Believe me, you don't see them everyday. I happen to have had some bad luck just recently and found myself working for one of the not-so-good ones but it's okay, everything's sorted. I learned my lesson from the experience and I know the "New Yorker" also learned his. My advice to new oDesk contractors and other freelancers, don't just apply for any job just because it pays. Here's a short checklist to help you find great employers:
✓ Check how much they have spent on oDesk. Go for companies who can afford to pay oDesk contractors at a good rate.
✓ Check how much they have spent on oDesk. Go for companies who can afford to pay oDesk contractors at a good rate.
✓ Companies in good standing are not reluctant to hire contractors that charge 2-10 dollars per hour. It's a much lower rate compared to what people in their country are charging although if they are on a tight budget, they would most likely hire contractors that charge only 2-3 dollars.
✓ Check whether the job they posted contains instructions. Instructions should be clear and concise, not misleading.
✓ Check the feedback they received from their contractors and the feedback they gave to them. You should see it at the bottom of the job post. It should tell you whether the company is great to work for or not.
✓ If they are the sort that demand too much and pay very little, why bother? Who would want to work for peanuts? I sure don't! Move on to the next job post!
✓ Check whether the job they posted contains instructions. Instructions should be clear and concise, not misleading.
✓ Check the feedback they received from their contractors and the feedback they gave to them. You should see it at the bottom of the job post. It should tell you whether the company is great to work for or not.
✓ If they are the sort that demand too much and pay very little, why bother? Who would want to work for peanuts? I sure don't! Move on to the next job post!
Have you had a bad experience as an oDesk freelancer that you want to share? I welcome guest posts. All you have to do is let me know in an email that you have something to share.
Good points you have here! Although you may need to clarify point #2. Do you mean that the company/employer is good if he or she isn't hesitant to hire at $2-$10 per hour?
ReplyDeleteAs a contractor, I'd be more hesitant to work for companies who are after those who'd charge within that range because I'm afraid they'd only be basing their choices on price. If a company or employer is really that good, he or she would be willing to hire the contractor at whatever rate he or she deems reasonable so long as the latter performs as promised.
Just my two cents. :) And to answer your last question, yes I've had several bad experiences with clients on oDesk, 90% of which I could have avoided. Tsk tsk.
Thanks for pointing that one out, Stef. When I wrote this one I was thinking about the majority of Filipino contractors who charge at around 2-10 dollars and failed to include contractors from other countries. Filipinos charging any more than that are usually those with a higher level of skill set (programmers, graphic designers, project managers, etc) But have to agree, go for companies who are willing to hire contractors at whatever rate the contractor sees fit and no, definitely not just within the range I mentioned in my post.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you checked out my blog. I was reading yours a great deal yesterday and love your posts!