> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fundwork.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Select and Hire Talent for Your Fundwork Contract

> How to hire an applicant for your Fundwork Contract, what happens when you confirm the hire, and why reviewing thoroughly first matters.

Once you've reviewed your applicants and identified the right person for the job, you're ready to hire. Hiring is the moment your Contract moves from posted to active — work begins, the first milestone becomes live, and your selected worker knows it's time to start.

<Warning>
  Hiring is a commitment. Once you hire a worker, the Contract becomes active and the worker is expected to begin. Review all applicants thoroughly before you confirm — don't hire based on a first impression alone.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Return to your applicants list">
    Open your Contract and navigate to the **Applicants** tab. Find the applicant you've decided to hire.

    If you haven't finished reviewing all applicants yet, go back and do that first. See [Reviewing Applicants](/for-clients/reviewing-applicants) for guidance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the applicant">
    Click on the applicant's name or profile to open their full application view. Review their message, portfolio, and profile one final time before proceeding.

    When you're confident, select **Hire** on their application.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the hire">
    Fundwork will prompt you to confirm your selection. Read the confirmation carefully — this action activates the Contract with this worker.

    Confirm when you're ready. The hire is now complete.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Work begins — first milestone activates">
    As soon as you confirm the hire:

    * The Contract status changes to **Active**
    * The worker is notified that they've been hired
    * The **first milestone** becomes the active deliverable
    * All other applicants are no longer under consideration for this Contract

    Your worker now has visibility into the full milestone structure and the deliverables you've set for each stage. They'll work toward the first milestone and submit it for your review when complete.

    <Tip>
      Send a brief message to your new worker after hiring — a quick note confirming your communication preferences, any context you want to add, or a preferred timeline for the first milestone sets a strong working tone from the start.
    </Tip>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Only one worker can be hired per Contract. Fundwork Contracts are one-to-one engagements between you and the talent you select.
</Note>