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nikkibdraws
Community Member

Is it my portfolio or my proposals keeping me from finding work?

Hopefully, I'm asking this question in the right place. I decided to try freelancing back in August, and so far, I've had 1 job and maybe 6 or 7 interviews that didn't lead to anything. I don't know if my lack of work is because my portfolio is weak or my proposals are boring. I thought the best way to narrow it down would be to come here and ask.

 

According to my stats, I've applied to 92 jobs over the past 3 months. Although, I wasn't as active most of November because I decided to work on my portfolio. I've already read several articles about writing proposals. Based on their advice, I try to keep them fairly short and I've stopped mentioning my years of experience. Here's an example of a proposal I sent out recently:

 

"Hey [Client's Name]!

 

I see you need someone to update the design for a product's packaging and label. Print design is one of my specialties, and I'd like to work with you on this. I've attached a few packaging design samples to this message. Here's a link to my Upwork portfolio, if you want to see the rest of my work: https://www.upwork.com/o/profiles/users/_~01ff0671cde1ea4179/.

 

Will the new label and packaging be the same dimensions? Also, do you already have a dieline for the carton or will one need to be created? I would love to discuss the project in detail, if you have time to chat.

 

All the best,

Nikki Berry"

 

8 REPLIES 8
christopherbudde
Community Member

Your profile is set to private.

It looks like Upwork set it to private because I haven't made any money. Figures that would happen the day I decided to ask people about my portfolio.

eldread
Community Member

Hopefully Upwork will make your profile public again so we can take a look.

 

Regarding the lack of proposals, it could be a combination of things. It might be your proposal (which I think does need mention of your experience), it could be your portfolio isn't 'wowing' people. But it could be something that you didn't mention: the type of jobs you are applying for. I've always had a good ratio of applications to interviews because I've been very selective in the jobs I apply for. I look for the jobs that closely match a) my skills and b) what I think I will excel at. Notice I didn't say the jobs I want. If I apply to a job I want, but my skills/portfolio don't match it, most likely I'll get overlooked (not saying this is the case with you).

 

Another tip I can offer is to tailor your proposal by using keywords the ptoential employer has used in their job notice. You want to show that you've read their submission and it's not just a cut and paste number on them (again, not saying that you're doing that).

 

For what it's worth, here's a proposal that I use that has been good to me (you would obviously substitute my portfolio for yours):

 

Hello, My name is Ainsworth Ellis and I am a Toronto based web and graphic designer who has been creating for over 15 years. I have a great deal of experience developing Wordpress websites and transforming them into the client's vision. To date, I have worked on and launched 200+ Wordpress websites, all with varying degrees of customization that have been requested. I am very comfortable working in Wordpress as it is my preferred platform; this allows me to have quick turnover times for all the sites I work on. Here are some recent Wordpress websites I've completed:

 

http://auroracompoundingrx.com/

http://cablewinesystems.com/

http://flowcreation.co.uk/

http://tropical-trading.com

https://realpoker.ca

https://wefighttraffictickets.ca

http://www.naproduce.com/

https://www.paprowinecellars.ca/

http://www.solairaheaters.com/

 

You're partnership sounds very interesting and I'd like to discuss it further if possible. Thank you for your time and feel free to view my portfolio https://www.upwork.com/fl/ainsworthellis

eldread
Community Member

I had a long reply written out, but I don't think it ended up getting posted when I clicked submit Smiley Sad

 

Anyhow, we will have to see your profile then go from there.

AveryO
Community Manager
Community Manager

Hi Ainsworth, 

 

I fished out your post from the spam quarantine. 

 


@Ainsworth E wrote:

I had a long reply written out, but I don't think it ended up getting posted when I clicked submit Smiley Sad

 

Anyhow, we will have to see your profile then go from there.


 


~ Avery
Upwork
eldread
Community Member

Thanks, Avery. Maybe it was the links that set off the spam trigger. I just cut and pasted a proposal, but next time I'll exclude the links

AveryO
Community Manager
Community Manager

Hi Nicole, 

 

I've set your profile to public. If your profile is set to private again after 30-days, or sometime in the future, check out the options listed in the email notification or in the pop up on Find Work page to set it back to public. You may read more about this in this help article.

 

I'd like to share these articles from our Hiring Headquarters for more tips on how to write a successful proposal. Hopefully, it will help you create proposals that win jobs, and help you boost your career on Upwork:


~ Avery
Upwork


@Avery O wrote:

Hi Nicole, 

 

I've set your profile to public. If your profile is set to private again after 30-days, or sometime in the future, check out the options listed in the email notification or in the pop up on Find Work page to set it back to public. You may read more about this in this help article.

 

I'd like to share these articles from our Hiring Headquarters for more tips on how to write a successful proposal. Hopefully, it will help you create proposals that win jobs, and help you boost your career on Upwork:


 Thank you. I did click the pop-up on the Find Work page, but that last time that happened, it took them a few days to set my profile back to public. At least now, it's be set to public the same day. Thank you for the links, too.