Hello,
I have been working on this platform for the last 2-3 years and I never had difficulty finding jobs as of now at present (Auguest 2023).
I have a good understanding of the Microenocmic factor that is impacting the jobs in the US. However, I believe this has something to do with this connects bidding system. I think the Upwork should reconsider this bidding system.
The company believes it makes more money by implementing a system of the highest bidding person shown first to the Client. However, what I think is that this is driving away most clients. From the Business point of view (Upwork side), it is profitable, but the client is not getting what they want right?
ARE THE CLIENTS HERE HIRE SOMEONE WHO CAN WIN BIDDING USING DOLLARS OR TO HIRE THE BEST TALENT WITH A BEST OVERALL REVIEWS AND JOB SUCCESS SCORE?
Obviously, the answer is later. For clients, it is same as buying a product and who dosen't sell their best product? I think this is impacting the upwork business model and they should reconsider this. Imagine me as a Client. I posted a job and I receive 5-10 proposals. The first 3 proposals are best bidding freelancers but their Profiles are not best. What are the chances of myself walk away from this platform and hire someone in any other method? VERY HIGH.
The changes of freelancers getting hired, specially with the new clients are those first few minutes or hours. If this is missed, they are likely to find another way. Why Upwork platofrm dosen't give their best freelancers? Once the best freelancers got the jobs, the reamaining freelancers will get their hands on the following ones. This is how we all had climed the mountain. from a new person, rising talent, Top rated to to rated plus. Also, the new freelancers offer a less hourly rate to find jobs and giving the Clients more option and comparison. This system was perfectly designed and working.
Once a contract is on, Upwork make their commisison. They should have contracts going on to make their commissions. If they are fail to produce the best talents, they fail to initiate their number of usual contracts, and they anyway loss. Also, over the time, this can lower the confident of Upwork among the Clients and their reference to others. On the other hand, unable to find regular jobs could make freelancers to think of other ways.
This is what I think happening from this bidding system. I am in this platform for over 2 years and I always see in the past that Clients "inteview numbers" are there following a jobs post. The Clients are always intervieweing couple of freelncers or in active (can be seen in job post). However, from the time this bidding connects are implemented, their last seen is there, but no inteviews most of the time. Sometimes, they are no even active after they have seen the first bidding profiles. That means they are gone right?
I think this bidding system is driving away clients and may be impacting the whole system. Just trying to explain from what I have understood and experienced working on this platform for a long time. Of course, I am not a business expert and I am making a suggestion to the product development team or whowever else that can consider this point.
Also, I would love hear thoughts from Freelancers about what they think about this. This platform has provided chance for many freelancers to prove their talent and earn well. I think Upwork should go back to hold their fundamental of freelancing which is talent based. If you like with my point, let's collectively take this point to Upwork team so that they know what freelancers thinking and help them improve their business model or for the product development team.
Thank you!
