The following is taken from Get Paid University.

Once you’ve placed your ad, you’ll start to receive responses. Review the resumes and work samples and make a pile of your top ten. Be sure to check that the estimates are within your budget range; building a simple, three-page website should take no more than 10 hours ($100 to $200 total) for most designers.

Schedule a 15-minute interview to talk with the top five candidates. Talk about his or her work experience, get a feel for who they are, and establish a personal connection. Your job in the interview is to be honest about what you need, find out if the person is qualified, and sense if you trust this person.

One of the questions I like to ask during an interview is, “What will your references say when I talk to them and ask what is your biggest strength? And what will they say is your biggest weakness?” Ask them if they are willing to undertake a short, unpaid test so you can see how they work. If they are unwilling, you might negotiate a small fee.

Invite the top five to take a test that would take no more than an hour (you can do it unpaid or for a small fee). I have includ- ed a sample test below that you can tweak. Many won’t want to do it for free, which is understandable, but you may find a gem in the few that do, and you’ll be all set.