New freelance app, Gighouse, lets users book jobs and vice-versa

"Gig" also means "assignment", and admittedly sounds a bit more trendy - and that's exactly the intention behind Gighouse, a new digital matching platform. Users can like or dislike jobs via an app as a freelancer with a VAT.

Gighouse itself is an app, but there is a whole platform behind it that facilitates contact between employers and freelancers. “The difference with existing platforms is that we put human interaction first. You don't book a freelancer like you do services in Uber or Airbnb. This is about people: client and freelancer. A cultural fit is needed," says Rika Coppens, CEO of House of HR, the company behind Gighouse. "A good, human click."

Enjoy your gig

The app has just been launched, and clients can post assignments through a supportive web application. The freelancer determines their rate, the client chooses between a subscription formula of 15% or 20%.

“As a freelancer you don't have to invoice yourself, we do that for you. You enter your timesheet on mobile. You also simply choose which jobs you take on: you can like the way you like on Tinder, for example. Based on that, a client chooses a freelancer: at that moment there is a match," explains Rika Coppens.

Real assignments

A virtual platform, but with real consultants behind the scenes: "We screen every freelancer for resumes and references," says co-founder Caroline Rollé. “That makes a big difference: we want to offer quality to employers. As a freelancer you are present and available, but you mainly have in-house expertise. That quality criterion also applies to employers. Assignments must be real. It is not the intention that you, as a freelancer, respond to an assignment that has already been or will be filled in."

“Powered by people is a very important thing for us. We want our freelancers to become part of the corporate culture at customers. Do not treat them as a supplier, but as an employee, with respect for the freedom and flexibility they seek as a freelancer. Then they don't stay in a corner within the company and they take ownership."

Live screening

How are freelancers screened? “We call or Skype every profile that we receive via the app for a half-hour screening,” says Caroline Rollé. “In addition, we dig deeper into your competences. You explain your projects and provide references. We then contact those clients with a brief explanation. On the app we want to integrate even more tests about your values ​​and your soft skills. Our freelancers community is a solid pool of employees that we are going to offer even more services, such as insurance, accounting, co-working spaces, legal start-up advice and even special purchase conditions for company vehicles.

Group CMO Lieven Van Nieuwenhuyze adds: “Freelancers who have to look for a job for a long time are not always the strongest. If there is no screening, you will experience problems. A quality label is essential. We need freelancers who are Gighouse Qualified. In the long term, we also want to indicate what is needed and where there are potential areas for improvement for the freelancer. With that quality label you are immediately in the top drawer.”

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