oDesk Freelance jobsite

oDesk is one of the best freelance sites and helps small time employers hire, manage, and pay freelance workers as if they were working for them as office employees. There are lots of employers and business seeking skilled workers, and a global work force of service providers, oDesk is changing how the world works. oDesk is free to join. Providers are looking for looking for web developers, writers, graphic designers, call-center staff, data entry professionals, marketing experts, business consultants and more. You can set your pay rates. The first job is always the hardest. It takes patience and persistence to build an impressive profile and acquire your first job.

Fixed payment projects: Fixed payment projects are those which pay you a fixed sum for completing a project or a part of a project. If an employer has posted a job and wants a website built for say $200 or an article written for $20 ,this is called Fixed price projects. You have to make a bid with your price and when you get the project ,you will get either get paid something upfront (rare) or on completion. During negotiation you can ask for an upfront sum like say 20% to protect yourself from getting scammed like not getting paid for the work, or being made to do more work to get paid, etc. This is my suggestion which you can try out.

Hourly basis projects: These type of projects are helpful if you have a fixed working schedule that you would like to stick to. This payment mode enables you to charge Employers/Buyers on Hourly basis like 10$/hr, 20$/hr and depends on your skills, qualifications and experience.

Tips:

- Install the oDesk software on your PC. This software is used by oDesk to track and record your work and hours while working on client assignments.
- Create your profile and give as much details as possible. Be honest about the information you provide. Don’t give false information.
- Compulsorily take the oDesk readiness test. It can be retaken.
- Take as many tests as possible related to your interest area. But carefully read through the test details. Some tests are one time, some allow re-test but after a period of time. Take such tests if you are confident you will do well.
- Go through the job descriptions carefully
- If you decide to apply for a job posting, make a good cover letter and contact employer.
- Look at the Employer activity details and bid accordingly. Check the rates that other applicants asked for. Look at the average rate and the employer's preference rate. Check out what is the average bid price of those applicants whom the employer has interviewed. Set your bid a little more or less than the average rate. Also see if employer has already set an hourly maximum rate for the job.
- Check whether the employer has a verified payment method and offers an hourly payment. Fixed payment aren’t guaranteed by oDesk only hourly payments are. So, it's up to you if you want to do hourly job or fixed price job.

- Be professional and deliver quality work within agreed timelines

- Begin with small jobs, build your profile, get good feedback, and then move on to bigger jobs.

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