Tips for finding that first job

[#1]

Hi all,

Welcome to the Upwork Community! We know landing that first contract can be challenging, so we built Upwork Academy and threads like this to help you get started. With a lot of resources and so little time, we wanted to put together some recommendations for you to check out first:

• New to Upwork: Finding Work
• Identifying and communicating your value
• Creating a proposal that wins work

Do you have a specific question or maybe a tip to offer? Reply to this post and share your question, advice, or words of inspiration!

[#2]

1. Are you also experiencing the same?

[#3]

I just joined (like 5 days ago) so It hasn't been a long time, but I see a lot of people saying they never got any jobs and have been here for a while...

[#4]

hi ,

can u help me to get my first job.i am expert in lead genreration

[#5]

Hi everyone, I am writing this share my plight with respect to not getting jobs and invitations to job post on Upwork. I have spent so much money in purchasing connecting and yet no job, this is too sad. I need job Upwork!

I am a Legal Practitioner from Nigeria, JotForm Expert and a Web Scraper.

Upwork please reduce the price of connect and this boosting game. They are not helping the current situation. I have spent more on connects that I earn on Upwork in the last 4 months. Upwork please do something.

Thank You! 

[#6]

I've been using this platform to apply for various jobs for almost a year
now, wasting connects, and what I got was nothing.

Please type your reply above this line.

[#7]

Hey all, so as it says in the title. I am 2 weeks on the platform and no bites. 

I've had a few "client views" but no further inquiries, and I'm pretty sure my 21 years of experience as a video creative should be a pretty alluring factor, as well as the many big names I've completed projects for. Or are these factors just not being seen?

Are there any pointers anyone can give up to push me in the right direction? Or is it just a waiting game?

best

Daz

[#8]

Hi there Darren,

Other than this problem of yours, I hope you are doing great. It is good that you have a massive amount of experience in your field but on Upwork, it's not enough. It does play a role in your success but you can't skip the most basic steps.

To become great, you need to first accept that you are not great yet. Don't skip the basic steps thinking "I am better than that"

You need to understand how Upwork works. You won't start getting invites right away, and no it's not a waiting game you need to act and start submitting proposals for jobs. Keep submitting proposals and you will eventually get hired. When submitting a proposal make sure you write a great cover letter, it will increase your chances of getting hired.

Upwork on its own is a very large topic and I suggest you watch the playlist given below to understand it.

**Edited for Community Guidelines**

This is a great Upwork guide and I suggest it to anyone just starting on Upwork.

As for the getting views and not getting further inquiries part. It's been 3+ months since I started Upwork and I haven't received any (organic) invite yet. When starting, you should never depend on '' getting invited by a client " but focus on applying for jobs instead. Once you create somewhat of a strong presence, you will automatically start getting invites.

If you keep delivering high-quality results, eventually a time will come when you won't have to apply for jobs anymore, but instead, you will get invites directly from clients.
I am sure it is worth it, one has to thrive for it.

[#9]

Review serveral 'Learning Path' videos discover 'new' ways to make yourself stand out as an expert in your field.😃

[#10]

I always submit proposal and searching available task or job from client in related to my profile job but it is not easy.. a lot of applicants boosted and always top and priority for iterview and for hired. Any clients out there open task?

[#11]

Yeah, not always the easiest thing when you first start. I never boost, but I have excellent feedback, apply for new jobs all the time and still sometimes it's slow. When I first started, I submitted hundreds of proposals and got nothing. Eventually, I started landing here and there and just kept trying to build. You'll likely spend more than you're making initially.

[#12]

It's awesome that you're applying for jobs in your field or a similar type of job.

However, there are thousands of freelancers also applying.

Some suggestions might be to view a Learning Path video focused only on: Cover letters and Profiles.

This will grab the attention of the AI Algorythms in the proper words that will match the clients needs on their project (job) proposal in the 'find jobs' section.

