Review Candidates
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The candidates list is designed to help you find the best candidate for your job. Here's a list of the main features:
- Filter your queue by status and provider type
- Sort your queue
- Show only candidates who match your Preferred Qualifications
- Review applications - including rates, cover letters and provider profiles
- Reject the candidates you don't want
- Flag spam applications
- Request an interview with candidates you like
- Send messages to interviewees
- Hire the best candidate(s) for your job
To request an interview with a candidate (one who already applied to the job):
- Go to My Jobs > Openings.
- Click on the title to see the job details and candidates.
- Check the box to the left of the candidate's name in your candidates queue. You may select multiple candidates at once.
- Press the Interview button at the top of your candidates queue. There are also Interview options at the top of the candidate's application and the right side of the candidate box in the queue.
- Enter a Message. All candidates you have checked will receive the same message. Use one of the alternate options to send an individual message.
- Press the Send button when you are finished. Please reject candidates as you decide you're not interested in them.
Interested in interviewing providers who haven't applied to your job? Use the Interview buttons in their provider profiles. They'll need to accept your invitations before you have any direct contact.
You'll be prompted to send a message when you select candidates to interview. Be sure to let the candidates know your availability and ask any preliminary questions. Keep in mind that the candidates may be in a distant time-zones (time-zones are listed on their applications). Only the buyer can initiate contact (there's no way for a candidate to contact you if you haven't sent a message yet). After the initial interview message prompt, you can contact the provider using the Send Message button in the candidate box in your queue.
Interviews begin inside oDesk. You can send messages and receive replies inside the oDesk Message Center Inbox. The whole thread will be there for you to refer later. For privacy reasons, oDesk does not share contact info at the interview stage. But you're free to share your own contact info and move your interview out of the Message Center - to email, chat, voice or even phone - if you wish.
For a 'live' interview, we suggest you set up specific times, rather than just asking the candidates to send a message (aka IM or ping) whenever they can catch you online. Either way, you'll need to send the candidate your preferred contact info. If voice or video chat is an option for you, make sure you let them know.
Check out our blog for some great interviewing tips! While more provider-focused, SavvyLancer and oDesk Insider also offer good advice.
Staffing managers often interview on behalf of their affiliated contractors. This is not required and you are welcome to insist on an interview with the specific user who would be doing the work as well. Staffing managers are carbon-copied (CC'd) on interview messages from the buyer as follows:
- Buyer-initiated candidacies: All staffing managers are CC'd.
- Affiliated contractor-initiated candidacies: All staffing managers are CC'd.
- Staffing manager-initiated candidacies: Submitting staffing manager and company owner are CC'd.
You'll almost certainly receive more applications than you have positions to fill. Some you'll want to interview, others you'll know you're not interest in right away. It is easiest to reject candidates as you review their applications. It'll save you time and they'll appreciate finding out sooner rather than later. Consider sending a more personal message to say why they were not selected, especially when rejecting candidates you've interviewed. Most providers are grateful for the feedback.
- Go to My Jobs > Openings.
- Click on the title to see the job details and candidates.
- Check the box to the left of the candidate's name in your candidates queue. You may select multiple candidates at once.
- Press the Reject button at the top of your candidates queue. There are also Reject options at the top of the candidate's application and the right side of the candidate box in the queue.
- Select a Reason. Choose Other if you'd like to write a custom or more detailed message.
- Press the Reject button when you are finished. This cannot be undone. The candidate(s) will be notified that they have been rejected and given the reason.
If you change your mind, you can invite rejected candidates to interview from their provider profiles (they'll be asked to submit new applications). The candidates cannot reapply for the same job on their own.
To hire candidates, press hire button next to them in your candidates queue then confirm a few details about their new assignments. You can hire as many candidates as you'd like. In fact, we encourage you to hire a few for a 'test drive' if you're having trouble choosing just one.
- Go to My Jobs > Openings.
- Click on the title to see the job details and candidates.
- Check the box to the left of the candidate's name in your candidates queue. You may select multiple candidates at once.
- Press the Hire button at the top of your candidates queue. There are also Hire buttons at the top of the candidate's application and the right side of candidate box in the queue.
- You'll see a screen confirming you understand how hourly or fixed-price jobs work. Read it over, check the box, then press the Continue to Hire button. You may be asked to enter your password for security reasons.
- Decide if you want to leave the opening active or close it. By default, the job will be closed. Only leave it open if you want to interview or hire more candidates. If you close the job, the remaining candidates will be notified you've selected another provider.
- Specify the Start Date. This is the day the provider officially joins your team. On hourly jobs, it's also when they can start logging hours.
- Hourly jobs only: Set a Weekly Limit.
Fixed-price jobs only: Double-check the amount you're agreeing to pay upfront. - Check the box to indicate you accept the User Agreement.
- Press the Hire button when you are finished. The provider(s) will be notified that they have been hired. You can end their assignments if you change your mind.
Only hiring managers can hire candidates. Recruiters have access to all Openings features except hiring.
You must have a verified payment method 
on file to make a hire. Without a verified payment method, we cannot pay your provider. We strongly encourage you to verify your payment method as quickly as possible. (Hourly jobs will allow you to hire, but not pay, during the verification process. You will be suspended if you fail to verify and pay any amount due.)
on file to make a hire. Without a verified payment method, we cannot pay your provider. We strongly encourage you to verify your payment method as quickly as possible. (Hourly jobs will allow you to hire, but not pay, during the verification process. You will be suspended if you fail to verify and pay any amount due.)
If you don't like any of your candidates, here's what we suggest:
- Improve job post. Great posts attract great providers. And a detailed list of preferred qualifications will help you in step 2.
- Search for providers who meet your qualifications. There's a direct link at the top of your candidates queue. You can expand or narrow your search on the Find Providers page.
That's great news! First, interview all of the candidates you like. You may want to do several rounds of interviews - a preliminary questionnaire, a live chat and a follow up chat - to help narrow the field.
Still can't decide? We can't tell you who to hire, but we offer a few suggestions on our blog. If you still have several really great candidates at the end of the interview phase, why not take them all for a test drive?
Congratulations! Now it's time to get to work. Here's what you need to do:
- Confirm that the assignment is all set in My Jobs > Assignments. If it's an hourly job, remember that your provider can't log time until the start date.
- Send the provider a message to welcome him or her to your team and include any instructions on how to get started. You as the buyer are in charge of managing and coordinating the assignment. You'll need to work together to make it a success.
- Make sure you're familiar with the team room, work diary, reports, weekly schedule, payment methods and policies.
- Get to work!
