RED FLAGS to look out for when you feel like you just have to apply for this job.

[39e8026f]

If you find yourself looking for work and come across job postings that contain a combination of these factors, apply with caution. 
- Hourly rates that are in the upper ranges ($50-$125) looking for entry-level applicants 

If a person or entity was capable of paying out compensation equivalent to a salary of $96K-$240K a year, they would hire on a standard employee through an official process, and at $240K a year that individual or entity would want more than an entry-level applicant and the skill-set to justify the payroll expense.

- 0% hire rate
- Profiles that were created within a week of the posting

- 20-50 applicants and a high number of applicants (20 or more) "interviewing"

Profiles posting jobs with high rates will have a lot of applicants but to have interviews in the double digits could mean that there is no vetting process taking place. Proposals are not being reviewed and interview invitations are being sent out in bulk. This is something to be concerned with. Also consider that a firm, individual, or entity looking to invest a lot of trust and money in an individual will do so with much more scrutiny and careful thought. The selection process will take a lot longer than it takes to drink your morning coffee. If you find the job, apply for it, receive notification it is viewed, and receive a message back within a one or two-hour window, something is off.

- Very generalized details of the work needed

- No need to prove your skills

This goes back to the compensation. A job anyone can generally do will come with a generally acceptable level of compensation. Some industry professionals, considered experts in their field may not reach compensation levels of $125 an hour. Especially not without proof of their ability.

Be wary when applying for jobs that contain combinations of these factors to save yourself time and frustration, and keep your investment in your freelancing careers safe. There are some out there looking to exploit our drive to get ahead.  Take some time to look at what you are being offered and by whom and ask yourself, "Does this sound realistic?" Do some research if you have to before you spend a single Connect on a moonshot opportunity.

Hope this helps someone. Now stop wasting time and get back to work! 

[tjmisny]

The biggest red flag for me is an AI generated job posting. 

If a job posting fits that same AI format that Upwork encourages clients to use, odds are they are not serious about finding a skilled candidate for a worthwhile collaboration.  The most likely clients to use the AI shortcut tool are clients who don't care about quality, collaboration or authenticity and just want cheap work quickly.  Clients who just want cheap work quickly are never going to give you, as a Freelancer, the respect you deserve.  

[39e8026f]

Absolutely! And what you said plays more to the extreme opposite of the spectrum of what I was saying. Those looking to hire anyone who will work for a couple of bucks and get things done "right now". The one-and-done clients. Those are great for those first-time Upwork members who need something to put on their profile so it doesn't look like a template with their headshot on it. But the quality clients who need someone with skills and commitment tend to fall in the middle and are genuinely looking for a freelancer to, as you said, collaborate on not just that project, but future projects. Good addition!