[#13]

Please information need help 

[#14]

please see my profile and give me a suggetion for get a work . I'm totally new in freelaning job

[#15]

Hi my name is Arisha, I am a freelancer and I have been trying to get a job on Upwork since September and still haven't found one. I've applied to over 20+ positions and most of them got cancelled/taken down because they violated upwork's policy and I haven't gotten any of my connects back for those, I believe that the policy is that once that job posting is removed I receive my connects back. I am a social media manager/marketer and I really would like to start working but I only have 3 connects and all the job positions I've applied for I haven't gotten any response even though it's been 3+ weeks and I spent a lot of connects on them. How can I get started and actually get a job? My rate is only $10 an hour and I keep lowering it just so I can get a position but I'm still not hearing back from any of my applied contractors. 

[#16]

​You should receive the connects back if the job was actually canceled.

Yeah, that's just how it is. I filled out hundreds of proposals before landing a job. You're going to spend more upfront to land.

I would also add a real profile picture, fill out your summary more and add some items to your portfolio.

[#17]

For Upwork community resources, check out community.upwork.com. It's a valuable hub for tips, discussions, and insights to enhance your Upwork experience.

[#18]

I don't know if this proposal is legitimate:

Sounds Fishy and a Scam....no details of 'Exactly What Words' We are to be saying or recording?

Client lists 'emotions' not Exact words.

Could get us in trouble as words might be unethical?

After a bad experience I had, I hestitate. Here is what I received:

We are seeking native speakers for a Voice Acting project.

The objective is to collect natural and spontaneous audio recordings in various emotions and styles.

Details:
- 53 short recordings.
-Total recording duration: Approximately 40 mins (Please estimate preparation time as well.)
- Payment: $45

Specificities:
- Emotions: Happy, Sad, Fearful/Afraid, Upset, Surprised, Disgusted, Interested, Confused,
Bored, Ironic/Sarcastic, Neutral.

Equipment needed: Professional microphone or smart phone (from 2020 or newer).

*We cannot accept contributions from residents of the State of Texas and the State of Illinois.

*All the recordings are to be uploaded on our recording platform.
*All payments are made on Upwork.

[#19]

Hey. What are Connects and where do I get them and send them?

[#20]

Hi Peter Mugi,

Welcome to Upwork! As a freelancer or agency, you'll use Connects to reach out and let clients know you're interested in their projects. They are used in Submitting and Boosting your proposals. Also, in turning on your Availability badge.

There are three ways to get Connects on Upwork. You'll have your Monthly Free Connects, you can Buy, and Earn them. Feel free to check this help article to learn and understand how Connects works. Best of luck!

[#21]

Hello everyone,

I'm a mechanical engineer and have good skills on mechanical design and IT sector. I'm looking for getting my first job here on Upwork for mechanical design jobs and/or CAD projects (including highly detailed and complex projects) and/or IT projects and/or professional social media management and/or web design projects (especially wordpress.com and CSS based) and/or technical english language translation projects.

I have advanced level skills on Solidworks (3D modelling, assembly section, Solidworks motion, simulation, PDM, high quality rendering, 3DVIA composer) and AutoCAD 2D/3D and NX Unigraphics. 

I will be adding more items to my portfoilo soon including videos and animations from my previous work and I will be adding consultation options here on my Upwork profile. 

Could you please help me with getting jobs here on Upwork as I'm new to Upwork ? In turn, I will try to help the people contacted me to get more jobs and projects as much as I can.

In general, I'm available here on Upwork as I'm using Upwork android app, too. Therefore, anyone can reach me via messaging here or directly via my phone number anytime they wish to.

Please have a look at my Upwork profile and my professional background --> 

" https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01fa0f76ef4120c4c8 "

My payment method is verified. 

Thank you very much for your help. 

Best regards,

Cansin

[#22]

hello, I am an graphic design on Upwork and I have been here for less than a year now. And I have still not been able to get jobs. I have have even bought connects to keep up with the bids and I have also completed my profile. I don't know what to do again 

[#23]

Hi, Support. How are you?

I have created profile 4 months ago and i have earned 3865$ total. during the meantime, I have 6 reviews(complete)

But, I can't get anyjob for 7 days. to be honestly, client didnt's see my proposal. What am I doing wrong?

Could you help me how to do and what to do?

Best Regards

[#24]

Q? I am, away from Upwork, a limited company and have been for 7 years. Would my project prospects be better under my company umbrella or stick to my name as a freelancer?
you can view my work here...
s8creative.net

Daz

[#25]

i am a newcomer,,plz give feedback so that I can enrich my profile

[#26]

How to find my first client