Aug 20, 2020 09:26:58 AM by Michael J
Hi Community!
We’re always looking for ways to improve the experience of creating an account and getting started on Upwork. Who better to help us find opportunities than freelancers and clients who are new to Upwork? We would really appreciate your feedback on any challenges you faced while getting started on Upwork. This includes the signup process, creating your profile, submitting proposals, searching for jobs etc. We’re open to all feedback, but you can use these questions to guide your thinking:
We look forward to your responses and helping to improve the experience of new users.
Aug 21, 2020 06:17:53 AM by Mary W
Mike, I've said it over and over and will reiterate once more. A part of profile approval should be passing a meaningful test, featuring the important terms of the TOS - contact with clients, how payment works, verification of ID and all those things that clog up the forums. I cannot think of another way to suss out the auto-accepted, the fake ids, and the just generally unprepared FLs. Several of us have actually offered our services to create a meaningful test.
Mar 21, 2021 12:40:03 PM Edited Mar 21, 2021 02:11:09 PM by Luiggi R
**Edited for Community Guidelines**
Jan 7, 2021 09:51:02 AM by Syed Hassan S
I am agreed with Mr. Mary!
Many unsuccessful and new freelancers don't understand the importance of ToS because Upwork does not force it on them.
Every freelancer should know its importance because freelancing will be the carrier for many potential freelancers who join Upwork, and these new freelances can be extremely productive.
Apr 15, 2021 05:58:35 PM by Joanne P
Hi Josaphat,
You are expected to abide by Upwork Terms of Service when using the platform. To learn more about the Terms of Service, please check this help article.
May 11, 2021 04:45:24 AM by Gideon M
Hello,
am new and i would like anyone to assist me with preparing my proposal.
Thanks.
Sep 28, 2021 11:22:26 PM by Douglas M
After sending a proposals, after how long will one know if he or she secured the job? where will one get the notifications of the jobs secured?
May 3, 2021 02:54:03 PM by Rahana B
Hi Josaphat, TOS means "Term of Services" which is very important to know.
May 3, 2021 03:22:11 PM Edited May 3, 2021 05:21:05 PM by Joanne P
Hello,
i need to have a refund. Please i need help !
**Edited for community guidelines**
The person ask me 286$ but didn't make a job and don't exist....
Chantale
May 3, 2021 05:23:43 PM by Joanne P
Hi Chantale,
It looks like you have already sent our team a message on Facebook. They have replied to your message and will continue to assist you there. Thank you!
Jan 19, 2021 09:26:26 PM Edited Jan 27, 2021 07:24:32 AM by Michael J
I've concurred with Mr. Mary!
Numerous fruitless and new specialists don't comprehend the significance of ToS in light of the fact that Upwork doesn't drive it on them.
Each specialist should know its significance in light of the fact that outsourcing will be the transporter for some potential consultants who join Upwork, and these new consultants can be amazingly gainful.
**Edited for Community Guidelines**
Jan 23, 2021 04:26:47 AM by Ayodeji O
One of the many basic reasons why I left Upwork a while back. I understand the point Mary is making and I speak for many other that it's not about having stringent guides and test registration condition but a little extra security to put both Freelancer and Client minds at peace.
Feb 23, 2021 09:56:17 AM by Jean J
Ditto Ayodeji O!
Upwork makes the service fee off the client but is failing to bring in more secure methods to prune out scams (clients going outside the system or getting around the payment system, getting enough work in the project for them to use, then giving a bad review or failing to pay) and scammers (freelancers who have fake id, profile etc... to get those contracts)
May 17, 2021 07:26:58 PM by Welle-Rauland O
Good morning! I'm new here and I have also been wondering how to prove my skills and how do I get a good level of recognition without necessarily having spent years around.
May 17, 2021 08:15:13 PM by Pradeep H
Hello Roland,
You can read up on the freelancer resources for great tips and insights on how you can work successfully on the platform. For more information about working safely through Upwork, please read these tips for avoiding questionable jobs.
Thank you
Pradeep H.
May 22, 2021 11:04:45 PM by Chima K
Hi Mary, I 100% agree with you, a thorough test along side ID Verification would be very very useful!
Aug 21, 2020 12:26:40 PM by Kitt W
Everything seemed to go very smoothly. I even got responses fairly quickly. But I keep getting permission denied messages when I click on the responses from the people who would like to submit a proposal. Therefore, I can't review or reply to the people who've sent me a message. There doesn't seem to be an obvious answer to this issue. As a newbie, I'd like to know that it can be easier to access the proposals.
Aug 22, 2020 12:34:53 PM by Nichola L
Mike J wrote:Hi Community!
