I Started Working on oDesk Last May, 2011! I applied for Jobs I KNOW i can Do! With oDesk, I made around 300$ after the First few Weeks, But i had to Work 8 Hours a Day!! I also had to Work for a very Low Rate Just to add working Hours to My profile. that's one of the things Employers Look for!! it proves you're serious about doing your job and Also, that you have experience on oDesk. So Here are Few things you'll need to know about if you Wanna get hired on oDesk:
Your oDesk Profile
This is the first thing Employers Look at, it reflects You. So, its your public face You have to Keep it updated and Appropriate. Don't be Afraid to include all your Skills and Experinces, the Employers want to Know that you're Capable of doing the kind of Job they want you to do. Make sure you choose your screen name wisely. Stay away from the cutsie names like Jackforever2388, and socially inappropriate names (Use your common sense). Pick something Short and to the Point! then, if you're going to Upload a Photo, be Sure to pick a professional one. Unsmiling, grainy, sexy, or poor quality profile pictures can be devastating to your online freelancing career.You seem and Sound DESPERATE
It’s okay to vent the frustration of unemployment, but do it among friends. In the online world prospective clients need to see you as in-demand and successful. Lying isn’t necessary, just don’t wear your desperation everywhere you go. Especially if you're a Newbie! Always sound like "No matter what i know i can and i will find a Job" the buyer needs to see that you'll survive without the job. but Also, he will gain lots of he hired you!Your Hourly rate
Next, you will be asked to state your average hourly fee. I highly recommend starting low, about half of minimum wage in your area. When you actually apply for a job you will state your desired wage for that particular position anyway. The only reason the wage listed in your profile matters is to inform potential buyers who may be surfing profiles. I Started off by 2$, I actually Did jobs for 0.40 $ Which I wasn't so happy doing, But it was easy jobs anyway and Added Working Hours and nice feedback to my Profile. However, Your low rates can make you unqualified, The value of a dollar is relative, we all know. However, if you are the cheapest deal around, you also look like the least valuable deal around. Show confidence in the quality of your work and others will too. But . Your high rates can make unaffordable to clients too, So you have to choose the right fee for you.
Your Cover Letter
you will need to submit a cover letter to the prospective buyer. Make sure you create an original cover letter for each job. Avoid the temptation to use a template, buyers can spot them a mile away, and they hate them. Start your letter by introducing yourself and explaining why you want this particular job. Explain what skills you have that make you the right choice for this buyer. Tell the buyer why he should hire you, a newbie. If you have an Experience in the same field as the Job you're applying for, Don't be scared To tell them About it! Cause THEY WANT TO KNOW YOU HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE!
Your Language Skills
Misspellings, poor grammar and texting lingo are red flags to clients no matter what kind of work you do. Spell check should save you for the mean while. if you got Time, you can take grammar classes, It comes handy and you'll be using it along the way.
You are too difficult to get in touch with
in the Online World, Mostly they hire someone to get the job done within Hours, Not Days or weeks! .. So if you applied for jobs, You need to keep checking for updates in case you were invited for an Interview!
You aren't applying for any jobs. Instead, You're waiting for Jobs to come to you
You need to apply for jobs in your specific field on a daily, if not hourly, basis. Simply asking for work on Facebook and other social media forums is not what pitching or networking is about, and is not going to get you a job any more than standing on a street corner with a sign! buyers aren't going to look for you!! there're Hundreds if not THOUSANDS out there applying!! the buyer needs to know you EXIST so, You have to apply, apply and apply till someone hires you!
You haven’t found your freelance field yet
It may be time to look at what you are offering clients. Think hard about your work and life experience, interests and education. Recall the things, Even the small things you can do and offer to the buyers!
Why Would they Choose me?
It was my greatest fear first time i applied for a Job! I said to My self, Why the heck would they choose me while there're hundreds better than me applying for the same Job? Well, that's not how it works!! you might have to sacrifice a lil if you really wanna be hired! like offering a low rate, or getting the job done in a very short time!
Get ready to Be PATIENT!
I encouraged my friends who needed a job after the first time i made money with oDesk. i Told them, You Can make money with oDesk, You too should Join!! They Did! but they didn't get any response after the first few times the applied so, They simply Gave up and told me it doesn't Work!!! NO NO NO NO, oDesk works, it a big International Company! You need to be Patient to get a Job, even in the real visual world!
General Guidelines and Tips
There are some very basic things to keep in mind when apply for a job on oDesk, or any other freelance site. They are subtle, yet can be deal breakers in such a competitive market. First, always use correct grammar and spelling. Don’t rely on spell check; it won’t catch many common errors. Instead, rely on your own eyes and ask a friend to proofread your work. Nothing will turn off a prospective buyer faster than slang and spelling errors. Don’t ever take on a job you aren’t really qualified for. If you do the job poorly, your oDesk reputation will suffer greatly. It isn’t worth the risk. Always be polite in your cover letter and interviews. Buyers are just like the rest of the world, some are more difficult than others. Keep a professional and friendly demeanor, no matter what. Don’t bid the same on freelance jobs as you would expect to get paid for a “regular” job. No one is going to pay you as much to work from home as you would get if you were driving to an office every day. If you consistently bid too high, the offers will stop coming. Be prepared to work, and work hard. You may be sitting in your sweat pants while you work, but you will work just as hard as you would in in office. This is not an easy buck, it’s a job. Now get out there and get hired on oDesk!
