Did you know that the name Toptal comes from "Top Talent"?
Toptal is a unique freelancer platform made up of the world's best freelance developers, designers, financial professionals, product managers, and project managers.
Nothing else can be expected from a platform with the motto "Hire the Top 3% of Freelance Talent".
Why Toptal?
Job Opportunities Come To You
Toptal examines every opportunity for part-time/full-time positions in the world's most prestigious companies and matches them with 1-1 freelancers. So, don't look for a job and focus on your business.
Fast Recruitment
In a job that suits you, the process goes very fast. Generally, you complete the process within 2-3 days and start a new job.
High Payment
The platform of the best also promises the best price in return. At Toptal, you can get high and regular projects that you won't find on most other platforms.
Companies on Toptal
If working with a big company means prestige, you are in the right place. I find working with medium-sized companies more convenient and scalable, but styles are indisputable.
Especially if you are stepping into freelance work for the first time as a result of working from 9 to 5, this type of working method can be more relaxing.
How Does the Toptal Application Process Proceed?
As a result of this process, which consists of 4 steps and lasts for 2-5 weeks, 3% of the applicants are accepted on average. So, let's look at the steps one by one now.
Step 1: Language and Personality
The first condition of doing business worldwide is communicating adequately and having a steady personality. At this stage, you are included in a kind of conversation by Toptal's hiring specialists.
You are subject to evaluation on subjects such as your job, passion, communication, and English level.
One out of four applicants can pass this stage. So if you pass this step, your chance of being accepted increases to 12%.
Step 2: Technical Competence
At this stage, you take part in assessment tests that measure your proficiency. Your technical level must be great to take the next step.
The highest elimination occurs at this stage. Approximately 73% of those who take these tests do not pass this stage. But if you've passed, you're closer to being accepted.
Step 3: Live Evaluation
In this process, the most famous of which is live coding, they evaluate your experience and competence in issues such as instant problem solving and overcoming problematic communication, according to the industry.
It is challenging, but it is worth the effort, as 86% of those who pass this step are now accepted to Toptal.
Step 4: Test Project
You will be assigned a test project of real-world examples that will take 1-3 weeks. During this project, you are expected to:
- Comply with the deadline
- Transfer your work to the documents perfectly
- Come with quality output.
Therefore, try not to work in another job during this 1–3-week period, so you have time to deliver the desired output.
How Does the Customer Matching Process Go?
The next part after getting accepted is to match the right client. There is a 3-step-process here:
Company Requests
Technical experts in Toptal work one-on-one with the companies, clearly understand the company's requests, and project them. This way, you will not encounter a customer who does not know what he wants.
Freelancer Profiling
The questions asked to you during the application process, the tests you took, and the notes the recruiter took during your speech are collected in a panel.
Manual Matching
When manual matching comes into play on top of company requests and detailed freelancer profiles, finding a job suited to your working style and abilities is inevitable.
What Are the Most In-Demand Talents Right Now?
According to Toptal, there is a serious demand in 6 areas. If you have skills and experience in these subjects, I suggest you try your luck:
- React developer
- C++ developer
- Android/iOS developer
- AWS consultant
Aren't they all technical issues? Let's take a look at what other freelancers do.
From Which Sectors Are There Freelancers in Toptal?
Software Development
- Algorithm Developers
- AWS Developers
- Azure Developers
- Big Data Architects
- Blockchain Developers
- Business Intelligence Developers
- Django Developers
- Docker Developers
- Kotlin Developers
- Machine Learning Engineers
- Magento Developers
- .NET Developers
- R Developers
- Ruby on Rails Developers
- Salesforce Developers
- SQL Developers
- Unreal Engine Developers
- Xamarin Developers
Design
- Adobe Creative Suite Experts
- Art Direction Specialists
- Augmented Reality Designers
- Brand Designers
- Creative Directors
- Digital Product Designers
- E-Commerce Website Designers
Front-end Developers
- Information Architecture Specialists
- User Experience Designers
- Mobile Application Designers
- Presentation Designers
- Prototype Designers
- SaaS Designers
- Drawing Experts
- Virtual Reality Designers
- Visual Designers
Finance Expert
- Blockchain Advisors
- Business Plan Consultants
- Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
- Excel Experts
- Financial Forecasting Experts
- Financial Modeling Consultants
- Financial Writers
- Growth Strategy Consultants Specialists
- Temporary CFOs
- Investment Managers
- Investor Relations Advisors
- Merger and Acquisition Advisors
- Profitability Analysis Experts
- Real Estate Professionals
- Xero Experts
Project Management
- Asana Experts
- Blockchain Project Managers
- Conversion Program Managers
- Digital Project Managers
- Digital Transformation Program Managers
- e-Commerce Project Managers
- Corporate Coaches
- JIRA Administrators
- Kanban Project Managers
- Lean Project Managers
- Mobile Project Managers
- Scrum Project Managers/Coaches
- Software Project Managers
- Technical Business Analysts
- Web Project Managers
Product Management
- Artificial Intelligence Product Managers
- Blockchain Product Managers
- Business Systems Analysts
- Cloud Product Managers
- Data Science Product Managers
- Digital Marketing Product Managers
- Digital Product Managers
- e-Commerce Product Managers
- Enterprise Resource Planning Product Managers
- Temporary CPOs
- JIRA Product Managers
- Kanban Product Managers
- Lean Product Managers
- Mobile Product Managers
- Product Consultants
- Product Strategy Consultants
- Robotic Process Automation Product Managers
- SaaS Product Managers
- Salesforce Product Managers
- Web Product Managers
Toptal is the royalty of freelancing; if you have enough experience and give it a try, what are you waiting for? Take your next step with Toptal!
Need more ideas to skyrocket your journey? Keep reading freelancer.guide!
Frequently Asked Questions About Toptal (FAQs)
Is Toptal suitable for me?
If you work in the software development field, Toptal has prepared a small test. You can find out if you are suitable or not in 1 minute.
Is Toptal free?
Toptal does not charge any fee from the freelancer.
How will I receive my payments?
Payments will be transmitted by bank transfer via the platform entirely automatically.
How do I determine my hourly rate?
If you have not worked as a freelancer and have no idea about your hourly wage, you can determine the most suitable salary by talking to the recruiter while applying.
Are all of your jobs suitable for working remotely?
Even though almost all of the jobs are remote, some jobs defined as C-level may require going to the office.
Can I work on more than one project?
It depends. If you work full-time (40 hours/week) through Toptal, unfortunately, you cannot get any other job, but if you have a part-time (20 hours/week) or hourly job, you can, of course, fill the rest of the week with other jobs.
What qualities does Toptal expect from a freelancer?
At Toptal, where technical competence is at the highest level, some personal qualities are also important. Here are some:
- Ability to express oneself properly
- Ability to adapt to changes in projects
- Being a team player
- Efficient operation
- Continuously working on self-improvement
What if My Application is not accepted?
If the process is unsuccessful, the recruitment specialist gives a waiting period for re-application depending on the situation (language/technical competence). At the end of this period, you can apply again.
