How long before you get your first job?

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Submitted Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 11:18pm GMT
jakecastle 63 posts - Philippines - Joined May 10 2009

How long does it take for a total newbie like me to get a job? I initially signed up with Odesk several months back but didn't actively look for jobs. Recently however I've been out of a job. I'm getting frustrated trying to get a buyer. I know that I am a total newbie at this and to earn trust I even offered this particular buyer to transcribe a 5-10 page handwritten PDF document for FREE, but my offer was declined. I'm really doing everything I can to built up my credibility. I Even posted a Brainbench cert for Adobe InDesign (I do Photoshop but its wasn't free) and even started posting on Blogger to try and generate interest.

WHAT DOES A GUY LIKE ME need to do TO GET A JOB here?

http://odeskpinoynewbie.blogspot.com/

Vote Result

Score: 7.3, Votes: 4

What can one do to get a job at odesk Submitted Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 2:55am GMT
triciapascual 4 posts - Philippines - Joined Aug 20 2009

Hi Jake,

Really sorry to hear that you've been having difficulty. If it is any consolation I think I get an offer once every 7 applications and I've already filtered those! What are you really good at and passionate about? Merge those with jobs that are abundant in that area and relatively low priced. Those are usually simple projects that are usually given to newbies. Take what I did at the start. I was an English teacher for 8 years then a training supervisor for an American company for 2 and a half years. I knew I could write articles but had no odesk experience in that area. So I started with copy writing. It was a downgrade of sorts but I was a newbie with no feedback so it was worth a shot. I was able to secure one project and things got better although not as fast as one would expect. Also and this is very important, start with fixed projects. Since you don't have hourly project experience buyers will usually by-pass you for others who've already worked hourly projects. Hope the tips help.

thank you for your reply my fellow iska Submitted Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 9:42am GMT
jakecastle 63 posts - Philippines - Joined May 10 2009

I thank you for your sympathy Tricia. It really is kinda hard to plaster your profile for the world to see hoping that it's worth something only to realize that no one was willing to pay a dime. I guess it's just that I'm not used to getting rejected this this. It had high hopes when I started looking for a project. I guess I'm gonna have to take an 8-5 job while trying to build my rep, but I'm not gonna give up the dream. I just hope I live long enough to see it cause this is really so damn depressing.

http://odeskpinoynewbie.blogspot.com/

Hi Jake, I just wanted to let Submitted Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 12:54am GMT
avaevans 1 post - United States - Joined Oct 12 2009

Hi Jake,
I just wanted to let you know that your not alone in this. I too just joined odesk and I put in,..ready for this,...15 apps. I screwed up the first five or six though by accidently putting my hourly bid as $15.00/hr. So you can definatly count on me not getting any of those.
Anyway, keep me posted on your end.OH and btw, if somehow I can get you a job on here,I will let you know. We newbies gotta stick together.

Take care,
ria (my name is Ava Maria, but I just go by Ria)

Hourly Rate Submitted Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 1:07am GMT
christalrose 3 posts - United States - Joined Oct 06 2009

Hey Ava - I am also a newbie to oDesk and was wondering what you mean by saying "you screwed up by putting your hourly bid as $15.00/hr"? This is the main reason why I came to the Community site - to see what is a good hourly bid? I mean - in the "in person" world I would be asking from $9 to $15/hr...it seems that online you definately go much lower than that? Am I correct? I appreciate anyone helping me out with this...

thanks for letting me know Submitted Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 2:28am GMT
jakecastle 63 posts - Philippines - Joined May 10 2009

Your right Ria We gotta stick together. Thank you for your thoughts. Misery sure does love company doesn't it? Guess we just gotta keep trying. Good luck to you.Keep in touch.

http://odeskpinoynewbie.blogspot.com

Oh BTW add me up I'm on Facebook

Tips for getting hired! Submitted Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 1:49am GMT
lspiceson 3 posts - United States - Joined Oct 20 2009

Hello! My name is Lakta and I am new. I just started a couple of weeks ago, and this is what I have learned so far. Try to be the first one, or one of the first five or ten candidates to apply for the job. I have had three assignments within one week of starting odesk, and my work came from when I was the first candidate to apply. Your chances are way higher that way. Also, take any tests and make your profile as attractive as possible. I have not made much money, but it is a start. In he meanwhile, I participate in these two sites for a little extra income. Just click on the links to find out more or copy and paste into browser. Thanks!

http://www.fusioncash.net/?ref=LakitaNS

http://www.treasuretrooper.com/565212

Yo man! Submitted Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 4:51am GMT
emmanuel012364 19 posts - Philippines - Joined Mar 26 2009

Dude!

