How-To: Create a Great Profile For Odesk Account

A great profile shows potential clients your value as a contractor. You want to encourage clients to invite you to apply to their job postings. This is your first chance to make an unforgettable first impression. Put some time and effort into creating a profile that separates you from the crowd!

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Build your Profile

A great profile answers the fundamental question, "Would my profile make clients want to hire me?" If your profile doesn't answer this question with a resounding "Yes!" and stimulate interest, it isn't great! Use these helpful guidelines to create a noteworthy "stand out from the crowd" contractor profile.

• The first few lines of your objective statement are critical. This is your chance to grab and hold an client's attention. The introductory words display without line breaks in search results; alternatively, they show with line breaks on your profile. Potential clients read this portion of your profile first. Tell readers why you are the best candidate for their job. Build their interest in the first few lines, because you want them to read more in your profile.
• Individually list your skills. Job skills are the keywords that display prominently in search results. Since oDesk provides specific search fields for skills, individually list your skills, rather than use generic bulk categories. Since your goal is to find jobs that match your skills, be honest about the skills you claim to have. This tip will improve your chances of attracting the attention of the right clients and earning great feedback when you successfully complete the work.

Note

Update profile information often. Remember to add new skills and experiences after each job is finished. Make certain you add new employment, education experience, work-related certifications, job skills or portfolio pieces on a regular basis. You want to show potential clients you are productive, hard working and worthy of their attention. You want them to offer you a job.

• Avoid decorative characters in your title. Decorative characters, such as hearts, dots and triangles often interfere with how your profile displays and they do not look professional. Make a great first impression and leave them entirely out of your profile.
• Spell check and proofread your content. Use your favorite text editor and carefully check spelling and grammar. Ask a friend to proofread your content for awkward wording or other mistakes. Clients look for profile flaws, because they seek contractors who pay attention to detail. Provide potential clients with reasons to invite you to apply.
• Your profile must comply with the oDesk Identity Policy. Use your own real, verifiable name. Your profile portrait must be a reasonable and timely likeness of yourself. You should also be the only person that shows in your portrait. The portrait should be friendly, yet professional. Remember that your profile portrait is what clients see first when they read your profile. Take a few minutes to review the oDesk Identity Policy.
• Create links for examples. Referenced work you mention in your profile will create outside links (URLs). Although oDesk allows URLs as portfolio or work-related examples, avoid their use as a form of direct contact with clients or as a source of advertising. Understand and comply with oDesk policy when you create your profile in order to avoid potential administrative problems or future changes.
• Get permission to use examples and portfolio pieces. You often need a current or past client's permission to display content in your portfolio. This applies to both oDesk and outside clients. Secure permission before you share any content to avoid potential problems.
• Take as many oDesk tests as possible. Begin with the oDesk Readiness Test, because it teaches you about oDesk. Successfully passing this test increases your job application quota and includes your profile among other contractors who are oDesk Ready. Consider other free skills tests; there are over 340 of them. Most contractors publicly display their test scores over 4.00. You can filter out low scores until you retake and improve your exam grade.
• Check your profile visibility. Did you know that your contractor profile has a privacy configuration? These three privacy settings are:
  1. Public - your profile is visible to everyone on the Internet.
  2. oDesk Users only - your profile is visible to authenticated oDesk users.
  3. Private - your profile is visible only to clients when you apply to jobs.

Your profile visibility settings determine a listing in oDesk search results. Clients can access your profile via job applications and contracts regardless of privacy settings, but the correct privacy configuration affects whether or not others can access your profile from a search or job posting list of applicants.

oDesk contractors are professionals; your great oDesk profile is part of a large online collection of seasoned contractors. Conduct yourself according to the highest business standards to ensure your success at oDesk. Create a great profile that shows clients you "standout" from among the best job candidates available online in your field or industry.

As soon as your profile looks perfect, continue reading our next article: Apply to Jobs

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