Making The Perfect oDesk Profile

Psst...Click on the picture to read the entire series.

Now that you've read my last post and understood the major problems persisting on oDesk, we can work towards solving them. Well not in the literal sense, but we can definitely work towards alleviating their ill effect - you not landing a good job. The very first thing that you must do to ensure you get a good job is make a killer profile! This is absolutely necessary. On oDesk, when applying to a job, you don't actually send over a resume to your client when applying. All he sees is your profile. If your profile is not strong, you are at a huge loss. Also, when clients search for candidates to employ, they only glance through the profile. If your profile stands out, and in a good way, you are bound to get more than a few interview offers.

The first and foremost thing with regards to your profile is the title. It is also one of the most difficult to write correctly. For this, you need to think for a while. Choose the few words that best describe the services you provide. Do not overload this area with a ton of things. Remember, you don't want to appear like a jack of all trades, master of none. It is much better to clearly advertise what you are best at. Sure, there maybe allied services along with your primary skill that you might be great at, but this is not the place for them. I have actually come across the title below: 

SENIOR DEVELOPER heaving following skills:

PSD->WordPress/Shopify/Magento Developer.


PHP/HTML/CSS/JQuery/Javascript , My main Weapons in which i work :)

This is copied verbatim. Aside from the blunders in English, you know what's really wrong about this title? Well, everything! It's not a title at all. The freelancer could have written the same thing in the overview. That would have been the perfect place for it. When you write a title, it must be very clear and very, very concise. Effective titles like Content Writer, Blog Manager, etc., are great. On the other hand, adding experienced or senior to your title does not add to it, in fact, in my personal opinion, it only detracts from your title's overall quality.

If you do want to stress that you are that good, add something like Top 10% on oDesk, Top 1% on oDesk, but HAVE THE TESTS TO BACK IT UP! If you do not do that, then saying so is very bad practice. In fact, it is sure to reduce your chances of getting hired. Also, it is good practice to include the exact tests in which you are in the top 10% in your overview. Sure, your clients can always see the tests themselves, but they would really prefer to not have to make the extra effort. Everybody is happier having to do lesser work.

Apart from the title, another major part of your application is the overview. Writing the overview effectively is of the utmost importance. While the title convinces the client to open your profile, the overview sells you to the client. A good overview equals an interview, and hopefully, a job. When you write your overview, remember that it is an overview and not your entire biography. Keep it short, to the point and flaunt your qualifications and achievements. When I say flaunt your achievements, I don't mean literally flaunt everything, if you rescued a cat, good for you, NO ONE ON oDESK WANTS TO KNOW! The reason I stress this so is because I have actually come across such a description! Keep it relevant, short, sweet and simple. The employer has to got through hundreds of profiles. If yours takes him an hour to read, he is simply going to move on.

Keep reading the series on working successfully on oDesk. I will be blogging more about setting your pay and designing a portfolio. Stay connected to find out more, I would be more than happy to field any and all queries, just post a comment. Also, take a minute to join the Freelance Writer's Club. It's a great way to get periodic mails about new posts, useful resources and also, the occasional writing gig!