According to oConomy Global Statistics, there are 280,207 providers in oDesk network. Some are earning extremely well, but some can’t even get a dime. A lot of people ask me specially those providers that don’t have any jobs on oDesk yet, “how do you do it”? I often answer that it was all because of hard work and determination.
It is undeniably hard to find jobs nowadays and oDesk is not an exemption. There are lots of competitions on several oDesk Job Categories like Administrative support, writing & translation, customer service and many others. But this should not stop us from trying hard and giving continuous effort in searching for jobs. You just got to figure out what you’re doing wrong or better yet, what you aren’t doing at all.
Top 3 Reasons why an oDesk Provider doesn’t Succeed
1. Registering an oDesk Provider account is not enough
So you have created an account with oDesk. What’s next? It’s absolutely not right to neglect your oDesk account, you know, just stop opening it and updating it. It is not good that you wait for buyers to invite you for an interview because that would rarely happen especially if you don’t have any good feedback or work history on oDesk yet. You have to step up and do something to “WOW” oDesk buyers.
2. Incomplete oDesk Profile
Your oDesk profile is your main weapon in oDesk marketplace. This is the first thing that buyers would look at and review if they want to interview or hire you. Make sure to have a comprehensive and impressive profile as this increases your chance of getting interviews and projects. Read my post on Completing your oDesk Profile Part 1 and Part 2.
3. Little or No determination
Most people have the tendency to give up once they don’t get the outcome they expected or wanted. I know many providers who created an account but has given up after less than a week of joining oDesk. Yes, it is hard during the first few weeks and I’ve been there. I also had a hard time getting my first job. I have also been on the stage where I have kept oDesk aside, instead focused on other money-earning opportunities. But I realized that I should be more determined and must have the will & drive for me to succeed.
I did not give up.
Every week, I send my applications to as many buyers as I could. I made sure that my cover letter is impressive and outstanding. I even waited for a couple of months before I got my first job with an hourly rate of $4. Luckily, a doctor from the United States hired me as her virtual assistant and gave me a chance of building my reputation on oDesk.
I'm a freelance Search Engine Specialist with almost 2 years experience in this arena. I'm also in the medical field but preferred to do freelancing to gain more independence, flexibility in working hours and to have more time for my loved ones. I have proven results in ranking keywords with corresponding (deep link)landing pages on the TOP 3 pages of Google Results.
Hi! Nice post! I’ve been an Odesk provider for a year and thank God coz my jobs are still up and running. Odesk providers (especially newbies) should keep on applying and don’t let the numbers game let you down.
Yeah, absolutely… Providers should apply more to increase the chance of getting more interviews and projects.
I admit I’m one of those of providers who just registered, stop updating my profile and wait for buyers to come.
Hi! For those who have just started to apply for jobs in Odesk, don’t lose hope.. If you really want to pursue a freelance career thru an online job, you realy have to have patience, perseverance & determination plus a bit of luck..It would really be tough at first but once you have been given a chance, prove your worth and the “buyer” (employer) will give you constant/regular projects.
I suggest that you make an appropriate time to really really work on your profile, you need to build your “selling potential” there..Also, make an impressive cover letter, attaching a sample of your work will help like it did to me. If your craft is more on writing, having your own blogsite or website will also help a lot because you can use it as reference with regards to the quality and style of your writings.
I totally agree with Caroline. Work on your profile, never stop applying to job openings and do your best if you got an interview. Always sound confident and act like you know what you do.
I guess another good thing to do is to take as much test as you can..especially the odesk readiness test which gives you more quota per week on job applications. it gives you nore opportunities for that week. i am a newbie on odesk but i just applied on every job that is related to my expertise(video editing and production)… finally, i got a buyer and has a job currently in progress.
Wow, congratulations on your first project! Never get tired of applying to jobs. I wish a successful oDesk career.
hi..nice post and inspiring me. i’m a newbie in oDesk and hopeless, i think i get my passion back now, thx..
That’s nice to hear. Just strive harder. And you’ll soon get some projects. And when you do, give your best shot and impress your client. This way, you’ll have a good reputation and more buyers will want to work with you.
Goodluck!
Just want to share my experience being an Odesk provider.
I been stagnant provider for 3 months after I get my first job. Money is not a big deal for me then so I just applied according to buyer’s budget. After receiving my first feedback, I been receiving a lot of interviews since then. Last month I got my first Top designer badge for earning more than a thousand for the month of December