How to Market Yourself on oDesk
Tips:
How to Find and Evaluate Jobs
How do I search for jobs?
Contractors can search or browse through our jobs by
category, payment terms, employer statistics, keyword and many other criteria. ODesk
recommend you run keyword searches to find jobs with specific qualifications.
While the default sort order for results is by posted on date you shouldn't completely rule out older
jobs. A job that was posted some time ago may be a perfect match for the
experience you have. HooDeskver, the longer the job has been posted, the less
likely you are to receive an interview invitation. Not only do older jobs usually
have more competition, the employer may no longer be actively reviewing new
applicants. Regardless of a job's age you need to apply thoughtfully,
write your cover carefully and interview professionally.
Note
In any job search, on oDesk or elsewhere, you'll likely be
rejected far more often than you'll receive interviews. To increase your
application to interview ratio, only apply to jobs for which you are perfectly
qualified.
To browse jobs:
- step 1:
Go to Find
Contractors & Jobs > Find Jobs.
- step 2:
Click on a category or subcategory name to view all those jobs.
- step 3:
Sort and filter your results. This is our least
detailed search option and the number of results can be overwhelming.
To perform a basic keyword search:
- step 1:
Go to Find
Contractors & Jobs > Find Jobs.
- step 2:
Enter a Keyword in the Search box at the top. You'll be searching all categories by
default.
- step 3:
Click the Search Jobs button.
- step 4:
Sort and filter your results.
Note
The keywords must be an exact match. For example, a search
for "Tech Writer" will not return results for jobs that say
"Technical Writer".
Warning
Keyword searches do not respond to boolean operators.
Including more than one word always searches as if there oDeskre a boolean
"AND".
To perform an advanced search:
- step 1:
Go to Find
Contractors & Jobs > Find Jobs.
Click the Advanced link in the Search box at the top.
- step 2:
Set more criteria to narrow your search results.
- Keywords:
Searches all fields of the job postings.
- Job
Title: Searches only the job post's title field.
- Req.
Skills: Searches only the job post's required skills field.
- Job
Status: Choose open (the default), in progress, completed,
cancelled, or all. You can only apply to open jobs, but you may want to
search other types when researching your prospects and competition.
- Limited filters are
available here to quickly to narrow results by Category, Number of Hires
by Employer, Employer Rating, Job Type, and Posted Since.
- step 3:
Press the Search Jobs button to view the list jobs that meet your criteria.
- step 4:
Sort and use additional filters on your results.
This is our most detailed search option. ODesk suggest you try several
search combinations.
To filter your search:
The Filter Results By: box on the
right side of your job search results should be used to further refine your
search results. The search results automatically update as you make adjustments.
ODesk suggest trying a number of combinations and saving your favorite
searches.
- Categories:
You can show all or one category at a time. You cannot select multiple
categories.
- Sub
Categories: You can select multiple sub categories (or all, or just
one).
- Job Type:
Only hourly jobs have guaranteed payment. Learn more about the differences
betweken hourly and fixed-price.
- Fixed-Price
Budget: Use the slider to filter by the employer's the minimum and
maximum estimated budget. Applies to fixed-price jobs only.
- Workload:
Select the job's estimated workload (how many hours per oDeskek they
expect). Applies to hourly jobs only. You can select multiple options.
- Duration:
Select the job's estimated duration (how long they think the job will
last). Applies to hourly jobs only. You can select multiple options.
- Employer
Rating: Select the minimum feedback score you'd accept in an
employer. Check No feedback to include employers
who have not yet been rated. You can select multiple options.
- Number of
Hires by Employer: Select the minimum hiring experience you'd
accept in an employer. Check Any number of hires
to include employers without previous oDesk experience. You can select
multiple options.
- Posted
Since: Increase the odds of receiving an employer response by
applying to more recent job postings. You can select multiple options.
To modify your search:
Use the Modify search by: box at
the top to change your search Keywords. Click more to change your advanced search criteria.
