How not to get hired on oDesk
For those who don't know, oDesk is an online job marketplace, much like elance and rent-a-coder. It's also where I go for some extra scratch (when I'm not sick and blowing half my brains out into 3 boxes of kleenex). While oDesk has been likened to slavery in the past, in my opinion, it's still the best freelance job board out there because of its hourly gigs.
However, getting work there is not just a matter of signing up and waiting for the jobs to come pouring in - you have to work for it, and that starts with your profile.
Like most other job boards, you are given a profile to showcase your talents, abilities, resume, portfolio, etc. You have to sell yourself because a buyer can only see what's right in front of them. No matter how great you are, if you don't prove it in your profile (and cover letter), your buyer (the client) will never know it.
If you don't want to get hired, just use the profile below as a guide to filling out your own profile.
Does it really come as a surprise that she hasn't been hired for any projects, yet?
First, let's start with the profile title. It will be displayed at the top of your profile, next to your photo (if you have one). This is where you have to catch the buyer's attention...when you apply to jobs on oDesk, the buyer will have to click on your title before they can see your full profile. Tell them what you are good at and where your specialties lie - make it catchy and (if possible) use keywords that you know buyers will be searching for. Do not tell them that you stop only to eat and excrete.
Second, the objective/summary extends the title. Use this space to summarize what you can do for your buyer, not what you want from them. The buyer's only goal is to get their project completed efficiently, and cost-effectively. The buyer doesn't care about whether or not you can support your family, they don't care if you were wronged by your previous employers, all they want to know is if you can do the job well. Use this space to tell them how much better you are than the competition. Don't give them your life story - they'll only laugh at you.
Third, double- and triple-check grammar and punctuation. While not everyone may be from English-speaking countries, oDesk is based in the US, and all posts must be made in English. A good number of jobs posted are by US companies and individuals. Even if English is not your first language, and even if you are not applying for writing jobs, the first impression counts the most. Capitalize the "I" when referring to yourself, add two spaces after a period, add apostrophes to contractions, and don't be afraid to double [Enter] to break things up into paragraphs.
It doesn't take much to produce a great profile. A strong, reasonable sales pitch is all it takes.
However, it doesn't take much to ruin a profile, either. Finding that line before crossing it will make all the difference in the world in landing that first job at oDesk.
comments