How Skillbasket works

1. Browsing/Registration

When you visit Skillbasket for the first time you have the opportunity to do the following without registration:

search for people listing their skills and services
search for job profiles via a specific sets of skills which other users have posted

Once you decide you would like to apply for a job or create a job profile to seek for someone else’s skills, you can sign up for free, which will allow you to:

create a personal profile;
list as many skills as you like;
weight your skills individually to indicate your level of proficiency with each;
break your skills down in to Core skills (those you’re happy to offer professionally) and Soft skills (those that aren’t your core skills, but are happy to offer to others
to on a pro-bono basis)

This way others can search for your skills easily and you can keep your list updated and current.

2. Creating a job profile

If you’re searching for another person’s skills or services, you are encouraged to produce a Job description profile, because whatever the size or importance of the job you are posting it’s important to be accurate and clear.

Creating a job description allows you to:

Clearly state what you need doing, by when, how, where and in return for what
Publish your job profile in the listings as well as sending it directly to specific individuals who you think might be suitable (reducing the need for phoning around)
Let other users assess whether they can help you and how
Research another users work history (a little bit like a real time CV as completed jobs and assignments show up in their job history should they wish to show them)

3. Finding what you’re looking for

Finding jobs and services is easy with the search feature, but you can also come across other leads if other people or your contacts refer you to jobs, or promote your job profiles to other sources. This way you can harness the best of the sourcing tools, Searching and Networking.

4. The Magazine

For guidance and advice regarding work or legal matters, as well as ideas on how you can use Skillbasket more effectively, we will be providing a resource that we call The Magazine. That will include testimonials from current Skillbasket users, articles, hints and tips on topics such as working freelance, hiring people, accounting etc...

(N.B This feature is not available at this stage, the Magazine will be launched in Febuary 2010)

5. Getting paid

Making sure you are paid or recompensed for your skills is one of the most important aspects of Skillbasket. We have designed a system that is intended to promote best practice. Those who do not pay or provide a poor standard of skills will not be validated through Skillbasket.

This means that invoicing – and receiving payment should be hassle free. We obviously need your help to make sure the spirit of Skillbasket is upheld from the very first transaction

::: People finding People to get things done :::