With oDesk, You Can!

Name: Ellen Nor Sarabia-Cordero
Location: Mansilingan, Bacolod City
oDesk Member Since: May 30, 2008

What she lacks in height she makes up for in skill and hard work, that's my first impression of Ellen. She's warm and welcoming and very friendly. I have known her for quite some time but never really had the chance to really get to know her. I do know that she has a good heart and has helped a good number of people get started with their oDesk freelancing career.

Here's my interview with Ellen:

What was your previous job before you decided to become a freelancer? Sorry, it's confidential. I signed a contract not to disclose any information about the nature of my work with the company but I think I'm free to say what I think and feel about the whole work set up. I worked graveyard shifts with little to no days off sometimes. You could say it was like working for a call center. Only with better pay. I just wasn't all that happy with the work hours. I didn't like the work environment either.

If I ever get offered the same job again, I'd most likely decline the offer. The only good thing that ever happened while I was still working there was the people I met and made friends with. I still keep in touch with them and yes, they are all oDesk freelancers as well. You might want to interview them later on. They have their own oDesk success stories to tell.

Where did you first hear about oDesk? From a very good friend of mine.

Is she an oDesk freelancer as well? Yes, but she stopped and moved to another country.

What made you decide to become a freelancer? I heard that the work hours were better so I decided to give it a try. I worked part time for a few months and later on switched to full time. I really enjoy working at home. I get paid better. I get to spend more time with my husband, with my family and friends. I can now even find time to travel.

Wow, that's awesome! When did you start working full time? Jan 2009

What kind of jobs do you usually get hired to do? Wow, a lot really and Odesk was able to help me discover my potentials. I do research, data entry, social media, link building and other admin support tasks. With Odesk, you are always given a chance to learn new things and you only get better and better as you go along. I think that is the best part of being a freelancer.

What obstacles have you encountered when you were still starting? I guess I'm one of the few lucky ones that has never really encountered anything too serious. I always get invited for interviews and most of the time, I end up getting hired and at a good hourly rate, too! I have never had any problems with my employers either. Most of the people I had the chance to work with had been very clear with their instructions and were always there when I have questions. I'm so thankful that they never gave me a hard time even when I was still an oDesk newbie. Would you believe it? I'm still under contract with some of them until now. That's three long and successful work years with the same great people. I cannot thank them enough for the trust and opportunity they gave me and of course, the many rewards and bonuses they give me during the holidays.

You must be really good at what you do then. Do you like being an oDesk freelancer? I would like to think that I have improved a lot since I first started. My employers had been very kind and understanding. They trained me and molded me into what I am today. I DO love being an oDesk freelancer. It's a blessing.

Ellen, you've inspired me and lots of other oDesk freelancers. Your oDesk success story is amazing. Thank you for doing this interview with me. No problem. Anytime.