To save a search:
- step 1:
Go to Find
Contractors & Jobs > Find Jobs.
- step 2:
Perform a search.
- step 3:
Save the search one of three ways:
- inside oDesk by
pressing the Save Search button (learn more
about managing your saved searches)
- to an RSS or Atom Feed
- in your browser by
selecting Bookmark This Page or Save To Favorites in your browser menu.
You may also copy and paste the search page's URL if you wish to use it
elsewhere (add it to a to-do list, send it in an email, etc.)
Note
Are you a member of a oDesk Group? You can run and save
searches from within the your group to find jobs targeting your niche!
How do I read job search
results?
Job search results are presented as a simple list (10
results to a page), including only the most basic overview of the job and the
employer. This includes the title, required skills, payment terms, and the
beginning of the description. Hovering over a job posting will highlight it for
easier reading and make the Apply appear. Click the title to read the full job details.
Additional information about the employer is available if
you hover over the Employer section. The earnings and
verification badge will show you some additional employer facts, including
total paid (may be rounded), verification status, posting versus hiring stats
and location. (Learn more about verification status.) The stars will show you
the exact overall feedback score and total number of feedbacks received.
Every job posting should include enough information for you
to decide whether the job will be a good fit for you. This includes information
about the employer and the job itself.
Job Overview
Basic information such as the job type, workload, duration,
date posted, start date, category, etc. are at the top right of every job
posting. You'll also find the flag as inappropriate link just above the
overview.
Employer facts
ODesk always tell you where the employer is located
(including their time zone), when they registered, how many jobs they've
posted, filled and have open currently, how many team members they have
currently, how many hours their team has billed and their overall feedback
score.
Most importantly, this is where you'll check the employer's verification
status. There's no harm in applying to a job posting with no verified payment
method, but you can't be paid for any work until verification is completed.
[Optional] ODesk encourage the employer to share information
about their company, including the name, tagline, logo and description. But
most employers still opt to post anonymously. ODesk encourage you to learn as
much as possible about the employer during the interview phase (you'll be given
the company's and hiring manager's names).
Job Description
A well-written description is an easy way to spot a good
employer. Just as an employers prefer candidates who put more effort into their
cover letters, you should concentrate your efforts on jobs where the
description provides more useful information. The whole point is to find the
jobs for which you are an excellent match - that is very difficult to decide
without a good description. Keep an eye out for specific questions that the
employer says you must answekr or phrases you must include in your cover
letter. You need to prove you can follow directions!
Just below the job description, the employer may have
uploaded an attachment. This could be additional information or a form you need
to return with your job application.
Warning
Disclosing or requesting contact information is not
permitted in oDesk job postings. (or your cover letters). If you see this or
anything else suspicious (like application fees or offers to pay you directly
through PayPal or ODeskstern Union instead of through oDesk), please flag the
job as inappropriate. Your assistance in keeping our marketplace clean and safe
is greatly appreciated!
Skills Required
Pay special attention to this list as you'll likely be asked
to prove you have all these skills during the interview. They're listed for a
reason, so it's important to specifically address all of these skills in your
cover letter.
Preferred Qualifications
[Optional] The employer may specify preferred
qualifications, such as rate, tests passed, English skills, oDesk experience
level, etc. You may apply regardless of whether you meet these qualifications.
HooDeskver, if you don't meet all the qualifications, your application will be
marked as unqualified. Be sure to address any qualifications you do not meet in
your cover letter to communicate to the employer why they should interview you
anyway. But in general, applying to a job when you don't meet the preferred
qualifications is less likely to to be successful.
EmployerActivity
ODesk tell you when the employer last checked the job
posting or interacted with their candidates - very helpful when deciding
whether to take a chance on an older job posting. This section shows the number
of candidates (with average rate) and number of interviews (with average rate).
These just averages; you are still oDesklcome to apply with a higher or looDeskr
rate as you see fit.
Apply
The apply button becomes a link to your job application if
you already have an active (or rejected) application in for this job posting.
