Invite Only — After I Submitted Proposal

[18d41e19]

Hello, 

I successfully submitted a proposal for a project on Friday. However, when I looked at the post a few hours later it was Invite Only. There are only 5-10 proposals with 0 invites or interviews. I am new to UW and trying to figure out what happens in a case like this. If the original poster (an Enterprise client) meant to make the post Invite Only but mistakenly made it public do I lose the connects I used to submit a proposal? 

Additionally, I am more than qualified for the role and was more than likely one of the first proposals submitted but my proposal was not even viewed. Is there a reason that might happen?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[18d41e19]

[boost]

[ericaandrews]

Yes.  This happens often and can happen for a number of reasons:

1. The client saw a 'flood' of unqualified proposals rolling in, and decided to shut it down

2. The client posted the job but isn't quite ready to interview/hire just yet

3. Enterprise Clients: Many of these clients pay Upwork LOTS of money to fully manage all their hiring over Upwork, and often Upwork is handling the hiring/interviewing on the client's behalf so the client doesn't have to rummage through piles of unqualified proposals. There may be one or more Upwork 'talent specialists' assigned to handle hiring for this client, and they'll make the job 'invite only', so they can 'hand pick' the exact match the client needs or wants.  There lots of things a client may prefer in a freelancer that aren't necessarily easy to locate by performing a standard 'search' or putting up a standard job post  (Examples: Experience in a very specific industry. A certification that Upwork doesn't offer on freelancer profiles, a freelancer located near a specific city, a freelancer that likes to travel as-needed, etc.  Someone willing to work 'odd' hours)

Either way, no, you don't get your connects back unless the client closes the job without hiring anybody.

[18d41e19]

Hey CJA! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to offer a response. I also appreciate the insight into how this might happen. Kudos! 

My proposal was not at all 'unqualified' for the role. 😃 I submitted it when there were less than 5. I am careful to only apply to posts that I am well-qualified for and where I believe I can add value to the client. 

Thanks again! I hope you have the most amazing day. :sunflower:

[ericaandrews · Accepted solution]

I definitely don't doubt your proposal was qualified, but, unfortunately, there are many other  freelancers (especially new ones) that take a bad approach of submitting a proposal for any and everything, regardless of whether they qualify or not.  You wouldn't believe how many freelancers will send in a proposal for a job they know nothing about with a Cover Letter simply asking "Please give me a job. Please. Hire me, please." Basically, some folks are simply 'throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks."  It's very likely after your proposal went in, the client saw a 'flood' of proposals coming in from other people that didn't even remotely qualify and got annoyed. It's like an Inbox filling with spam.  Some clients will make the job 'invite only' to stop the 'flood' of proposals coming in until they get a chance to review what they've already received.

If you're only submitting proposals for jobs you're truly qualified for, you're doing the right thing and eventually it will pay off with persistence.

[18d41e19]

Wow! Thank you for that valuable insight. I assumed (wrongly I see) that all freelancers are responding to posts they are actually qualified for. Silly me! LOL!!! 

I really do appreciate the insight. I am new to UW and hadn't noticed the Invite Only on any posts before. Additionally, it was specific to my experience so I responded. However, what you are saying makes so much sense. 

I have been a hiring manager over 15 years and know what it's like to wade through resumes from candidates that didn't seem to read my job description/post. It can be frustrating to say the least. 

[e0eb1ddb]

It seems the suggested strategy for this site is to make hundreds to thousands of proposals with almost 0 chance of response all while paying money to make the proposals so that in the end you can pay to be paid.

Good luck