Nov 18, 2019 06:09:06 AM by John D
Can I choose to keep my profile private if I am a free member?
I understand that clients will be able to view my profile when I bid for jobs.
Also, would this put clients off or would it make no difference?
Thanks.
Nov 18, 2019 06:25:37 AM Edited Nov 18, 2019 06:26:16 AM by Robin H
John D wrote:Can I choose to keep my profile private if I am a free member?
I understand that clients will be able to view my profile when I bid for jobs.
Also, would this put clients off or would it make no difference?
Thanks.
Yes you can and it wouldn't make a difference to clients. It just means you won't come up in search and cannot receive invitations from new clients. If you're new to the platform I wouldn't do it. You can also set your profile to public for Upwork users only.
Nov 18, 2019 06:34:29 AM by John D
Nov 18, 2019 06:40:54 AM by Robin H
Re: advising against a private profile, can you advise why? Is it the case
that clients will usually invite freelancers with no (or little history)?
I’m trying to weigh up the pros / cons against ‘being public’ whilst still
working for my employer.
If you have a clause in your contract with your current employer about not being able to freelance, yes that should be a no-brainer to keep your profile private. But there are many freelancers who have full-time careers but freelance on the side.
Pros for a public profile:
* Exposure to more clients = exposure to more opportunities. Clients will invite whoever they want for whatever reason. You have every right to decline the proposals that aren't a good fit for any reason.
* If you are struggling with your profile content we (the Upwork community) can offer advice
Many freelancers set their profiles to private because they have a steady stream of clients and don't want invitations.
Again you can also set you profile to public for Upwork users only so your profile won't come up in a google search.
Nov 18, 2019 09:14:35 PM by Preston H
I am not even sure if a client can tell what your privacy status is when you apply to his job posting.
As a client who has hired freelancers for dozens of jobs, I have never known the privacy setting of any freelancer I hired, and I can't recall seeing any way to see that info.
I guess if I really wanted to I could try searching for a freelancer by name... but why would I do that?