Luck also matters here in odesk. As for example, the first week that I tried odesk I got a project for 120$. But again I told you that luck matters. Unlucky that I am. I was scammed by the employer. hahaha. That incident made me not to continue odesk. But one time I got an email. An interview to a small work sa I did try it. And I was hired. But it was a small project and it didn't affect my mood towards odesk. Until something happened in my life that I decided to try again. The first step that I did is to make a good profile.

*TIP # 1 : make a good profile, make it 100% complete and you will get 20job maximum candidacies. The more job you apply at, the more chances of getting one.

After having a good profile, I started my job hunt. And in every of my application letter I include my skype and yahoo messenger account.

*TIP # 2 : Download Skype : Most of the employers here use skype. And giving your skype id to them will give them a chance to talk to you ASAP.

Btw, I started using odesk seriously Oct 6. I got a interview Oct 7. for a youtube video creation. The employer interviewed me tru skype.

*TIP # 3: While being interviewed, show the employer that you are very interested in the job. going as far as creating a on the spot sample while being interviewed. in my case. i made a on the spot video to assess my skill and turn around time.

After which I got hired! yeah! And I did all my best for the project.

TIP # 4: Establish a good connection with the employer. Buddy up with your employer but maintain a professional outlook. Give fast turnaroud for the project given you. If you have a good rapor with the buyer you can even ask them if they have other assignments available that you can do. (thats what i did)

Also, even thou you have a insisting job. Look for another one if you can. But dont compromise your service.

As of today Oct 14, I have made a total of 140$ from odesk.

Odesk is a great site dude. If you have other questions, feel free to email me or message me at ym. my id is em_hunter357. And btw, we live in the same area. Im from espana,cristobal st.

Goodluck dude!

Regards,

Emmanuel

Congrats on your successful Submitted Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 5:25am GMT
jpittenger

3708 posts - United States - Joined Jan 07 2008

Congrats on your successful job!

However, I see one very serious problem in what you've posted.

Warning: You must STOP including your skype & yahoo in your cover letters. This violates the job application policy. Never share contact info until AFTER you have been selected for an interview.

—

Jacqui - Forum Moderator | Help Center | oDesk blog | Contact Support | Vote on Ideas

opps... Submitted Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 6:28am GMT
emmanuel012364 19 posts - Philippines - Joined Mar 26 2009

oh okay... now i know.. maybe i forgot that part when i read the regulations.. thanks for reminding me

Rapport.. Submitted Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 7:08am GMT
msayno 112 posts - Philippines - Joined Feb 05 2008

is something that I take seriously, coupled with quality results. I may perform like any top Odesk'rs here, but building that professional relationship is truly crucial. For this, what should have been a month's worth of work had turned into something for the long run. Besides, we're all humans and a little chit-chat won't do any harm.

which payment method do you prefer? Submitted Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 9:55pm GMT
clean_slate 2 posts - Philippines - Joined Mar 23 2009

I intend to use either paypay or odesk debit card but could quite figure out which is better then. It could help me a lot if you'll shed some light on me on this matter. =) more success by the way!

paypal Submitted Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 6:52am GMT
rj_decastro6 16 posts - Philippines - Joined Jul 30 2009

Hello! I prefer paypal when getting my income in oDesk. I transfer it from paypal to my eon card. You can apply for an eon card in union bank for 350 pesos a year and with no maintaining balance.

But if you want a quick cash, use oDesk debit card. Though you will be charge $9 to $10 to activate your card plus a $2-3 maintenance every month.

Regards,
Rikki

I think your in the wrong thread dude. Submitted Thu, Nov 05, 2009 at 5:52am GMT
jakecastle 63 posts - Philippines - Joined May 10 2009

I suggest you post in Baltazar's thread as you are digressing from the thread's topic. Personally I like using my American Express Credit card and/or my Bankcard visa as Paypal only charges a flat $1 fee. Only thing is, you NEED to qualify for an american express card. Anyway lets get back to the topic.

