Hey fellow freelancers,
I wanted to open a discussion about a common issue many of us face on Upwork: poorly written job descriptions. It's frustrating to spend precious connects on proposals for jobs where the client hasn’t provided enough detail for us to understand the scope of work. Here are some of the main issues I've noticed:
1. Lack of Scope Definition: Many job posts don't clearly outline what the client actually needs. Vague descriptions like "Need help with a website" or "Looking for a writer" and in my chosen field, "Need help with audio" but then no clue about the project's size, specific tasks, or end goals. It leaves us guessing and often leads to a mismatch in expectations.
2. No Examples Provided: Having examples can significantly help freelancers understand the client's vision and standards. Unfortunately, many job posts lack any reference materials or examples, making it difficult to gauge what the client considers quality work.
3. Missing Language Requirements: Especially in projects involving languages, clients often forget to specify which linguistic skills are required. This omission can lead to misunderstandings and wasted time for both parties. Is it Spanish, English you need? What is it?!
4. Spending Connects on Guesswork: Freelancers are required to spend connects to apply for jobs, and when job descriptions are inadequate, it feels like we're gambling our resources just to find out what the client wants. This system puts the burden on us and can be quite costly over time.
How Can We Address This?
I'd love to hear your thoughts and any strategies you've found effective in dealing with this issue.
Thank you!
Pedro
