Getting Started as a Customer

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to find skilled technical professionals for your projects. Follow these steps to set up your company profile, post opportunities, and connect with skilled contractors.

Your company profile establishes credibility and helps attract top talent. Professionals evaluate your company before applying, so make a strong first impression.

Creating Your Account

1. Visit automateamerica.com and click "Sign Up"
2. Enter your name, email, phone number and a password
3. Enter the six-digit code we send you (there is one account type for everyone, so the same account posts work and hires)

Company Profile Elements

Complete these sections for maximum visibility:

Company Information:

• Company name and logo
• Industry
• Company size
• Year established
• Website

Location:

• Your city and state (the public profile shows city and state, never a street address)

Clear postings attract the right professionals. Here's how to create listings that get results.

Types of Opportunities

Hourly Contract:

• A defined start and duration
• A specific project or task
• An hourly rate, with overtime if it applies

Contract-to-Hire:

• An hourly contract the customer may turn into a permanent role

Direct Job:

• A permanent role at an annual salary

RFQ:

• A whole capital project ($500K+); companies respond with a written quote

Pro Tips for Better Postings

Be Specific About Skills:

• Instead of: "Must know PLCs"
• Write: "Must have 5+ years with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, including Studio 5000 programming and Ethernet/IP networking"

Name the Rate:

• Every posting shows its rate, and professionals apply at it
• There is no bidding and no negotiating

Once your posting is live, professionals who do that work see it, and the ones who fit apply.

Viewing Applicants

Open your posting's record:

• Applicants: everyone who applied, with their profile, ratings and reviews
• Shortlisted: the professionals you have shortlisted

You can also search the professionals directly and request the one you want.

Found the right professional? Here's how to extend an offer.

Initiating Contact

1. Message the applicant from your posting's record
2. Introduce yourself and your project
3. Ask any clarifying questions
4. Gauge interest before formal offer

Sending an Offer

When ready to proceed:

1. Click Send Offer on their application
2. Set the start date and the end date
3. Add a message
4. Send it

The posted rate is shown on the offer and cannot be changed. The professional sees your offer and can:

• Accept Offer: the contract begins
• Decline: you see their answer

Nothing is committed until the professional clicks Accept Offer.

There is no bidding and no negotiating: the rate on the contract is the rate, and the professional is paid exactly what they see. Because every applicant applies at the same rate, you pick the best professional, not the cheapest.

Once a professional accepts, the contract management phase begins.

Contract Setup

Review and confirm:

• Start date and duration
• Work schedule
• Reporting structure
• Communication channels

Ongoing Management

Your Contracts Dashboard provides:

• Active contract status
• Timesheets to approve (White Glove)
• Messages
• The contract's documents

Automate America makes payment processing simple and transparent.

How Billing Works

On a White Glove Contract:

1. The professional submits a weekly timesheet
2. You approve it
3. Automate America sends you one invoice for the approved hours at the posted rate
4. Automate America pays the professional

How You Pay Automate America

• White Glove: invoiced on your account terms
• Everything else (a boost, for example): paid by card through Stripe; our servers never see your card number