About job invitation from Upwork Talent Specialist

[bilal1983]

Good Day everyone!

I received a job invitation today, but this is the first time I received one that was sent by a Talent Specialist. The job was a great match, and I accepted the invitation and sent a proposal.

I had a few questions about it, if anyone who knows would be kind enough to answer:

1. Would the client receive my proposal as a best match? The talent specialist in her message also mentioned that she thinks it would be a great fit.

2. Previously when I accepted invitations, my response automatically activated the interview on Upwork chat, and I was able to send messages to the client. Is it the same process on invitations from talent specialists? I don't see the conversation pop-up on chat yet.

3. On the said job post, I noticed that there was a link to a Google Form, and client asked to apply through that form. It asks for name, email, nationality, location and time zone. All fields are needed, so I can't skip the email. It's a new client, and probably not aware of this rule yet. I haven't sent the form yet, but I don't want to miss the opportunity. What should I do?

Thank you.

[feed_my_eyes]

You can politely tell the client that you can only give them your email address after you're hired, and invite them to ask you questions on the Upwork message board instead. It's strange that they would ask for your name, location etc., since this information is already visible on your profile. You should treat them with the same caution as any other new client, and not assume that the talent specialist has vetted them.

[bilal1983]

Thanks, I went ahead and submitted the form, and in the email field politely declined like you suggested.

It was actually a full-fledged interview form, with 2 more pages of job and candidate related questions.

[pgiambalvo]

Yes, never assume Upwork has vetted any post. But you'd think that a Talent Specialist wouldn't invite you to a job that has a requirement that you fill out a Google form to apply in the job post itself which is basically an invite to communicate off of Upwrk before a contract has been set up, which is a violation of the ToS.

[bilal1983]

Well, yes it looks like it slipped past the talent specialist or she did not open the google form link, so doesn't know if there was a violation of ToS. It does not say on the job post itself what information is requested on the google form.

Speaking of which, I have noticed a number of clients that ask freelancers to apply through such google forms, with a series of screening questions on it, often it asks for email address. And in the end one has to submit the form and wait for further response from client. I believe in most cases the clients are genuine, and either not aware of the ToS or just think it is more convenient for them to ignore it. My first contract was through a google form. I don't remember if they had asked for an email address. The client had shortlisted me based on form submitted and then hired through a contract offer.

[firescue17]

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Bilal M wrote:

... it slipped past the talent specialist ...

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😆😅😂🤣

[bilal1983]

🙂 Yes Steve, as in I'm trying to be understanding here, and saying it is not too big of a deal. It just slipped past you know...

[feed_my_eyes]

I think you should flag the job post so that Upwork can look into it and at least let the client know that they can't request email addresses from freelancers.

[bilal1983]

Good idea. Just flagged it and put a message in to Upwork that it's just about the email address requested. Hopefully, the client can remove that and more importantly keep the job post alive and consider me for it 🙂

[AveryO]

Thank you, Christine.

I can confirm that the team is reviewing the client's account and job post.