Begin work on oDesk. Get the first job in the matter of hours

Begin work on oDesk

Begin work on oDesk. Get the first job in the matter of hours

Freelance writing can be a rewarding activity, both from the financial point of view and from the professional status perspective. One good way to begin freelance writing is to sign up for an account on oDesk, Elance, Guru or other freelance work sites.

These freelance platforms are marketplaces where people and companies are looking for contractors to provide them with services in various areas, such as programming, web design, writing and many others. Each day, thousands of job openings are posted on oDesk and Elance, but beginning a successful freelance career can be difficult when you don't have provable experience. Here are a few ideas which will help you get your first job on freelance writing sites, in the matter of hours:

1.Take some tests - oDesk, Elance and Guru all have a system of tests in place, covering many skills. It is not mandatory to take a test to prove your skills in freelance writing let's say, but it can help you, especially if you get a good score. Look for tests for the skills that you possess. For example, if you're a freelance writer, you may want to take an English or other language skill test, a blogging test, a creative writing test or a technical writing test. Don't worry, you can choose which test results to show on your profile page, just in case you fail a test or get a low score.

2.Create an online portfolio -- this advice goes for all freelance web workers, not only freelance writers. When you don't have enough projects under your belt to impress potential employers, creating an online portfolio will help you get that precious first job. You can use a free blogging platform, such as WordPress or Blogger. Write a few articles on various topics, it can be anything that you like or something that you're good about. Just make sure that the online portfolio looks professional and is well written and thoroughly spell checked.

3. Apply for fixed fee jobs. On oDesk and Elance, there are two kinds of job openings - paid hourly and paid through a fixed fee. Employers can be wary to hire a newbie on an hourly contract. Therefore, go for the fixed fee jobs, which are safer for the employer. Alternatively, propose a fixed fee or a weekly limit even when applying on an hourly job.

4. Make a great offer - getting the first job on oDesk or other freelance websites is easier when you make good offers to the employers. Many employers specifically look for the cheapest labor, and they might overlook the fact that you have no previous experience on the site.

5.Write a good cover letter - the cover letter is your business card and your sale letter. Learn to sell yourself effectively and getting the first job on oDesk, Guru or Elance will be a breeze. Be professional and trustworthy and try to personalize each application for the job opening. Employers like to know that you actually read their job description and you're not simply spamming them.

Apply these tips with patience and getting your first job on Elance or oDesk will be simpler than you think! More useful tips are available from experienced freelancers, so try to get some great tips from them too.

POST COMMENT

Working List Building Strategies Want to become an Ad Professional? The Average Salaries Based on Profession Calling a roofing professional in case of Emergency Successfully Honing You Job Search Skills How To Dress to Impress at a Job Interview 6 Figure Jobs - Top 10 6 Figure Job Opportunities in 2011 100K Income Jobs - How Not to Be Successful in Your 100K Job Search 100K Employment - Common Myths Working In 100K Job Opportunities Accounting Jobs - Rules That Every Accountant Must Follow Finance Jobs - Tips that Every Finance Worker Should Know How To Get Additional Interviews During Your Job Hunt Working out your debt management plan payment