We’re always looking for ways to improve the experience of creating an account and getting started on Upwork. Who better to help us find opportunities than freelancers and clients who are new to Upwork? We would really appreciate your feedback on any challenges you faced while getting started on Upwork. This includes the signup process, creating your profile, submitting proposals, searching for jobs etc. We’re open to all feedback, but you can use these questions to guide your thinking:
- What wasn't clear?
- What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
- What would have helped you in the beginning?
- What have you learned that has made it easier for you to find work?
We look forward to your responses and helping to improve the experience of new users.
______________________________
If you trawl through the "New to Upwork" thread, it won't take you long to find the answer to your questions.
When I read this thread, it seems that, apart from a lack of understanding the connects system and the 20% service fee, many newcomers have problems actually setting up their accounts, uploading and arranging portfolios (not limited to newbies), religious issues where photos are concerned, and the verification process.
As Mary said. The main problem that newcomers have is that they do not read the help pages and they do not read the ToS, before launching themselves into the deep end of freelancing, which inevitably leads to at best, misunderstanding, but usually tears, or even drowning.
Aug 22, 2020 08:39:46 PM by Amanda L
Nichola L wrote:As Mary said. The main problem that newcomers have is that they do not read the help pages and they do not read the ToS, before launching themselves into the deep end of freelancing, which inevitably leads to at best, misunderstanding, but usually tears, or even drowning.
I 100% agree with this. When I was new, even though I did read the TOS, the most important points didn't really register - no circumvention, no communicating outside Upwork pre-contract, no accepting checks for "expenses", etc.
Sep 2, 2020 12:54:00 PM by Diane B
And even if the TOS are read, there are some things that we still might have questions about. For example, I am having some issues knowing how and what to showcase in my portfolio. My previous editing work has been with books and journal articles that went on to publication and many documents that are confidential. I'm just not sure about the best way to put that out there.
Sep 2, 2020 02:27:16 PM by Andrea G
Hi Diane,
In your portfolio, you can showcase any projects related to your skills as long as you personally have worked on every item you add and the content doesn't violate the Terms of Service. If you've completed those projects for a client, make sure the client is okay with you posting the work on your Upwork profile. You can check with them directly on that.
Thanks!
Sep 29, 2020 04:11:44 PM by Faith A
I just joined, and I can't seem to FIND the help pages and ToS? I'm looking for just a simple overview... like when I signed up, it would have been nice to recieve a quick welcome and 'how to' email, showing where I can find all these things. I have no idea how to use 'connects', or what that means. Guess I'll just dig around.
Sep 29, 2020 06:48:28 PM by Joanne P
Hi Faith,
You can find more useful information and advice on the freelancer resources we have compiled here. With submitting proposals, you may benefit from reading this Frequently Asked Questions on TOS changes regarding information sharing and interviews. For more information about the Upwork TOS, please check here.
Oct 5, 2020 02:38:54 PM by Cigdem S
Oct 5, 2020 03:14:08 PM by Andrea G
Hi Cigdem,
I checked and it looks like your profile is still Under Review. Please know we typically take between 24 to 48 hours to review your application and we will notify you via email if your application is approved or declined.
Thanks!
Feb 16, 2021 05:16:31 PM by Melanie C
I am brand new. Honestly, I was thinking there would be an obvious page where I could read the rules and see information on how everything works. Some kind of manual/guide should be easily located on the site. I uploaded a readiness test but had no idea where to get the information on which the test was developed.
I see mention of apps etc. I made a profile and submitted a few proposals. I am hopeful that if and when one is accepted that I will be able to figure out how to go through the process. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Feb 17, 2021 04:01:57 AM by Clare B
I'm quite new too and it isn't that easy to navigate, and frustrating at times when there is no human to help, we are just kinda flailing about out here... but all part of the adventure I guess. The whole thing really does take time and effort. But I have had a couple of contracts now and I am persevering. I wouldn't rely solely on Upwork, but it is a tool for us. My experience has literally been tial & error ans investing some time finding my way around. Over time it starts to unfold and its a good one for patience testing too.
There is a manual, hopefully this link will work:
Wishing you luck!
CB x
Aug 22, 2020 11:42:11 PM Edited Aug 22, 2020 11:47:54 PM by Martina P
Why not move the readiness test (which is too easy anyway) into the approval process and make approval dependent on the score? I know the results would be available on the internet in a matter of seconds, but still... it would at least force newbies to familiarize themselves with the platform a little and not be so wide-eyed and clueless. (With a special section for US based people that says: NO CHECKS!)
Regarding my personal experience: I found it easy and intuitive to register and create a profile, and luckily a real nice client responded to a proposal in a matter of days, so everything went quite smoothly. I have to admit that I was puzzled a lot by JSS calculation and other things, but after a few whacks on the knuckles by Petra I finally got it, as far as it is meant to be understood, that is.