[jmeyer]

One thing that has helped me is checking how active a freelancer is around the forum. Someone who contributes regularly often gives you a better idea of their knowledge and professionalism than a profile alone.

 

[TimothyGonzalez]

Rather than rushing to post a job, spend a few days browsing successful hiring threads. You'll notice how experienced members structure their requirements, which can help you write a much stronger post.