Being new on oDesk can be tough for a professional. Without any
feedback or past projects on your profile, clients don’t seem to want to
hire you just yet.
They want talented, experienced, and knowledgeable freelancers – with at least 100 oDesk hours. Yikes! How will a newbie empty of these things be able to land their first job then?
Being a newbie freelancer myself, this is exactly what was on my mind when I only had a simple profile and a few of my past works. I knew I was facing a very tough competition, most of which are being driven by price. But I was determined to make my first break, and luckily I was successful.
So I know how you feel, faced with all these challenges and with no opportunity to prove yourself. To help you score your first job on oDesk, here are 7 tips that have worked for me, for many, and hopefully will work for you:
What other useful and unique tips can you share to oDesk newbies reading this post? What particular tips worked for you when you were still looking for your first job?
They want talented, experienced, and knowledgeable freelancers – with at least 100 oDesk hours. Yikes! How will a newbie empty of these things be able to land their first job then?
Being a newbie freelancer myself, this is exactly what was on my mind when I only had a simple profile and a few of my past works. I knew I was facing a very tough competition, most of which are being driven by price. But I was determined to make my first break, and luckily I was successful.
So I know how you feel, faced with all these challenges and with no opportunity to prove yourself. To help you score your first job on oDesk, here are 7 tips that have worked for me, for many, and hopefully will work for you:
- Review, edit, proofread, and finalize your oDesk profile. If you’re meticulous enough, it’ll probably take you an hour to do.
- Make sure you have portfolio samples for every service you offer. Upload screenshots or PDFs of your work, link, and label them according to the service you specialize in. Make sure to write a short but detailed description for each.
- Give yourself a title that best describes what you do. Simply calling yourself, “A Hardworking and Affordable Professional” with checks, diamonds, or heart symbols (seriously, who does that?) doesn’t say much about what you do. Clients may easily brush off your profile and look at more descriptive ones.
- Choose job posts that are best suited for you. Your chances of winning a web design project is very slim if your only specialty is transcription or virtual assistance.
- Customize, personalize, and proofread your cover letter before sending it off. Make sure you answer the client’s questions, address his concerns, and pitch yourself very well.
- Choose a rate that’s reasonable, not the cheapest. Good clients usually avoid the lowest bidders, keeping in mind that “you get what you pay for”. Offer the most reasonable price for your services, but make sure it isn’t because you’re the cheapest in the roster.
- Do your best and never give up. By putting your best foot forward in every interview, you’ll surely stand out from all the other applicants. If you get rejected, it’s okay. Give yourself a reassuring hug and continue applying for jobs, until such time that a good client decides to hire you for your first project.
What other useful and unique tips can you share to oDesk newbies reading this post? What particular tips worked for you when you were still looking for your first job?
Very true on number 6 whether on Elance or oDesk… Cheap is not always the best and potential clients know this.
ReplyDeleteSometimes potential clients will give newbie a chance especially if they have a very good portfolio. Aside from the odesk readiness test take other exams as well, e.g. English basic skills test, etc.
Hi There !
ReplyDeleteIt’s been quite awhile since I’ve been on oDesk and unfortunately I still haven’t landed a job. Yet just tonight the employer of the job I was applying to has replied and it seems that he wants me to work right away. This was a copy paste job. On his letter are instructions already on how to start working right away. Is it normal for some employer not to go tru interviews? and oDesk should send me notification that I was hired right? Please help me. I need to find a job asap.
Thanks
Hey Joi!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, some employers do get past the interview phase, but only because they really want to hire the contractor. But whatever may be the case, he must hire you on oDesk before anything. You have to make sure that oDesk sends you that notice that you’ve been hired by the employer. Don’t work if he hasn’t hired you, or else he can get away without payment.
I have read this in a good website, and your post is just a copy of that. You are a good copier. see this: http://thefreelancepinoy.com/odesk/7-useful-tips-to-win-your-first-odesk-job
ReplyDelete