What is an "invite?"

[lagengen]

Hi, I see a lot of talk about Upwork invites and how to get them, or why some freelancers aren't getting as many as they used to.

So please explain, what is an "Invite" and how do I get them? Is this something Upwork does outside of the proposal process? Is it the same as a message accepting a proposal?

I've been on upwork two months. I submit proposals everyday for jobs I'm qualified for. Although I've been secured two clients in response to my proposals, I don't believe I've ever received an "Invite." We just communicate via upwork messaging. I've never been invited to interview either. My stats show I've had 0 interviews, even though I've accepted many proposals from these two clients. Is the invite the automated email updates we get daily from Upwork about jobs we may be interested in? Thanks! 

[prachi163]

An 'invite' is when a client sends you a message to view their job posting and apply to their job if you are available. 

Since you say you are very new on the platform, you haven't yet received an invite. But once you continue to do good work and build your portfolio and Upwork experience, you might start receiving invites from clients. When you receive an invite, you don't need connects to apply for the job. 

[lagengen]

Oh that's good to know! Thank you!

[cfdbb26f]

Thank you for your feedback that is very good to know. Thanks 

[gilbert-phyllis]

Welcome to UW! By now, you will have figured out that clear, unambiguous terminology is not UW's strong suit.

A client posts a job. A freelancer submits a proposal in response. The client may message the FL with questions, additional information, etc. That is what UW calls the interview. Or the client may bypass that step and send an offer.

A client may also search FLs and find one or more that seem good prospects for the project, and invite those FLs to submit proposals. That is an invitation or invite. The only way to get those is to have a bang-up profile and some track record of success, even a short one. 

You may, from time to time, receive an invitation from an UW Talent Specialist to submit a proposal for a job they think aligns well with your skills and credentials. Said job may or may not have anything remotely to do with your skills and credentials. Examine those just as critically as the ones you find yourself. The TS system does NOT know anything you don't know, in terms of the quality of fit between you and that job. Only you can judge that.

[lagengen]

Thank you so much. Very clear. Maybe UW should hire you to write a glossary
of terms!

[sergio-soria]

Don't get too excited about receiving an "invite" because being new in Upwork means you are a target for scammers. So the first couple you receive will probably be about jobs you are not related to, jobs where you don't need any experience, etc. As time goes by you are able to spot scammers easily but not at first so beware! In the community you can find threads on how to avoid scammers.

Later on you will also notice that invitations are not a big deal anyway. Most of the time they contain preposterous stuff or need competences outside your skill set. Once in a blue moon you get a good invitation and you can apply without using any connects but chances that your proposal will be checked out are the same as the ones without invitation.

Sorry for my negative take but I am just being realistic.

[wlyonsatl]

Negative and realistic are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

I have had a better experience than Sergio when it comes to invitations for proposals. A sizable percentage of my jobs come from requests for proposals by clients, but I'm pretty sure I've had many more jobs come from client invitations than invitations from Upwork employees who think I'm a "good fit" for a job a client hasn't been getting good proposals on.

[mwiggenhorn]

I think that when you are new on the platform, most if not invitations will be scammy.  After you get some traction, the invites (generally) get better.  In my field, I get very few invitations.

[prestonhunter]

I appreciate Sergio's feedback on this topic.

But as a reality check: One size doesn't necessarily fit all.

I earn nearly all my money on Upwork purely from private invite jobs. If I wanted to I could make a living purely from these invites. The only reason I sometimes bid on jobs is I occasionally enjoy doing so.

The private invites I receive are not preposterous or a waste of time. Clients ask me to do real work which matches the type of work I'm interested in, and they offer to pay my posted rate.

This is NOT what new freelancers can expect. But experienced freelancers can indeed receive real invites that are worth their time.

[h_olawale_melend]

Hello, guys! I'm also a new freelancer and strangely, I received a private invitation from a client...I don't want to be negative but I also think it's strange to see someone inviting me like that. Furthermore, the client didn't add a verified method payment. What do you think? And which are some red flags I should spot?

[stevenayoung]

---

Helen M wrote:

Hello, guys! I'm also a new freelancer and strangely, I received a private invitation from a client...I don't want to be negative but I also think it's strange to see someone inviting me like that. Furthermore, the client didn't add a verified method payment. What do you think? And which are some red flags I should spot?

---

Just because you're new, doesn't mean the invite is suspicious. Upwork's algorithm may be boosting your profile in searches/suggestions since you recently completed a job. Not everyone has to wait a long time before they can get invites.

If the invite says "Hello! I'd like to invite you to take a look at the job I've posted. Please submit a proposal if you're available and interested." then it's a generic invite (that's the default message) and not a personalized message. The client may have clicked the invite button on 20 different freelancers in 2 minutes without super carefully reviewing your profile, but that doesn't make it any less legitimate. You'll still have a slight advantage over non-invited proposals if you apply.

Non-verified payment isn't always something to worry about either. Some clients are just new. As long as they verify or put money in escrow before the job actually starts, then you're good.

At the end of the day you just have to use your judgment. If the job looks good, go for it!

[h_olawale_melend]

Okay, thank you for your answer!

[cfdbb26f]

Thank you very much for your feedback and concern, i will be very aware of that Thanks. 

[cfdbb26f]

Thanks that is very good to know Thanks for your feedback. 

[haleystroot]

I am also fairly new and got an employment invitation that required me to download a pdf file with a "work entry code" on it. 

[12a912ee]

Hi Haley, this sounds like a scam job