Newcomer Submitted Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 9:43pm GMT
arevikd 1 post - Ukraine - Joined Sep 02 2009

Hello everyone,

I'm a newcomer here and I'm from Ukraine, I haven't even heard about the Degrees required to fill in the Profile. Does this now mean that I'm nothing?

My country time is 7-12 hours before yours in the US - so I just have newsletter about the Jobs of 20/10/09 on 21/10/09. And I'm a newcomer to freelance job, I don't have documents to show in Portfolio, as all that I've done at my last place of work was copany's confidential documents.

The question now is what should I do now?

and BTW I had a job recently, I wrote to an email of the Buyer from the newsletter, I got a contract to translate on 16/10/09 to be ready on 20/10/09 (17 pages). I did it on time. And I was scammed. Do you have any tipe how to ensure situations like that? Is it customery to ask for advance payment? For using a kind of work part-sending?

Thanks,
Arevik

Welcome to oDesk. A Degree Submitted Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 11:18am GMT
okudamanova

1823 posts

Welcome to oDesk.

A Degree is not required per se, but, same as in real world, could help you stand out.

As far as items for the Portfolio go, you do not necessarily have to upload only examples of work you were paid for. Freel free to translate a website, a book, an article - and include that in your portfolio.

Now, the best way to avoid fixed price scams is to apply to hourly projects. If that is not possible, see this thread for quite a few thoughs on down payment, installments etc.

Good luck,
Olga

Patience is a virtue :D Submitted Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 8:46am GMT
kristinecruz 1 post - Philippines - Joined Aug 07 2009

Hi, Jake!

I signed up around August, and got my first job in September. I think you just have to try and try. Always make good cover letters, bring up your portfolio...anything to sell yourself! I was frustrated, too, because I really wanted to build my feedback here.

http://kristine-cruz.blogspot.com/2009/10/freelance-writing-and-odesk-5-things.html

I wrote my frustrations too - and how I finally scored a gig. Woo!

I know you'll get yours, too

It really depends and needs a little bit of luck Submitted Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 6:43am GMT
rj_decastro6 16 posts - Philippines - Joined Jul 30 2009

Hello!

I had been a provider here in oDesk for almost 3 months now. Having your first job in oDesk is very frustrating for every new comer. Some takes a months before you can get a job and some don't. It really depends upon the situation and you need a little
bit of luck.

As for me, I got my first job after two days of searching. The reason I see there is because my hourly rate is low or I am just lucky to be hired. Read my story about my first job in oDesk at http://odeskguide.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/my-first-job-in-odesk-creating-email-and-youtube-accounts.

You just need to be patient and furnish your profile account when applying to the job posts. And once you land on your first job, you have to make sure you do it with all your best. Because chances of getting hired again by your buyer when you did a great job is high and will really open countless opportunities to you.

Best of luck to everybody|

Newbie as well Submitted Mon, Nov 02, 2009 at 7:10pm GMT
reemmerencilla 2 posts - United Arab Emirates - Joined Nov 01 2009

Hi Jake & to All readers,

I just joined oDesk this morning and so eager and hoping to land on my first buyer (since it already took me almost a year to find a credible site which will truly be a source of additional income and not just another EARN $1000++/per day catch). I may as well not know how long it would take for any buyers to noticed me since I am as well new in this area (even my profile cannot be arranged yet properly as to how I could attract buyers . And after a series of trying to find the right job for me to apply well it somehow make me feel hopeless since most of the buyers are looking for someone with oDesk experience so I roam around d forum for a "Coffee break" and landed reading your blog ... thanks for the cool funny stories & experiences you've mentioned it really made me laugh and took away the feeling hopelessness I felt ... Thanks for sharing it

BUT.... WILL THERE BE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO WILL GIVE US A CHANCE TO PROVE OURSELVES HERE???

thank you for visiting Submitted Tue, Nov 03, 2009 at 1:52am GMT
jakecastle 63 posts - Philippines - Joined May 10 2009

thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I hope it provided you with some insight on the realities of oDesk. I wish I had the answers, but I really don't I'm still just a newbie obsessed with the idea of working at home and finding a decent income.

also obsesses in oDesk Submitted Tue, Nov 03, 2009 at 9:43am GMT
rj_decastro6 16 posts - Philippines - Joined Jul 30 2009

I remember the time I am obsessed in oDesk. I spend my time stalking the Job post page just to get the chance to be the first candidate. hehe.. I will apply and apply to all the jobs and wait. I know, its very disappointing when the buyer rejects you, but its part of the game and you have to deal with it and move on.

