How to impress buyer to get your first job in odesk.com

Anything for the first time is exciting to everybody but getting things for first time by compete with others is not easy at all. Similarly, getting first project/job in odesk.com may become very tough for you as well. Although you have very strong education background, you have worked excellent companies and you have very good working portfolio but find out your first project might tough for you as well. I have few suggestions which might help you to get your first project quickly.

Small Projects: Always apply for small projects rather then larger projects for your first few projects. Selecting small projects for apply is an intelligent decision because of their short requirement and time duration is also short. Moreover, you might not passionate for months for your first project. So if you choose small duration projects you can apply more. Slowly when your portfolio become rich you automatically switchover to larger projects.

Selection of buyer: As you already known that, applying a project will take 10 minutes to hours. And selection of project which you will apply for take maximum 5-10 minute. So it's wise first select which projects you go to apply. So when you analyze a project even before read job description have a look buyers few details like how many projects posted by this buyer, how many of them assigned to contractor, what rating & comments posted by previous contractors, and how he rate contractors. Many buyers only post projects, take your suggestions and discuss over and over, again and again. But not declare project winners for maximum of the cases. my suggestion not to apply this type of job for your first project which might get you frustrated.

Job Description: Read whole Job Description carefully. If you are not clear about any topic in job description please google first(if it's a searchable one) or ask buyer about it. It's very important for you to understand whole project clearly. Buyers are tricky sometimes. Intentionally they write something in job description which they don't make clear because they want you to ask question about that point.

Ask Question to Buyer: Ask relevant questions to buyer about project. Buyer always appreciate questions. But never ask irrelevant questions which cause negative impact of you.

Do partial of project: Its a very good technique to get your first project which really worked for me. Let me give you an real life example. I have found a medium range project where buyers main focus was on nexmo SMS API integration. Before submit my application i have created 2 page demo for him where i have implemented nexmo API free credit. And yes it's impressed client very much and i win the project.

On top of apply those projects which best suited to you, feel comfortable.

Happy Bidding !!!

How to create an attractive contactor profile in odesk.com

Standard and attractive profile is the right path of you to become selected of a Buyer. Buyers always looks for good looking profile and portfolio contractors. In order to win proposals in odesk.com you need to build a dynamic profile first. Here are few helpful tips i am going to share with you.

First of all, enter your real data in "My Account Summery" section. Don't use Mnomic or incorrect information in any section of your profile.

Education and experience is another important factor to attract buyers. Moreover, if buyer have a marketing job then he/she always prefer contractors who came from that specific background and with having experience in related field.. In addition, education system differ country to country, so write a bit more about your education qualification in optional comment field. On the other hand when you add your experiences, clearly mention what role you have played in that position for that company. Task/Responsibilities should be expressed very clearly.

Use a nice looking photo of you where your face is clearly reflected. oDesk is very conscious of your identity (including photo identity). A better approach of showing your identity is your national identity card.

If you have online/offline certification feel free to add in your profile to build a robust profile. Certification reflect your expertness in specific area which is a powerful tool to become a successful contractor.  

Portfolio Projects is very useful and most important factor considered for a buyer about you. Add here as much projects you have completed. No matter how simple or complex the project is, from a simple registration form to an big community site is good to show buyers in your portfolio. Specifically mention what language(like C#, PHP,  VB, Java), database(like MySql, Sql Server, Oracle), third party integration(like paypal, Fedex/SMS/Fax API), design(like html5, xhtml, responsive site) you have used for your project.

Set a fair rate of your work. For example, you have only 1-2 years of experience in web development then you can set your hourly rate from 5-8 USD per hour and must not 25 USD. Keep working hard and increase your rate day by day. On top of more and more projects with 5 star buyer rating will automatically motivate you to increase your hourly rate. Lastly i have a suggestion about rate is that, don't increase your rate like a rocket, instead increase it gradually (month by month).

Other Experiences is an additional option for you and add some only if you have any.

Happy bidding in odesk.com !!!

How do i prepare myself for odesk exams?

