Getting your first job is always difficult not only in oDesk but in any other freelance sites too. You don’t know the client, the assignment he is going to deliver and how would you deal with that is a big deal. You are capable and you know your job but the question is how will you convince your client about your caliber? That’s a real problem on oDesk especially for a newbie like you. Never ever try to jump too high or else you will tumble with even greater speed. There are no shortcuts in life and on oDesk, don’t even think about it. The key is to never give up and fight until the last moment. You must have a big heart to overcome all the hurdles that will definitely try to steer clear you of your goals. No one can skip these hurdles but only greats cope with these challenges and that’s what makes them great. So if you are an ordinary person, you will give up even at the first obstacle. Look! Everyone has to start from scratch and it takes time to be an expert at oDesk too. No man is born with experience!
How to Get first job at oDesk
Being a writer on oDesk, I can only quote from my initial experiences with oDesk regarding writing business. But it applies to other categories too. It took me almost 4 hours to write my maiden article of 600 words on oDesk and you know for how much? Just for $1.00. Of course it’s nothing but that’s how you take off. Had I gave it up at that moment by saying that it’s far too less, I would not have had a chance to become a good writer. These initial steps polish your skills and abilities and ultimately transform you into a great author. Today I write for at least $5.00 per article of 500 words each and I’m looking forward to increase my rate as per my experience. What’s more, I do it within 1 hour. Isn’t it good?
When I first started writing on oDesk, I was raring to go at every job and my hopes began to fade away with every declined application. However I never laid down my arms at any point in time and believed that there must be something wrong at my side. May be my cover letter is not up to the mark or maybe I’m applying for those jobs that are not for me because they ask for work history and past experience or I’m quoting much higher rates for a low paid job. All these things came to my mind and really bothered me too much as to why did I not get any reply?
But then there is a glimmer of hope as I found blunders in my cover letter. Not only this, I went for high paying jobs by quoting high prices as I thought it will do the trick however nothing changed. Instead of blaming others or oDesk for my failure (as most people do), I always pointed finger at myself. That’s the key to my success and if you want to make it too, always holds yourself accountable for every action. Thus, I gathered all the courage again and headed out for another venture but this time not with that same old approach. By this time, I had a strong self-belief and I didn’t let my mind to go off track.
Thus, I started fixing my cover letter first, filled the missing info and omitted irrelevant ones. How? Well it’s simple.
My Approach Towards How to Get first job at oDesk
Next, I changed my approach for applying to the new jobs altogether. Before applying for a new job, I saw the client’s requirements and tried to see whether I would be the right person for him or not. I tried to put myself into his shoes and saw the probability of my selection. One of the most important things that most newbie contractors on oDesk overlook is not to note down the credentials of the applicants applying for that very job. When I was a newbie I used to go through most of them, if not all. This will tell you the real picture about your competitors and you can have a fair idea about your own selection. If you’re applying for a low rate job and there are one or two applicants who have 5 stars and strong feedback, then your chances are slim. But still you have something that others may lack and with the help of which you may outperform all others. What’s that! “Cover letter”, yes, that’s right. It’s the cover letter which makes all the difference because client doesn’t have too much time to see your profile or work history. But if you catch the bull by its horns, then the job is yours. You may be new to oDesk but you’re a writer after all if you have ever had a chance of writing any essay, story, article or even a single paragraph in school, college or university life. So don’t underestimate yourself. Finally all my efforts pays off I got it and now earning handsome salary from oDesk. Does it sound easy to you now?
If you face any problem or have any question in mind about oDesk, we are always available to help you and guide you. Post your questions in the comments section below or email it freelancersplatform@gmail.com. We will soon get in touch with you along with the answer to your question.
Great Advice
Do not join Imagine consultation team at odesk!!!!
I am writing about the inconvenience I had with Imagine Consultation.
When I joined oDesk, more than a year ago, I immediately got a invintation from the owner of Imagine Consultation agency Alethea Smylie. She offered me to join her team on oDesk.
She promised me that she will find the best jobs from oDesk, and I need her in return to pay a percentage of each of the work I done. Since I was new and inexperienced at oDesk, I accepted her proposal.
But nobody told me that I had to pay her a percentage for jobs that I’ve found without her help and recommendations.
Also, if you agree to get into it, you lose control and privacy of your profile, all private messages that you send and negotiations about any jobs Aletha can see.
Also, many employers are looking for independent contractors and if you are in a team (Imagine Consultation or other) you will not be able to apply for a job.
These are very important things that nobody told me before I get into Imagine C.
I really got a list of suggested jobs from time to time, but no one was in my skills.
After more than a year, I have not concluded any jobs by Imagine Consultation and I asked the Administrator Alethea Smylie, to exclude me from the team.
At first I did not get a response, but after a few times I got it.
This is a conversation I’ve had with the administrator Aletha:
Hi,
I would like to leave Imagine consultation because I have not concluded any job by you.
Is that okay?
Ivan
Alethea Smylie
Feb 18
Ivan,
You are in the middle of the interview process so you cannot leave at this time. After you have finished the jobs, if you still want to then you can leave at that time.
~Alethea
Me
Feb 18
I sent you a request even before four days.
I have no interview invitations, on what exactly you mean?
Alethea Smylie
Feb 20
You are currently interviewing for this job: https://www.odesk.com/applications/233434037
Me
Feb 20
Yes, I did test for this client but after that, he did not report me, so I guess that the test was not successful.
Also, I started negotiations with this client a day after I sent you the request to leave, but you did not reply me immediately, than only after my second request and four days later. That way you can take your time endlessly.
Please accept my request immediately, otherwise I will be forced to take other methods.
Expecting a quick response!
Alethea Smylie
10:03 pm
Trying to threaten me to responding to you quicker was ridiculous.
Anyways, for me to be able to remove you from the agency you have to close all contracts and any open job applications/archived applications per oDesk’s rules.
Also, discontinue using the improved cover letter & profile overview (remove any language you received from the handbooks). Send me your new cover letter (copy & paste it in the body of your message) without our language and tell me when you have update your profile overview that does not have out language and I will remove you from the agency.
~Alethea
After that I asked for help from Odesk administrators and only a month later I was allowed to leave Imagine Consultation. But after that has continued harassment by Alethea Smylie….
I advise everyone to think carefully before agreeing to enter a team, especially Imagine Consultation.
Hi Ivan,
You had a horrible experience at oDesk. It is better to beleive in your own skills rather than asking or taking help from others. I have never been part of an agency but I did established my work policies. Among my work policies the first and foremost among them was to secure myself as much as possible in all respects such as:
1. Make sure that the client is trustable through profile analysis of the client and his current and previous contractor.
2. The analysis of the feedback provided by him to his contractors and given to him by his contractors.
3. Deliver a portion of work to satisfy client that work is completed.
4. Ask for full payment before delivering the whole work or major part of the payment.
5. If possible, asks for advance payment.
The only key to avoid fraud and scams is not to trust any body. Go for as much as safeguards possible. Ivan join the forums at http://forum.freelancersplatform.com and initate a discussion there. Asks other freelancers to join there so that we can build an online forum for freelancers where we can benefit from eachother experience.