Good Luck to you Jake and don't loose hope. There are tons of job post in oDesk everyday. Just apply and bid till you run out of Job Application Quota. hehe..

Best Regards,
Rikki | odesk 101 Blog

Great job on your blog Rikki Submitted Thu, Nov 05, 2009 at 6:05am GMT
jakecastle 63 posts - Philippines - Joined May 10 2009

Think i posted a comment on it and added yours to my blogroll! Yeah the sad thing is the more obsessed you are with something the more liable you are to get suckered into a scam. I guess kahit papaano masaya na rin ako kasi kahit papaano nakakuha ako ng proyeto. (I'm still happy I finally got a project on oDesk.) I've stopped bidding on impossible projects; projects that asks ridiculous amounts of work for a ludicrous fee. I've also stopped looking at buyers with and no verified payments. Sure saved me a lot of pain.

thanks Jake Submitted Thu, Nov 05, 2009 at 2:56pm GMT
rj_decastro6 16 posts - Philippines - Joined Jul 30 2009

Thanks for adding me up in your blogroll, sorry I wasn't able to return the favor but sooner or later I will be able to add you up, I will be buying my own domain to make it even better and so that I can control it even more and as well as monetize from it a little bit.

Now I am no longer a stalker in the Job post, but I surely missed that time.. hehe Yeah, not bidding to no verified payments will surely save you a lot of time. Not that I am saying that those without it are just bogus but its one way to make sure that the job you are bidding is true and you will earn from it.

Good luck to you Jake, hope you find more jobs in the future.

Best Regards,
Rikki | oDesk 101 Blog

give chance to others if & whenever u can :) Submitted Fri, Nov 06, 2009 at 2:11am GMT
reemmerencilla 2 posts - United Arab Emirates - Joined Nov 01 2009

Hi Jake as well as hi to other readers (for sure too much reader by now

Well after reading and responding to your blog, somehow I got interviewed and had my first oDesk assignment ... not that big but it did really helps to boost up my self-confidence... I was hired by a newbie himself who is very much willing and very friendly to help others (Ems as he wanted to be called and I believe I got his contact thru ur blog tho & maybe by now your in contact w/him, if not please do so). I am trying my best to give it another try (I just responded with my next interview and waiting for the response). At this point in time I really do want to find a decent income here at oDesk as well but, since we are new we have to prove ourselves by lowering our expectation (bid amount) ... but who knows one day soon someone out there will certainly give us a chance and for sure it will be our foundation too to return the favor by spreading same deeds to other KEEP ON SMILING & I hope you won't stop making us smile as well

try stopping by sometime at http://pinoydesk.forumotion.com/login.forum?
make other pinoy newbie smile there too

It's me,
Reem Merencilla

How long before a buyer accepts your application? Submitted Thu, Nov 05, 2009 at 3:03pm GMT
theresaparrish 2 posts - United States - Joined Nov 01 2009

I am really a hard worker and want to start an assignment as soon as possible. I am always available. How long before someone picks me up?

Time varies.... Submitted Fri, Nov 06, 2009 at 5:31am GMT
avhdh5962 110 posts

There are those who get it a few hours after applying, some couple of days or a week, or even a month.....

Keep on applying to jobs that fit into your expertise/skill set and are passionate about. Beef up your profile and submit customized cover letter - hit straight on the buyers specific requirement.

odeskmommy.com

Hi Jake Submitted Fri, Nov 06, 2009 at 8:58am GMT
vjustice 64 posts - United States - Joined Oct 14 2009

I still take the time to follow up and see how your doing from time to time. Just finished up my first paid article on odesk this week(still waiting on the final payment) so its been exciting landing that first job even if it was a fixed job. I see you have finished your second so mabe you'll soon be on a roll!

Stay in touch guy let me know how your doing if We last thru the hard times mabe I will be able to use you on some future projects as I am on odesk as a buyer and provider(planning for the future lol)

vitale AKA Butch