Archive for the "Applying for jobs" category

How well do you know yourself? For example I’m a left-handed male in my mid-forties; I’m a Meyers-Briggs INTP, Astract-Sequential, Visual Learner who prefers compromise to conflict. That all sounds really wonderful, but what does it mean?  To some people it doesn’t mean anything, and to others it means a lot.  I could also have [...]

One thing I’ve noticed with a lot of new freelancers is that they don’t quite know how to close a deal effectively. They know how to apply for a job, but anyone can do that. They can get an interview, but a lot of people do that. There’s only one person who will get the [...]

So you got the interview:  Congratulations! Now all you need to do is get past the interview and start working. If you’re like some people, the interview may be the hardest part.  Let me tell you a story about one of the biggest interview mistakes I ever saw. I used to be involved in business [...]

We try to make this blog useful to all freelancers, whether you use oDesk or not.  Freelancing is freelancing, regardless of which site you use, so some tips are going to be applicable to everyone.  So most of our posts are about things that relate to all freelancers. This one’s just about oDesk. For those [...]

Each freelancing job is unique in some respects and we are constantly dancing with new partners. It’s one of the reasons we like freelancing; the variety keeps it fresh and interesting. A consequence of the variety is the initial back and forth we do for each job while we are coming to grips with this [...]

You probably can’t help but notice that we’re now selling an eBook.  It’s right there on the front page and even in the upper right corner of the page where you’re reading this.  Before I go any further I should mention that while I did not write the eBook I did edit it. Anyway, I’m [...]

Clean the wax out of your ears! Yes, I said, “Upload feature.” Like any busy yuppie–wait, I live in the suburbs. I guess that makes me a y’suppie. Anyway, like other y’suppies, I like to unwind. One of the things I do to unwind is to find a nice, quiet spot outside to sit and [...]

When I go on oDesk I often look at other providers’ profiles. It not only helps me get a better picture of the competition, but also lets me see where my profile can be improved. One thing I can’t help but notice is that almost every provider rates their English skills at 5/5; I don’t [...]

I was reading the oDesk community forum when I came across post I didn’t agree with. According the post author, the biggest problem on oDesk is that there are too many providers. You can read his argument here, where he explains there are “too many fish in the pond.” I disagree. It doesn’t matter how [...]

You’ve done what you said you would do. You took a few low-ball projects and got some decent feedback. You’ve taken some tests, posted a nice picture, and filled out your portfolio with examples of your best work. Time to raise your rates. Inertia is your enemy Remember when you first started out? How hard [...]