How picky should a provider be about choosing jobs to apply for?
Hello,
I'm new to oDesk and the freelanceing market in general. I have been browsing jobs in my field (writing) and have not completed any applications yet. I wonder what is the best practice. Apply for anything that I'm qualified for as long as there are no red flags in the job post (need more hours than I have available, budget or hourly rate too low, one sentence job description - I need a writer.)? Is it good to be more selective? I know there is no such thing as the "perfect job", but since I'm new I would like to start out well and build up some good feedback. I have been looking for something that looks like an ideal fit. Am I being too picky?
-Cheryl
Picky about jobs.
It is true that you shouldn't take on a job you aren't sure about. I'm concerned about the high ratio of providers vs Employed providers. 94,000 to 470 (rough figures) based on the statistics on another page I can't seem to get back to. Is there hope for us newbies?
@->--Caroline
Of course there's hope! The
Of course there's hope!
The biggest thing to remember is that you have to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Read the job description carefully and, if possible, send writing examples similar to the type of job you're applying to. Also, give your input and/or suggestions for how you would go about getting the job done, and get it done better than the rest of the candidates.
I'm a newbie, too.
I've received interviews because not only did I include relevant portfolio samples, but I also made suggestions on how, if hired, I would go about getting the project done. It's lead to two hires and one that's waiting on client sign-off before hiring.
The ratio just goes to show the people who put forth the extra effort vs. the people who just sign up and expect the jobs to come rolling in. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. You have to want it to work and make it so. But it definitely can work!
One thing I've done (and still do) is in every cover letter, I explain that I may not have any feedback yet, but I have plenty of off-site examples to prove that I can do the job.
- Danalyn
you mean this?
http://www.odesk.com/community/oconomy
The number of people working is only the number working at right this minute. Not the total number of people with current assignments.
It is true most people with accounts aren't working though, but then if you look at the profiles of those who aren't and who never have it often is very clear why! Not everyone here is the cream of the crop or even has a clue what to do to work in an environment like this but if you are and you do finding work here is not hard.
Start Picky
You should always be picky about what you're willing to do. If you're not willing to give a job your best effort don't apply to it. It may take longer to get your first job, but you're less likely to get caught in the $1.00/hr trap.
Encouraging Advice
Thanks for the excellent, encouraging and specific advice! I'm definitely hopeful!
I definitely believe that in
I definitely believe that in order to be successful here, it helps to be as well-rounded as possible. That said, in order to get successive assignments, it helps to be specialized at only a few things to begin with, so that you can build up a reputation for taking on certain tasks. That means read the assignments carefully, and not to apply unless you feel that you are especially well suited to do the task.
I believe that most of the people who apply to jobs don't read them carefully, so if you do the opposite, you will stand out with your cover-letter when you address the individual job. Don't apply for an assignment if you don't feel you can fulfill its needs.