuable resource for improving the skill set of your trusted employees.

Why You Should Encourage Top Freelancers to Take TOEFL Tests

Hiring the right freelancer is just the first step. To get the best results, you should invest in their development. If you’ve identified a freelancer who performs well but needs some improvement in certain areas—whether in writing, speaking, or vocabulary—encouraging them to take TOEFL preparatory courses can be a win-win situation.

For instance, platforms like BestMyTest provide TOEFL preparation courses that cover reading, listening, speaking, writing, and vocabulary. If a freelancer struggles with a particular area (say, speaking), they can focus on improving that skill. By encouraging your freelancers to take such courses, you’re not only improving their performance but also demonstrating your commitment to their professional growth.

Moreover, a freelancer who has invested in improving their language skills is likely to stay loyal and produce high-quality work, giving you a competitive edge in the marketplace.

The Benefits of Using TOEFL Scores in Your Hiring Process

• Improved Communication: Clear communication is the cornerstone of any successful remote work arrangement. TOEFL scores help ensure that your freelancers can express themselves well and understand instructions fully.
• Better Quality Work: A freelancer with high TOEFL scores is likely to produce better-quality work, whether it’s writing, customer service, or project management. They will be able to follow directions accurately, articulate their thoughts, and contribute meaningfully to the team.
• Confidence in Hiring: By using TOEFL tests as part of your hiring process, you’re removing a lot of the guesswork from the equation. You can confidently assess whether a freelancer meets the necessary requirements before you make an offer.

How to Implement TOEFL in Your Hiring Process

To get started with using TOEFL as a tool for vetting freelancers, follow these steps:

1. Clearly Define Job Requirements: Outline the language skills required for the job. For example, if the role involves a lot of client interaction, prioritize strong speaking and listening skills.
2. Ask Freelancers to Submit TOEFL Scores: Request that candidates take a TOEFL practice test or submit their TOEFL scores if they have already completed the exam. This will help you compare their language proficiency levels.
3. Use Test Results as a Supplement to Other Criteria: TOEFL scores should be used as one part of your decision-making process. Combine them with other factors like work samples, experience, and references.
4. Encourage Continuous Learning: For long-term collaboration, encourage your freelancers to continuously improve their language skills. You can even offer to cover the cost of a TOEFL prep course if it’s relevant to their role.

Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Hire Freelancers

Using TOEFL scores to vet freelancers ensures that you are hiring employees with the necessary language skills to perform the job efficiently. By incorporating TOEFL into your hiring process, you not only ensure better communication and work quality but also demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development. So, the next time you hire a freelancer for a remote job, consider incorporating TOEFL as a part of your vetting process—it’s a proven way to find reliable, trustworthy, and qualified employees who can help your business thrive.