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How to select a job board? |
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Tips -
for freelancers
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<< Jobboards – Are They Worth?
 There are plenty of job boards these days. They can differ a bit and you can try and chose which ones suits you best, but the major schemes are simmular. What should be kept in mind while making the choice and how to create e good profile?
First of all, if possible check the available payment methods before you sign up. Being international, most of the job boards use several types – PayPal, credit cards and so on. Depending on your home country some of them could be unavailable for you. Just make sure the site supports at least one payment method you can use to withdraw your cash.
PayPal is the globally the most recognized one. Moneybrookers is generally better and more convenient, but most probably you'd be using PayPal as most of the sites and client don't seem to know about MB. Get a bank account in some international currency like Euro or USD and a Visa, MasterCard or AmEx compartible debit (if not credit which is more expensive) card. Your PayPal works with just two US banks and you'll need one of the above cards to withdraw to and finally get your cash. That's right when you gather enough money on the site, you can order a withdraw (which takes place typically once a week) to PayPal; when the money get to PayPal, you order a withdraw to your card; when they get to your credit card, you eventually can get the cash from there in your currency. It coasts time and you pay taxes at each step 
Which job board to select?
You'd better sign up at several as you could get a wider choice of offers to bid at and if something bad happens in one (as being banned for some reason or receive a negative rating), you'd still be able to operate on the others.y you'd be using PayPal as most of the sites and client don't seem to know about MB.
y you'd be using PayPal as most of the sites and client don't seem to know about MB.
There are generally three types of them:
- General ones like GetAFreelancer, or ScriptLance gather all kinds of projects, clients and freelancers. This is good as there is something for anybody and you can find a project for you no (almost) no matter what you do. Just like fishing you can bid on lots projects and thus significantly increases you chances to catch something.
The problem with these is their greed. They are chasing numbers and don't really care about the freelancers, satisfaction or the quality of services being exchanged. Literally fair of course, but don't expect much judgement or customer care. Even if they lose you, they are constantly advertising and get new people on your place. At that places you are also more likely to meet shady people and unskilled wanabees that can promise everything but lack in keeping their promises.
It's OK if you just watch your back and don't expect much from the site's team. If you seek a fast turnaround, plenty of possibilities and don't wish to spend any money in advance – that are the places.
- More serious ones like Elance which consider themselves more as agencies, rather than a marketplace. They qualify both freelancers and clients and care for the fair, long and serious relationships.
If you hate risks and look to settle your skills somewhere this is the better option. Although it coast time and money to begin (yes, registration itself could be free, but try to get a project... competition, my friend).
- Some of the specialized ones are initially built over some community like FreelanceSwitch's. Mates understand each other, can and would walk in others' shoes. The effect for you could be a mixture of the above ones.
During the registration process pay some attention to the terms and conditions. Don't click “I Agree!” > “Next” as usual, but reed and remember the stuff. If you violate some rule, you will get banned and all your earnings and spendings still there would be lost (no, you can't withdraw, the website gets them and therefore is really waiting for you to make a wrong step). By the way, withdraw as quick as possible if you don't need the money on site – you never know when the things will go wrong.
Pimp up the profile!
After registering, fill your profile as much as you can. This is what the potential clients will see about you before making the decision who to trust.
- Make it look serious, trendy, firm and brief.
- Don't put contact details as it is usually prohibited by the sites' policies (however a small URL could be incorporated in your logo).
- Don't go into explanations what a nice person you are or how much you love your work. Most of the clients won't read this and will simply click the next bidder. Those who would will try to gain advantage using the info against you.
- Don't put too many skills. Clients would not believe you are really good in more than five things. OK, you can be, but it would mean you generally overrate your skills or you are a company (companies are not quite appreciated on the freelancer job boards). Besides this looks desperate and a few people wish to hire a whining “I just need some money, sir. No matter how. Please”. Want to work and get paid like a pro? Behave like one!
Another good reason to narrow your skills to a few, is that they would be used to filter what tasks you shall see or not. For a beginner it looks tempting to see as much as possible, but soon you'll get lost in tons of projects you are not suited for or unable to compete. Even if you have nothing to do but browse and read all day, you'd better browse just the kinds of projects you are good in.
Payment
Some of the job boards require some monthly fee, some a percent of the money you'll get (or pay if you are a buyer) for the project. Some both.
Even on sites that don't require payment in advance in order to start, it would make your life much easier – better visibility and chances to get a project, lower or no payment per project and so on. If you like the job board and start using it, consider paying the subscription fee – the investment would pay itself back in a no time.
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