Start a Contract?

[shannon-buhman]

Hi,

I'm pretty new to the Upwork community and to freelancing in general. A potential client wants me to do a paid test sample before hiring me, but he just sent the project to me via messaging. A previous potential client who wanted me to do a paid test sample started a contract to do the test. So, I'm wondering if I should be requesting this new potential client to begin a contract before I start the project?

Thank you!

Shannon

[mwiggenhorn · Accepted solution]

Yes.  Never work until the contract shows in the "My Jobs" tab.

[shannon-buhman]

Ok, I figured, but I just wanted to make sure! Thank you!

[violet_balbae]

Hi Mary,

I have a similar situation in which a client wanted at first to have a conversation via skype and show my knowledge and skills.

We've done that and we've set another call to walk him through the platform that I'm supposed to work in, however no mention of contract. I've told him that we will need to put something official in place before moving forwards but even though he asked me about my hourly rate he didn't submit any offers.

He still wants me to continue delivering him training for the platform he is interested in so basically explaining him what would I do but again no offer. I had to message him that I'm not able to attend anymore calls if we're not getting to an agreement.

I understand that you need to prove that you can do the job but I feel that he is actually trying to get free training for that specific platform so he won't need to hire someone. What do you think? Should I stick to my point about the contract?

thank you,
Violet

[gilbert-phyllis]

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Violet B wrote:

Hi Mary,

I have a similar situation in which a client wanted at first to have a conversation via skype and show my knowledge and skills.

We've done that and we've set another call to walk him through the platform that I'm supposed to work in, however no mention of contract. I've told him that we will need to put something official in place before moving forwards but even though he asked me about my hourly rate he didn't submit any offers.

He still wants me to continue delivering him training for the platform he is interested in so basically explaining him what would I do but again no offer. I had to message him that I'm not able to attend anymore calls if we're not getting to an agreement.

I understand that you need to prove that you can do the job but I feel that he is actually trying to get free training for that specific platform so he won't need to hire someone. What do you think? Should I stick to my point about the contract?

thank you,
Violet

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Hi, Violet. Think about it. If you continue to provide free training to this person, he will happily accept it until he has what he needs, then disappear. If you insist on having a contract in place before investing any more of your time or expertise in this, he will either send you an offer or he will disappear and go waste somebody else's time.

[bstojadinovic]

Hi Violet,

You are not hired for this job and shouldn't provide any work until a client has sent you an offer, you have accepted it, it's showing on your My Jobs page as an active contract, and the client's payment method is verified.  Please review the resources posted in this thread, ask them to hire you before you can start working. 

Please, check this help article for more information on how to use the flag option found on each job post or message to report any suspicious or inappropriate content. Also, check out this post for more tips on how to avoid questionable jobs.

Thank you!

[tlsanders]

Yes. Never start working on anything without a contract.

[shannon-buhman]

Ok, thanks!

[irma2513]

Yes, of course it can be a potential work. But ensure the client fund the milestone first before do the test sample. Good Luck !!!