Agencies
The apply button does not automatically link for staffing
managers. You will need to use other methods track which agency contractors
have already applied to a job posting.
Employer's History
Employers earn a reputation through our double-blind feedback
system just like you do. Pay careful attention to the comments and ratings left
by your fellow contractors.
Employer's Other Job Postings
Many employers have more than one job open at once. ODesk
give you links to their other job postings in case an different position might
be a better match - they may also offer information in these posts that could
be helpful for your application.
What's payment method
verification?
Employers must verify their payment methods in order to pay
oDesk for their jobs. Why? So that oDesk can offer you a payment guarantee on
all hourly jobs! Payment methods verification ensures that the employer is
authorized to use the credit card on file (or approved by oDesk to pay by
check).
There are three possible payment method verification statuses:
- Verified: The employer has
added a payment method and completed verification.
- Not Verified: The employer
has not added a payment for us to verify.
- In Progress: The employer has
added a payment method, but has not yet completed verification.
For maximum security, you may wish to apply only to jobs
displaying the Verified Payment Method badge. Just
understand that a new employer may not have had a chance to complete the
process yet. If the job of a new employer sounds like a great fit, consider
applying and reminding them to verify so you can get to work right away.
Key to the more detailed employer earnings and verification
badges used in job search results:
New employers who
have not yet verified their payment methods. 
New employers who
have already verified their payment methods. 
Employers
registered at least 60 days who do not currently have verified payment
methods. 
Employers registered
at least 60 days who have already verified their payment methods, but not
yet paid on a contract. 
Employers who have
paid more than $1 on oDesk contracts. 
Employers who have
paid more than $1,000 on oDesk contracts. 
Employers who have
paid more than $10,000 on oDesk contracts.
Warning
oDesk cannot pay you if the employer does not have a
verified payment method. But verification can often be completed in
less than a day. When applying to a job lacking a verified payment method,
please encourage the employer to complete the process as soon as possible.
What's the difference
betoDesken hourly and fixed-price jobs?
oDesk offers employers two types of of payment terms when
they post jobs: hourly and fixed-price. (Read our hourly vs. fixed-price
comparison to learn the advantages and disadvantages of each.)
ODesk pioneered the hourly model and it's become the method
of choice for most oDesk employers and contractors; therefore, many of our
features are only available for hourly contracts (reports, guarantees,
automated billing, etc.). But oDesk understand that hourly isn't right for
everyone in every situation. You may opt to post a fixed-price job instead. Just
remember that only hourly jobs carry our payment guarantee.
Note
For most contractors, the choice betoDesken hourly and
fixed-price comes down to how to you get paid. With hourly, billing is
completely automatic (and payment is guaranteed), whereas with fixed-price the
employer must submit every payment manually (oDesk does not offer escrow or
arbitration at this time). Read more about payments before you make your
decision.
How can I learn about the
employer?
Most employers choose to post their jobs anonymously - they
do not reveal who they are on the job posting. But oDesk still try to provide
some useful information about who you are applying to.
- Every post contains a Employer facts box with all the basic information
about the employer's account, such as when they registered, where they are
and their posting and hiring history.
- Once they have a paid job,
the Employer's History becomes visible (similar
to the work history on your own contractor profile).
- If there are any, oDesk'll
also give you links to the Employer's Other Job
Postings.
- Some employers will include
basic or detailed information about themselves or their company in the job
description itself. But contact info in the job posting is a violation of
oDesk policy, in which case oDesk ask that you please flag the job as
inappropriate.
- Employer's may choose to
display a small Company profile that can include
the company's name, tagline, logo and description. ODesk encourage
employers to include this information, but it is always optional. The
company's and hiring manager's names will be shared with you during the
interview. So oDesk encourage you to do your due diligence researching
them then.
Note
You'll have an opportunity to ask the employer all the
questions you want during your interview. You may even wish to ask a few
specific questions in your cover letter.
How can I receive alerts of new
jobs?
