oDesk Forum - Tips and Best Practices

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:34:23 +0000

Update: The Learning Center is expanding!

Watch video tutorials and webinars:
Buyer Learning Center
Provider Learning Center

Get a great overview of the oDesk system and advice to help you make the most of your oDesk experience:
Buyer 101: oDesk Essentials
Provider 101: oDesk Essentials

Vote Result

Score: 9.0, Votes: 2

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:46:32 +0000

Some of you may have received an email or will be receiving an email about identity policy violations on your profile.

Please review our identity policy here: http://www.odesk.com/help/help/policies/identity_policy and update your profile accordingly.

For anyone who may not be aware, the identity policy forbids (among other things):

• Using a logo as a profile portrait
• Using any picture that isn't of you as a profile portrait
• Using a fake name on your profile

Users who fail to update their profiles in a timely manner may be suspended. As always, we appreciate the community's assistance in flagging any profile that violates any oDesk policy.

When these notifications were sent out via email, it was noted that several bounced as undeliverable. So I'd also like to remind you to check your personal email address on file. It's very important that it's a deliverable address so oDesk (and your buyers) can reach you.

Vote Result

Score: 8.8, Votes: 11

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:21:13 +0000

oDesk users often have questions (/comments/concerns) about the rates here on oDesk. Here's two of the most common questions, and their basic answers.

1. What kind of rates are oDesk users earning? It varies, but oDesk tries to be as transparent as possible. Please check out the oConomy and Trends for statistics. Remember: you always set your own rate.
2. What about minimum wage? There isn't one because (a) our buyers and providers come from around the globe, and (b) US minimum wage laws do not apply to contractors (aka freelancers or 1099ers).

Before you post your own thread on the topic, please read what your fellow users have already said on the subject. We encourage our users to actively participate in the community. Just read up first so you can be an informed participant.

Here's some comments voted 'most helpful' that you should check out:

• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/5613#comment-16765
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/5900#comment-17498
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/1565#comment-9124
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/4599#comment-13084
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/4265#comment-12074

These are past discussion threads addressing rates and minimum wages. Feel free to join the conversation or debate.

• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/5467
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/5900
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/1565
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/5613
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/4053
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/4265
• http://www.odesk.com/community/node/4599

Beyond the oDesk forums, here are a few blogs that come highly recommended:

Vote Result

Score: 6.0, Votes: 5

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Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:04:37 +0000

what does seo stand for exactly? and what exactly does a seo job entiltle?

Vote Result

Score: 1.0, Votes: 1

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:32:51 +0000

Hi This is Prince I am New at oDesk.
Here is my pofile
http://www.odesk.com/users/~~3aed11126a2cbf05
I am trying to get jobs from past 1 month but still not getting any.
Can someone help me out
Looking forward for some useful suggestions and Tips

Thanks in advance

Vote Result

Score: 5.5, Votes: 2

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:11:57 +0000

HELLO. DOES NAYONE HERE KNOW HOW TO WITHDRAW MANOEY FROM PAYPAL?
I added my bdo debit card. It has the mastercard logo on the card but it says there after attempting to withdraw that i have to see my issuer of the card. i went to bdo and they said they do not receive money from paypal. heres another issue. my remaining monthly limit is 0 and i have to add a credit card to lift this limit so i can withdraw. is there a way that i wont be using a credit card to withdraw money from paypal? there are sites that says its easy to withdraw money from paypal through philippine bank accounts. comes with is a list of so many banks to use but they dont work. aside from union bank, which other banks can i use to withdraw without using any credit card? as of now, i only have robinsons bank, bdo and dbp bank accounts. please help asap

Vote Result

Score: 0.0, Votes: 0

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:36:51 +0000

I've been with oDesk for almost two weeks now, luckily I was invited for around 6 INTERVIEWS already, problem is I COULDN'T pass through interviews..either buyers do not log back in to oDesk anymore or they don't respond to my email or projects are awarded to other providers. I checked some of those jobs where I was interviewed and I saw that the Buyer paid higher compared to my bid. Also, I try to respond to buyers' emails as polite and as quickly as I could. So, I'm thinking, what else could be the problem? I know I'm getting there, but if you have more "secrets to success" that you want to share, feel free to do so.

Also HOW do you decide on your BID? On my profile, I placed there $2.22 (I think its good enough for a starter like me?), but when I apply for a specific job I check first the average bid from other providers and see if I can still lower my bid or stick to the average bid. In some situations where I bid higher than $2.22, will that have a negative effect to the buyer (seeing that I bid higher to what's written in my Profile)?

Big Thanks for reading this far.

Vote Result

Score: 3.5, Votes: 2

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Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:35:10 +0000

This tip is based on my experiences at Odesk. Although, I am new enough to the community but at least I want to share you some thing guys.

Basically most applicants prepared only Comprehensive Resume and Writing an Effective Cover Letter in applying for a job. BUT I'm sure this will really help if you try to consider these things.

Don't be worried enough if you're not in the number one position in submitting your applications but what is important is you keep your positions either top 10 to top 15. This is where buyers have an eye on this area because if you're in the last place tendency is, the buyer either interviewed or hired someone.

If you have the listings already on what are the openings you are going to apply, just make it sure to familiarize the job with regards to preparedness and willingness to it. Play around with the tools and if there are videos available go for it. By then, it's easier for you to convince them that you're the right person for the job.

Don't "COPY/PASTE" your cover letter else this will lead you to nothing.

Specify in your cover letter on what you can do to help them and how familiar are you to the job. Site some examples based from the experience you have in familiarizing their tools. In that sense, buyers find your willingness and commitment to the job.

Be honest enough as to what level of competencies you can offer to a specific job.

It is my pleasure to know if these things will really help you in finding your future job.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Vote Result

Score: 3.5, Votes: 2

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Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:13:27 +0000

I came to know from paypal that When receiving money from some one who is not in same country there would be 3.9% charge for cross border transactions

Vote Result

Score: 0.0, Votes: 0

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Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:23:43 +0000

Hi, I am a provider, and I am assigned to an assignment wherein my buyer is not there all the time. In other words, communication is not good at all. The buyer didn't gave clear instruction on what to do.

I would have to wait for 4-6 hours just to talk to the buyer through skype. And from there the buyer would then give instructions on what to do and we are doing that 2 hrs. each day since I'm only limited to work 10 hrs per week.

I've tried to talk to the buyer about setting a certain time each day, so that I would not wait for him to go online and give instructions. I myself have a lot of things to do, rather than waiting for him and not sure when he's online. There are some day, where I haven't done anything at all since he's not online.

I want to end the assignment gracefully since I am not comfortable working with a buyer like this. Schedule-wise it's really not working well on my end.
Pls. help and let me know what you think.

Vote Result

Score: 4.5, Votes: 2

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