Some initial impressions as a new buyer

Hi everyone

I've been on ODesk for about a month, initially as a buyer, as I develop some ideas for a new publishing business. I thought it might be useful to share some experience - not just as a buyer from these last few weeks, but also from the other end of the process, working as a freelance writer both in the last five years and back in the 1980s (yes, I am that old). These comments relate primarily to writing/editing/design work, although the principles are probably applicable to other skills. I have to say, first of all, that I am finding my experience as a seller - even if in the old fashioned way without ODesk - very useful when the "tables are turned" To be fair this is my first time using such a site, but I hope these comments are useful.

So far, I have posted two jobs, in both cases seeking multiple providers for trials, one for writing, one for design. I have created 14 actual assignments, 8 of which have ended, 6 still active. Providers have come from all over - Philippines, India, the US, Israel...about 20 candidates for each job. Generally speaking, my experience to date has been excellent.

So what have I learned ? This is probably stating the glaringly obvious but that is no reason not to do so...

1. There are some good people out there ! I have had some very interesting articles and ideas and input, from responsive, bright, interesting folks !

2. Good cover letters make all the difference - a letter that shows the provider has read the job/brief and reflects some of that back to me in an imaginative way will get a response ! Be specific, and respond with IDEAS - show how you can add value, in other words. You need to find a way to differentiate yourself from other candidates, to make the buyer sit up and say, "hmm, that person sounds interesting..." Applying with care to 5 jobs with good letters is probably going to be more effective than sending standard responses to 20.

3. Check, check and double check your spelling and grammar - applying for a writing job with a profile or letter that includes errors is not going to be effective !

4. Buyers - good briefs help providers. Take time to explain the background to your job, and what you need. The context helps providers give you a better product, certainly on writing work. I have seen some jobs posted with 1-2 line descriptions, which are virtually impossible to apply for as they are too vague.

One thing I also see - and I have a lot of sympathy with this, having been in this situation myself in the past - is people looking for their first job. It's Catch 22 - how do you get a job without a track record on ODesk ? You can't get a job without experience, you can't get experience without a job...awkward ! There are perhaps several ways :

* explain your experience off ODesk - use the resume feature, list all your other experience, even if it is not directly related to the work you are applying for - sensible buyers will understand this
* where possible, provide samples/portfolios from that off ODesk experience (and as with a CV for a "normal job", any claims must be verifiable)
* selectively, take low paid or even unpaid work for experience - I repeat, selectively...don't undervalue yourself !
* find ways to demonstrate your skills elsewhere - e.g., in context of writing, on sites offering "citizen journalism" like Associated Content

Meanwhile, ideas for Odesk:

1. Can there be some way to react to a candidate in some other way than just 'interview' - a way to say "I like your letter/skills, they are not suitable for this job, but let's stay in touch for other things".... ????

2. Can there be a mechanism for providers to offer "references" for non Odesk work they have done in the past - e.g. contact details for a former employer ? One could do so for a "normal job", why not for ODesk ?

3. Mentors - I suspect there are other buyers out there, like me, who have been on the other end of the process as providers themselves, for the various different skill sets. And experienced providers, too. Could ODesk find a systematic way to use such people, if they are willing, to act as mentors for new providers, e.g. by offering regular articles for the forum or in some other way ? Or, equally, experienced buyers as "mentors" for new buyers ? I would certainly welcome that !

Anyways, that's probably enough for now...comments/views/criticism welcome

Best to you all, and keep up the good work, ODesk

Graham

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