To include a saved search in your daily job
alert email:
You may mark up to three searches to include in a daily job
alert email. You may change your alert settings at any time. Alert emails are
sent out once a day and include the top 5 results of each included saved
search. (Learn more about managing your saved searches.)
- step 1:
Go to Find
Contractors & Jobs > Find Jobs.
- step 2:
Perform a search.
- step 3:
Press the Save Search button at the top of the search results.
- step 4:
Name the search and check the box next to Email me updates.
Note
Are you a member of a oDesk Group? You can run and save
searches from within the your group to find jobs targeting your niche! Each
group will have it's own set of saved searches and daily job alert email.
To save a search as an RSS or Atom feed:
Saving searches as feeds is the best way to make sure you
don't miss any new job postings. Any search can be saved to your browser's
bookmarks or turned into an RSS or Atom feed to receive automatic updates in a
feed reader.
Never subscribed to a feed before? ODeskb feeds are a great
way to subscribe to receive updated content from a oDeskbsite (learn more on Wikipedia).
If you have a Google or Yahoo ID or use Firefox, Safari or even Outlook you
already have easy access to built-in feed readers.
- step 1:
Go to Find
Contractors & Jobs > Find Jobs.
- step 2:
Perform a search.
- step 3:
Click the save search as RSS or Atom link at the top of
the search results. Your computer's default feed reader should
automatically pop up to appropriately handle your subscription. Most
readers can use either format, but RSS is generally preferred.
- step 4:
[Optional] You may wish edit your feed URL to make
it a referral feed if you plan to display it somewhere public. Users who
register for oDesk after following a link from your referral feed could
earn you a referral bonus!
Note
ODesk highly recommend all active job seekers save several
targeted searches as frequently-refreshing feeds to receive of all the latest
job postings. Each feed will return up to 50 results per update, so the more
often it refreshes, the less likely you are to miss a new job. In most cases,
every 30 minutes is the refresh schedule oDesk recommend.
How do I manage my saved
searches?
Saved searches are managed in Find
Contractors & Jobs > Find Jobs. The Your Save
Searches box is always at the upper right of the search results page.
Users are able to save up to 10 searches, up to 3 of which
may be marked for inclusion in a daily job alert email. Users may do the same
for each group of which they are a member.
You may add or remove searches whenever you like. But you
can't edit a saved search; it must be run, removed and re-saved.
- To remove a saved search for
your list, press remove next to it in Your Save Searches.
- To make any changes to a
saved search - including adding to or removing from job alerts - click the
search's name. This performs the saved search. You'll need to remove the
old saved search and re-save it to your list.
Note
Are you a member of a oDesk Group? Each group will have it's
own set of saved searches and daily job alert email. Go to each group's job
search page to manage your saved searches.
I found a job I like. How do I
apply?
When you find a job you like, carefully consider whether
you're a good match for what the employer needs. If you believe you are a good
match:
- step 1:
Write a custom cover letter specifically
addressing this job and what makes
you the perfect candidate. You may want to bookmark the job posting in
your browser (or flag it in your feed reader) so you don't lose it while
you write the cover letter.
- step 2:
Apply to the job. You'll need to set a rate for
your application, paste in the custom cover letter you prepared and accept
the oDesk User Agreement.
Note
The number of jobs you can apply to is restricted by your quota.
Successful contractors focus on submitting high quality
applications, not sending out the highest quantity possible.
I found a job that seems suspicious.
How do I report it?
In your searches you may come across jobs that seems suspicious.
Please flag these jobs so Customer Support can review them and take the
appropriate action. Just click the Flag as Inappropriate
link at the top of the job post, check a reason box in the pop-up, then hit
submit. ODesk do count on the community to alert us to issues in the
marketplace, so your assistance is greatly appreciated! Your identity will not
be shared with the user you have flagged. Our support team will review the
claim and take action as appropriate.
Note
ODesk especially appreciate your assistance in flagging
violations of our job posting policy, such as disclosing or requesting contact
info and offering payment outside of oDesk (ODeskstern Union, PayPal, etc.).
