Account and Profile Settings On oDesk As a Contractor

Getting Started on oDesk 

Tips:

• Present yourself as a talented, serious professional.
• Your Online Profile & Portfolio: Words Matter

 

 

Creating an Effective Profile

Tips:

• Market yourself — Don't just say "software designer" if you can say "PHP developer with strong Javascript and AJAX skills."
• Choose the tests that you take carefully. You can retake a test every 30 days to try to improve your score.
• Many new contractors temporarily set lower rates until they build work history and feedback. 

How do I add an hourly rate to my profile?

The profile rate is your opportunity to tell employers how much you generally charge. This rate may be higher or lower than the actual rates shown in your work history and does not prevent you from individually negotiating new contracts.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Go to the My Account Summary section and click the Change link.
3. step 3: Enter your Hourly Rate. The form calculates the oDesk Service Fee and the Charge Rate that will display on your profile.
4. step 4: Press Save.

Note

Changing your profile rate will not affect your current contracts or job applications.

Agencies

The profile rates of exclusive agency contractors can only be updated by their staffing managers. In addition, exclusive agency contractors will not see their own rates if they click through to "View my profile as others see it".

How do I control my profile visibility?

oDesk offers three profile visibility options within our marketplace:

1. Public: Your profile is visible in the marketplace to everyone — employers, contractors and visitors alike.
2. Users Only: All logged-in oDesk members can see your profile in the marketplace. Use this option to hide your profile from search engines but keep it visible in the marketplace.
3. Private: Your profile is hidden in the marketplace. It will be accessible only through your job applications and contracts.

Setting your profile to Public or Users Only means the general public or logged-in oDesk users, can:

• Find you in contractor search results.
• Click through to your profile in the job applicants lists on job postings.
• Click through to your profile from your forum posts.

Regardless of profile visibility, your profile has the same permalink, which you or others may share or bookmark. Anyone can access your profile using this permalink.

Only public profiles are set to be indexed by search engines through oDesk. However, any profile may become indexed if you post a link to it on an indexable page, including social networks, blogs and our own forum. In addition, setting your profile to private will not remove you from employers' lists of saved contractors.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the My Public Profile section and press the Edit button.
3. step 3: Select a Profile Access option.
4. step 4: Press Save.

Agencies

Exclusive agency contractors' profile visibility is controlled solely by their staffing managers.

How do I find and share my profile permalink?

A permalink is the URL you should bookmark or share to give direct access to your profile. Anyone can access your profile using your permalink.

You may share your permalink as you would any other URL. Paste it into an email or chat, post it to your social networks or even include it on your business cards. Your permalink is not the same as the URL that appears in your browser address bar. Be careful to share the correct URL.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the My Public Profile section.
3. step 3: Click the link to View my profile as others see it.
4. step 4: Select and copy the permalink at the top left just below your portrait, name and title.

Warning

If your permalink is posted anywhere indexed by a search engine, your profile could appear in search results regardless of your visibility status.

Agencies

Exclusive agency contractors' profiles in step 3 above exclude rates and earnings. Their permalinks are therefore also to this financeless version of the profile.

How do I add a title to my profile?

The title is your opportunity to advertise your area of expertise to employers. Be descriptive, concise and above all, spell everything correctly.

Think of the title as your headline. Tell the employer who you are in as few words as possible. Don't pack in every skill you have, but do highlight your primary talent.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the My Public Profile section and press the Edit button.
3. step 3: Enter a Title. The plain text editor cannot accept any formatting tags.
4. step 4: Press Save.

Note

Avoid using decorative characters because they make you look unprofessional. Do not repeat your name; it already appears next to your title throughout the site.

How do I add an objective statement to my profile?

The objective statement is your opportunity to tell employers why they should hire you instead of any other contractor. It's especially useful for showing off your priorities, personality and professionalism.

Think of the objective as a sales pitch. You need to tell the employer why you're worth interviewing and hiring. Make it about what you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the My Public Profile section and press the Edit button.
3. step 3: Enter an Objective statement. The plain text editor cannot accept any formatting tags.
4. step 4: Press Save.

Note

The first 400 characters or so will appear in the contractor search results list and are therefore essential to your success in attracting interview invitations. If employers don't like your objective statement they won't bother to click through to your full profile to learn more about you.

Warning

Never include your contact information (email, phone, chat ID, etc.) anywhere in your profile. Review the full profile guidelines.

Example

Sample Overviews

Here are samples of good Overview statements for your profile. While you can go into detail in the Skills and Work History sections, the overview is the place to "sell" yourself in a brief, upbeat statement that really captures your skill set and attitude.

---

Software Designer
Self-directed and motivated Technical Project Leader with 5+ years' experience in Java/J2EE, .NET and PHP technologies. Excellent at developing and maintaining client/server applications. I am hardworking and a fast learner with good communication skills and a strong design background.
Marketing Writer
I'm a professional marketing writer with a decade of experience working with in-house marketing departments at technology startups and established Fortune 500 companies. I work quickly and efficiently, with an eye toward your target audience and SEO needs. Client satisfaction and quality work are my top priorities. See my portfolio for examples of website copy, press releases, brochures, blog posts, social marketing campaigns and more.

How do I add portfolio items to my profile?

The Portfolio Projects section should be used to show off examples of your past work. It's especially useful for showing off your experience related to the field you're pursuing on oDesk.

Your portfolio items need not have been from oDesk contracts or other paid work. You may also post volunteer work or samples created specifically for your portfolio. If you are using samples of paid work, be certain you have permission to use them from your employer.

