Reasons I have withdrawn proposals - maybe a helpful 'point of view' as you begin your Upwork journey as a client :
1. Client takes too long to respond to the proposal. Usually if I don't hear something back within 24-48 hours (excluding weekends/holidays), I just withdraw it and move on. This is especially true if I re-open the job post and see the client hasn't logged in and looked at the proposals since they posted the job. I do it for several reasons. A client moving 'slow' reviewing proposals usually moves 'slow' during the interview/hire process. Also, I figure if they are 'unresponsive' from the outset, they are going to be 'unresponsive' throughout the project/contract, which limits the likelihood of the project being successful. I also don't like a 'backlog' of old proposals sitting in my queue, or for the client to randomly show up weeks (or months later) suddenly interested in 'interviewing', when I've completely forgotten about the job and moved on. That has happened to me several times. Sometimes, I've gotten other offers during that 24-48 hour period while that client was moving 'slow' and had to withdraw the proposal because my availablility changed. Things move fast on Upwork, especially with such a labor shortage: While one client is 'thinking about' hiring somebody, another client is already sending them an offer. This is the primary reason I withdraw a proposal: The client simply took too long to respond, the proposal is 'old news' to me, and I so purge it from my queue.
2. I got a 'bad vibe' about the client or project or the client was rude/unprofessional/offensive or left me with the impression they weren't honest, knowledgeable, or trustworthy for one reason or another. It's hard to explain what a 'bad vibe' is, but if I hear a voice in my head that says 'avoid this person', I listen to it, no questions asked. I've never had anything good come of getting a 'bad vibe' about anybody and giving them a 'chance' anyway. If something seems 'off' about anybody, whether it's a client or a stranger on the street, I go the other way.
3. The client can't clearly explain the scope of work, describes different needs other than what the job post says, doesn't understand the complexity of the task they need done, or has unrealistic expectations about how fast (or cheaply) it can be done.
4. Client posted a job offering a particular fee/rate, or 'accepted' my proposal with my offered rate/fee, and then wasted my time by trying to 'bargain down' to a rate/fee other than what I proposed. For instance, a client advertising a rate range up to $80/hour, then starting an interview and informing me "I'd really like to keep the rate under $30/hour, if possible". Complete bait and switch waste of time.
5. The client has been bombarded with proposals or is 'interviewing' or 'inviting' too many people. If I see the client now has 50+ proposals since I sent mine in, or is 'interviewing' 8, 10, 20, or 30 people (along with me), I just withdraw the proposal. If they invited 30, 40, 200 people to their job, I withdraw the proposal. It's almost always a waste of time (for me) waiting on something like that, and it's usually going to take them many days, weeks, or months to finish all that and make a 'decision', by which time I've already moved on and lost interest in their job.
6. The client decides to interview me, but it becomes evident they didn't even bother to read the proposal or my profile fully. This becomes evident when the client starts asking questions that are already clearly outlined on your profile, or should be evident from your profile. Example: "So, have you ever managed any projects before?" when you have 20+ years of experience doing just that outlined in the profile. It's insulting, suggests the client either didn't understand what they were reading, or was too lazy to read it and want you to re-type your entire career history all over again in a 'chat'. No thanks. Don't have time.
7. The client started the 'interview' process but is moving too slow, is 'spotty' with communications, or keeps 'ghosting' during the process. For instance: The client sends me a few detailed questions. I respond within minutes or an hour. The client disappears for many hours or several days, then pops back online and asks a couple more questions. (repeat cycle) It's a waste of time, the client doesn't look 'serious' to me, and my availability is changing in the interim.
8. A call/video interview is scheduled with the client and they either don't show up at all or are more than a 'few' minutes late without notice or a lame excuse. This behavior is indicative a person that doesn't respect other people's time. I don't treat others that way, and don't tolerate it from others. Proposal is immediately withdrawn and I usually block the client for being unprofessional and disrespectful.
Freelancers do not withdraw proposals to 'use' those connects on other jobs. It does not work that way. Once the connects are spent, they are spent. Freelancers don't get 'refunded' by withdrawing proposals.