So far you have completed oDesk readiness test and you know basic functionalities of oDesk.com. Sounds greate and you have already decided which area/category you will bid for. It's time for you to take some preparation for their exams. A helpful tip from me "don't apply before you complete exam in your targeted area/category". Where from you start? Don't appear odesk exam/test directly. Before click "Start" button of exam consider following points:

1. First of all, collect Syllabus of odesk exam. 
2. Now google every chapter/section of Syllabus to figure out detailed area.
3. Before you get further preparation collect some sample questions of odesk.com by google search. Definitely these questions will help you a lot for taking your preparation. From my point of view, 2/3 sample question is fair enough for study.
4. Take time to solve all these question and study in detail. Don't try to find out only answers rather analyze correct answers and try to find out few more correct answers for same question. In this way you can improve your knowledge. 
5. To be honest, most of the cases people think themselves expert(what actually they are) and directly appear into exam. When exam starts they failed to answer 20%-30% questions which answers was known to them but can't recall in time due to lack of preparation.
6. Time management is another very crucial factor in odesk.com exam. If you want to snatch a good score then you have to maintain not only correct answers but also answer in quickest time. But don't push accelerator too much to over speed yourself which might lead some wrong answer. So be quick and passionate.

That's all in my mind, i hope and wish you become a successful one in oDesk.com exam.

Don't forget you have to create a outstanding profile by yourself before start bidding.

How do i prepare myself to become a successful contractor in odesk.com

Now a days, there are many options to earn money from online. One of the finest way to earn online is from different bidding sites. oDesk.com may be a good choice of you. They have two different type of users, contractor and client. I am writing this post from contractors point of view.

From my personal experience here are number of tips which surely help you to become successful.
Moreover, prepare yourself step by step before start bidding. Here are few steps of preparation.

1. oDesk.com have a readiness test which is mandatory for every contractor. Study their policy well take the exam as much as you need. From my experience if you read their policy (for every question they provide policy text) carefully then you can pass readiness test in 2nd or 3rd attempt. If you pass in 5th or 9th attempt odesk will never mind for that.
2. So you have completed readiness test and ready for bidding. This is the point where people actually do mistake. I am sorry to say, actually you are not ready for start bidding. You need to spent few more hours, even few days. Utilize next hours by browse oDesk category of works and think yourself which category best suite for you. This is very important and categories in which you found yourself experienced and more interested can be a good choice. So in this step you have to decide 3 or 4 categories in which you will bid regularly.
3. Prepare yourself for oDesk exam/test in those categories. Please note that, you can't retake any exam within 30 days once you appear for a test. So it's better to prepare yourself first by collecting exam syllabus, tips and tricks by oDesk and other experts. After that, study with those topics very well. Take help of google to study quick, you may search google by "odesk.com php questions(or any other exam name you intend to appear)". In this way you will get some questions, ideas and suggestions about that test. Study those questions and do some practice. Practice and practice until you are satisfied.
4. Now you are ready for exam. Without late start your exam and be very careful in answering questions because you can't get back to any question and can't quit an exam. Press 'Start' button means you can't retake this exam until 30 days is over.
5. After getting a good scores in 2-3 exams in oDesk.com you are now ready for 1/2 category of job. 
6. So you are ready for bidding? No. At this stage you have to create an excellent profile. While creating profile, never over estimate yourself, don't write what you are not actually. If possible write i have fair knowledge of ## where you think yourself expert of ##. In addition, create some portfolio if you have. If you don't have any project as portfolio item, do some sample project like "Member Registration Form", "Simple Inventory Management", "Member/Student Management" or anything(no matter how simple it is) and mention those in your portfolio item. Be careful and be honest always.
7. It's time for you to Start Bidding. In order to win first project in oDesk you have to be more and more passionate. You might need to bid 10-20 projects to win first one. Let me share my experience and a powerful tips to win first few projects. Read Job Description again and again until it's totally clear to you. Now try to prepare a small sample from whole job description. Specially try to do the critical/major section of project as sample. At least prepare a small portion of project for buyer to show so that he/she can become confident on you. On top of, ask questions to buyer as much as you need. But never ask any un-necessary questions.
8. Check email and notification in oDesk.com. Most of the times buyer will ask you questions or like to discuss with you. In time reply is another key to success.

Happy bidding and never forget "Honesty is the Best Policy".