No Invites. No Hires. What's Wrong?

jpabloyn · ‎03-05-2020

I've been on Upwork for about two years now, and lately I haven't been getting any invites, nor have I been hired.

It's quite ironic, since I used to get invites almost daily when I was just starting out. Today I'm a Top Rated freelancer with a 99% JSS score, a much better profile than two years ago and not a single negative review, yet I'm not able to get interviewed/hired. It happened all of a sudden, from one day to the other I stopped receiving invites and getting hired.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

leeannmerrill · ‎03-06-2020

When did it start? Same thing happened to be starting about two weeks ago. Is this somehow connected to coronavirus freakout?

robin_hyman · ‎03-06-2020

Is this somehow connected to coronavirus freakout?

Not at all. I received 2 invitations yesterday. Both were asking for skills not in my wheelhouse.

robin_hyman · ‎03-06-2020

Juan Pablo Y wrote:
I've been on Upwork for about two years now, and lately I haven't been getting any invites, nor have I been hired.

It's quite ironic, since I used to get invites almost daily when I was just starting out. Today I'm a Top Rated freelancer with a 99% JSS score, a much better profile than two years ago and not a single negative review, yet I'm not able to get interviewed/hired. It happened all of a sudden, from one day to the other I stopped receiving invites and getting hired.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

I've also been on the platform for about 2 years. I stopped relying on invitations a year ago. They are usually not aligned with what I do. Instead, apply to jobs. Be picky about how you spend your connects. Spend time crafting a proposal that stands out among the competition. Keep trying.

Currently I have 2 ongoing projects and recently I've been contacted by previous clients. It couldn't hurt to reach out to clients you've worked with and check in to see 1) how they are doing and 2) if they have any work for you since you have some availability next week. Just don't sound desperate.

Good luck!

jpabloyn · ‎03-06-2020

Yeah, but it's weird, my profile has been getting exactly zero views for about two months now. There must be something wrong...

kbadeau · ‎03-06-2020

When I search for Spanish translation, you don't come up in the first 15 pages, so I gave up. Even searching Spanish Translation Juan you were on the 3rd page. Upwork rotates who comes up on top in search so maybe you're just in a lull because of that. I was getting not much for all of January and February, then last week my views spiked by 55% and I now have more invitations than I can respond to.

hgreenvid · ‎03-06-2020

Wow this is funny, I just made a very similar post to this. At first when I was replying to jobs I felt like each application got a response, and in the last 3 weeks not a single reply. I don't have any advice or insight, but I've definitely been having the same issue lately.

feed_my_eyes · ‎03-06-2020

Haley G wrote:
Wow this is funny, I just made a very similar post to this.

People make similar posts to this EVERY SINGLE DAY. Freelancing is tough and I'm pretty sure that the overwhelming majority of people on this website don't experience a steady, reliable stream of work (especially if they're new). You'll have ups and downs - it's normal.

mtngigi · ‎03-06-2020

Christine A wrote:
Haley G wrote:
Wow this is funny, I just made a very similar post to this.
People make similar posts to this EVERY SINGLE DAY. Freelancing is tough and I'm pretty sure that the overwhelming majority of people on this website don't experience a steady, reliable stream of work (especially if they're new). You'll have ups and downs - it's normal.

It's interesting to note how many people think freelancing is an easy, sure way to make a steady living. I wonder why they wonder what the problem is. I think some of it is Upwork's deceptive advertising.