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Any provider may apply to any job. But we recommend applying very selectively. Getting hired isn't about luck; it's about being the right candidate for the right job. To be successful, only apply to jobs for which you are an excellent fit (and can prove it).
Some job posts specify Preferred Qualifications. If you do not meet these qualifications, your application will be marked as unqualified in the buyer's candidates queue.
Each job post displays the buyer's payment method verification status. We guarantee payments on hourly assignments with 
verified buyers.
verified buyers.
Hourly Jobs
- Find a job you like through a search or feed subscription. Read the job post very carefully to determine if you meet the buyer's needs.
- Write a unique cover letter to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job. We recommend bookmarking the job post in your browser to refer to while you are writing. When you're ready, press the Apply button at the top left of the job post.
- Paste the cover letter you've written into the text field and make sure it's formatted to your satisfaction. You cannot embed images in your cover letter, but most basic HTML formatting is accepted. [Optional] You may attach a supporting document, such as a work sample. Do not attach your resume or cover letter (your resume is already reflected in your profile and the cover letter in the text field is the first thing the buyer sees when reviewing applications). Whenever possible, link to samples instead of attaching.
- Review the oDesk User Agreement and policies, then check the Agree to Terms box to indicate you agree to the terms and conditions.
- Press the Apply to this Job button. This cannot be undone. You may end your candidacy at any time, but you cannot reapply to the same job (unless the buyer requests an interview using the Interview button in your profile).
- Enter a Pay Rate for this Job. The form will calculate and add the oDesk fee on top of this amount. Check the total Charge Rate for this Job. Adjust the rate you entered as needed then press the Apply button to complete your application.
Affiliated contractors will not be asked to enter a rate - their applications will be submitted at their profile rates. Staffing managers will be asked to specify which team member the application is for and will have an opportunity to enter a rate.
Fixed-Price Jobs
- Find a job you like through a search or feed subscription. Read the job post very carefully to determine if you meet the buyer's needs.
- Write a unique cover letter to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job. We recommend bookmarking the job post in your browser to refer to while you are writing. When you're ready, press the Apply button at the top left of the job post.
- Read the cautionary notice explaining that payment is not guaranteed, at the buyer's discretion and not subject to escrow, mediation or arbitration. Check the Yes, I Understand box and press the Continue to Apply button if you still wish to apply.
- Enter Your Bid. The form will calculate and add the oDesk fee on top of this amount. Check the total Charge Amount. Adjust the amount you entered as needed. [Optional] Specify a percentage of the payment that must be made upfront. Asking for upfront payment limits your risk and will discourage less serious buyers.
- Select an Estimated Duration.
- Paste the cover letter you've written into the text field and make sure it's formatted to your satisfaction. You cannot embed images in your cover letter, but most basic HTML formatting is accepted. [Optional] You may attach a supporting document, such as a work sample. Do not attach your resume or cover letter (your resume is already reflected in your profile and the cover letter in the text field is the first thing the buyer sees when reviewing applications). Whenever possible, link to samples instead of attaching.
- Review the oDesk User Agreement and policies, then check the Agree to Terms box to indicate you agree to the terms and conditions.
- Press the Apply to this Job button. This cannot be undone. You may end your candidacy at any time, but you cannot reapply to the same job (unless the buyer requests an interview using the button in your profile).
Affiliated contractors will not be asked to enter a price - their applications will be submitted at the buyer's budget price. Staffing managers will be asked to specify which team member the application is for and will have an opportunity to enter a price.
oDesk sets a limit, known as a quota, on the number of job applications you can submit. Remember that the quota is the maximum number of jobs you can apply to, not a requirement that you must fulfill! (Read more about how we calculate your quota.)
When you apply to a job, you specify the rate you would like to receive. oDesk will add a fee on top of this amount and show you the rate the buyer would be charged. It is the buyer who pays the fee. If you negotiate your rate during an interview, keep in mind that the amount the buyer pays is not the same as the amount you receive.
The oDesk fee is always 10% of the buyer's payment.
The provider enters a rate of $27 per hour on the application form. The buyer sees and pays a rate of $30 per hour. An additional 3 per hour was added to cover the oDesk fee. $3 / $30 = 10%
The buyer makes a payment for $2,000 on a fixed-price job. The provider receives $1,800. The remaining $200 is kept by oDesk. $200 / $2,000 = 10%
Every cover letter should be unique. Recommending a specific form to follow for your cover letter would actually hurt your chances of getting a job - you don't want your cover letter to sound like everyone else's! What we do recommend is that you write every cover letter individually, targeting the specific needs of that particular job. You cannot edit your cover letter once it's been submitted, so take the time to make it perfect before you apply!
Cover letters with formatting from MS Word can look very strange when submitted to the buyer. Write the letter in word processor of your choice, spell check and do revisions there, then paste the letter into the application form for formatting (bold, italic, links, lists, etc.) using our WYSIWYG editor. If you have difficulty editing your own work, ask a friend to read it over before you submit your application.
While we can't tell you exactly how to write the perfect cover letter, we can offer some basic guidelines about what to include (and what not to).
- Don't include your contact information in your cover letter (your email address, chat ID, etc.). This is a violation of oDesk policy and makes you an easy target for an unscrupulous buyer. When you are invited to an interview, then you are free to share whatever contact info you wish.
- Don't start with a "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir" greeting. Neither adds any value and they may even offend some buyers. If you do include a greeting, find a gender-neutral way to say hello or use the buyer's name (if they've mentioned it).
- Don't copy and paste the same cover letter over and over again, even if you 'fill in the blanks' with specifics for the job at hand. Just as you can tell when a buyer posts a template job description, a buyer can tell you're using a form cover letter. If you don't put in the effort to write a custom letter, they are unlikely to take the time to interview you.
- Do try to use the same keywords the buyer did. This shows you were paying attention to their job post.
- Do answer specific questions or include special keywords the buyer put in the job description to prove you can follow directions. That is, unless the buyer is asking for your contact info or otherwise violating oDesk policy - in that case you should flag the job as inappropriate.
- Do link directly to some relevant examples of your work whenever possilbe. Make sure you've added them in your portfolio as well.
- Do state your availability (when and how much you can work) and explain what kind of commitments you have to any other oDesk assignments, regular employers, etc.
You'll find some great advice on how to write a killer cover letters on our blog. SavvyLancer and oDesk Insider also offer some great advice.
Whether the staffing manager or the affiliated contractor submits the application, be sure to explain the relationship. Not all buyers are familiar with affiliations and not all provider companies manage things the same way.
When you apply to a job, you become a candidate. (Learn more about managing your candidacies.) What you can do as a candidate is:
- Interview with the buyer. Initiating an interview is the buyer's decision. Only the most impressive applications will result in an interview.
- Edit your rate. Generally, you should only edit your rate in response to negotiations with the buyer. Changing your rate is unlikely to attract an interview.
- End your candidacy. We recommend ending candidacies as soon as you decide you wouldn't be a good fit or for any reason are no longer interested. Maintaining active candidacies when you are anything less than a great fit for the job is unprofessional.
Just like any other job hunt, you'll apply to far more jobs than you'll receive interviews. Don't be discouraged; you can't be the perfect candidate for every job. Determined providers use the down time to improve their skills, polish their profiles and create portfolio items through volunteer work. Make the cut more often by applying selectively, writing distinctive cover letters and maintaining an outstanding provider profile.