Portfolio items can be added, edited or deleted at any time. However, they cannot be reordered. Your portfolio items are always sorted with the most recent at the top.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the Portfolio Projects section and press the Add button.
3. step 3: Enter a Title and Description. The plain text editor cannot accept any formatting tags.
4. step 4: Select the Date and Category.
5. step 5: [Optional] Add an Image, Attachment and/or URL to show employers an example of your skill in use.
6. step 6: Press Save or Save and Add More.

Note

The portfolio is especially important for new contractors who have not yet established a reputation on oDesk. If you don't have samples of past work (or permission to use them), use volunteer work as an opportunity to expand your portfolio. No matter what your skills there's always some way to demonstrate them.

How do I add my employment history to my profile?

The Employment History section should be used to show off your past jobs, both paid and unpaid. It's especially useful for showing off your history related to the field you're pursuing on oDesk.

Employment History can be added, edited or deleted at any time. However, it cannot be reordered. Your educational history is always sorted with the most recent at the top.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the Employment History section and press the Add button.
3. step 3: Enter a Company Name, Title and Description. The plain text editor cannot accept any formatting tags.
4. step 4: Select the From and To dates and the level of Role you played.
5. step 5: Press Save or Save and Add More.

Note

Describe your past work experience. Feel free to include student jobs, internships and volunteer experience. While these aren't technically "employment," they are relevant work experience. Generally, only history relating to the types of work you seek on oDesk need to be listed. Many employers will want to see that your work history supports the type of jobs for which they are hiring. However, if you've had an unusual combination of jobs, consider adding some in other areas — it can make you stand out when an employer needs experience in a particular field.

How do I add my education to my profile?

The Education section should be used to share your educational and training. It's especially useful for listing degrees related to the field you're pursuing on oDesk.

Education can be added, edited or deleted at any time. However, they cannot be reordered. Your educational history is always sorted with the most recent dates at the top.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the Education section and press the Add button.
3. step 3: Enter a School Name, Area of Study and Comments. The plain text editor cannot accept any formatting tags.
4. step 4: Select the date you Started and Ended and the Degree you earned.
5. step 5: Press Save or Save and Add More.

Note

Describe all your degrees. If you studied a subject, but did not graduate, feel free to include that as well. More education is always a good thing. You may want to include a list of relevant classes, clubs and/or projects in your description. Or enter these in your other experiences if you want room to discuss them in more detail.

How do I add my Brainbench and other certifications to my profile?

The Certifications section should be used to show off scores from Brainbench or other (non-oDesk) testing companies and industry accreditations.

Certifications can be added, edited or deleted at any time. However, they cannot be reordered. Your certifications are always sorted with the most recent at the top.

Brainbench

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the Certifications section and press the Add button.
3. step 3: Enter the Brainbench ID and URL.
4. step 4: Select the Earned date, test Name, Score and Percentile earned.
5. step 5: Press Save or Save and Add More.

Other Certification Services

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the Certifications section and press the Add button.
3. step 3: Enter the ID, Name, Organization, Comments and URL.
4. step 4: Select the Earned date.
5. step 5: Press Save or Save and Add More.

Note

Brainbench and other certification services often charge a significant fee. So if you earned any relevant credentials during your employment history, be sure to include it. Don't add your oDesk skill test results — they get their own section in your profile.

How do I add skills to my profile?

The Skills section should be used to share your areas of experience and expertise. It's especially useful for listing software, platforms and languages.

Skills can be added, edited or deleted at any time. However, they cannot be reordered. Your skills always appear in alphabetical order.

The skills field will automatically pull up a list of the most popular entries that match your entry (popularity is based on the categories you've chosen). For example "wor" could bring up Microsoft Word, Wordpress and Solid Works. This helps everyone use the same terms and makes it easier for employers to match you to appropriate jobs. Describing your skills is optional, but strongly recommended. Clear and concise descriptions of when and how you've used the skill can be very persuasive to employers and help you stand out from the crowd.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the Skills section and press the Add button.
3. step 3: Enter a Skill and Description. The plain text editor cannot accept any formatting tags.
4. step 4: Select how many Years of experience you have, your experience Level and when the skill was Last Used.
5. step 5: [Optional] Add a URL to show employers an example of your skill in use.
6. step 6: Press Save or Save and Add More.

Note

Describe your skills. Be specific with the names. For example, list your experience with Word and Excel separately, instead of just lumping them together under something like "Office programs". Generally, you should only list those skills that are relevant to the types of jobs you want to get. For example, there's probably no need for a graphic designer to show off an outstanding typing speed.

How do I list my profile in categories and subcategories?

The Categories section determines how your profile will be listed in the Find Contractors marketplace. You may choose up to 10 subcategories. You will be also be listed in each category associated with your chosen subcategories.

Category selections can be updated at any time. Your category selections will appear on your profile Overview tab in the same order they appear on the category selection form.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the Categories section and press the Add or Edit button.
3. step 3: Select up to 10 subcategories.
4. step 4: Press Save.

Note

Be selective. Focus on your most specialized skills. But it's OK if you're interested in more than 10 subcategories. You are welcome to search for and apply to jobs in any category.

How do I add other experiences to my profile?

The Other Experiences section should be used to share anything you haven't been able to fit into the other sections of your profile. It's especially useful for talking about personal interests or research projects.

Other experiences can be added, edited or deleted at any time. However, they cannot be reordered. Your other experiences always appear in alphabetical order.

1. step 1: Go to Username dropdown > Account & Profile Settings > My Contractor Profile. You may be asked to enter your password or answer your security question for security reasons.
2. step 2: Scroll down to the Other Experiences section and press the Add button.
3. step 3: Enter a Subject and Description. The plain text editor cannot accept any formatting tags.
4. step 4: Press Save or Save and Add More.

Note

Show off your personality, your quirkiness, your unique abilities. This is the place to say anything you couldn't find a place for elsewhere in your profile. But again, keep it all relevant to the types of jobs you'll be applying to.