oDesk Cover Letter Sample

A Cover Letter is the main Text Data that shows your skills and strategies about each job you are applying on.

As I wrote in my last post, always remember to apply on jobs within your skills. There are many Categories in oDesk like.

• Web Development
• Software Development
• Networking & Information System
• Writing & Translation 
• Administrative Support 
• Design & Multimedia 
• Customer Service 
• Sales & Marketing 
• Business Services

Please never share your Email or Skype in your cover letter and your letter should be between 200-300 words.

Here is an Example of oDesk Cover Letter but You can write in your own words.

Data Entry / Web Research Cover Letter

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the opportunity that you have presented. After carefully reviewing the requirements of the job description, I believe that my strong experience and dedication make me a suitable match for the job.

I have excellent skills in Google Research, MS Office, Data Entry and Web Research.

I have fast internet connection at home, have my own pc to use anytime and have own space to work. I  can work full time and will focus to this project. I can follow instructions very well and will deliver the project on time. I am very confident that you would also like my work and will give me a good feedback which is very important for my future career in oDesk.

I am available to chat on email or Skype and would be happy to set up a convenient time to discuss about this project.

                            Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Your Name Here

The above Cover letter is just an example. You can edit it in your own words to apply on jobs within your skills and experience.

How to Apply on oDesk Jobs

Once you have completed everything about your oDesk Profile, you can apply on jobs according to your Skills and experience.There are few steps that are very important while applying to oDesk jobs.

• Always apply on jobs with Verified Payment methods and never apply on jobs with unverified clients. Here is an example. You can see verified client has a green $ sign while unverified client has no sign.

 

• There are 2 types of jobs. Fixed Jobs and Hourly Jobs. While applying to any jobs, be careful to check the job's status and Delivery Date.
• Read each job carefully and if you thing you are suitable for any certain job, apply to that job only. Don't always go for all jobs. Click "Apply to this Job" Button to apply on any job.
•  Fill your "Propose Terms" and "Estimated Duration" (For Fixed Jobs only). 

• Answer all "Additional Questions and write your "Cover Letter" (A Cover Letter is the main Text Data that shows your strategies about each job you are applying on). 

• Never share your Private Data with any client at any cost.
• Please "Agree to Terms" before Clicking the submit Button

oDesk Contract Types

There are 2 types of oDesk Contracts.

1: Hourly Contracts
2: Fixed Price Contracts

1: Hourly Contracts

Hourly Contracts are generally larger and often preferred by freelancers. For all Hourly Contracts we have to download oDesk Team App (oDesk time calculator) and must calculate time for each hourly job. Hourly Contracts are covered by the oDesk Guarantee.

2: Fixed Price Contracts

Fixed Price Contracts are generally smaller and paid on completion. However, Fixed Price Contracts are not covered by the oDesk Guarantee and payment is at the client's discretion. So, we have to be very careful before applying on Fixed Price Contracts.

How to Pass oDesk Readiness Test

Passing oDesk  Readiness Test is very important for everyone who is searching for oDesk jobs. It gives a competitive edge and a very high possibility of being hired. It also helps to get familiar with most of the oDesk features and policies and it is strongly recommended by oDesk before applying to jobs.

oDesk Readiness Test is not hard to pass. You just need to be prepared. You can pass oDesk Readiness  test in 2-5 minutes and can be ranked as first (1st).

Odesk Readiness Test Questions and Answers

1.  Can I start my own agency on oDesk.

• Yes! You can create an agency and earn money by selling the services for your agency contractors.
• No, oDesk is for independent contractors only.

2.  Which of the following are true about your oDesk Work diary.

• Allows employers to see when and what their contractors are working on.
• Enables automatic billing for hourly contracts.
• The oDesk Team application auto-tracks time which can be reviewed in the Work Diary..
• Manual time can be added, but isn't guaranteed payment.
• All of the above.

3.  Which of the following are true about ODESK dispute process.

• The dispute process only applies to Hourly contracts.
• If you fail to respond, oDesk will refund the employer and suspend your account.
• If you reject the dispute, oDesk specialists will review your Work Diary and evaluate it against the criteria of the payment guarantee.
• Disputed hours ruled in the employers favor are refunded.
• All of the above.

4.  Which of the following is false about weekly limit on hourly contracts.

• Hours in excess of the weekly limit will not be billed to the employer.
• You should discuss any need to work beyond your limit with your employer.
• The weekly limit can be changed by the contractor.
• The weekly limit can be changed by the employer.
• Hours in excess of the weekly limit are not guaranteed payment.

5.  What happens when a contract ends.

• You lose access to the Work Diary. 
• Both users can leave feedback.
• The feedback system is double blind, so your employer cannot see the feedback you left them until after they have left feedback for you.
• Hours will be billed (and disputes may be filed) according to the usual weekly payment schedule.
• All of the above.

6.  Which of the following is false of what is not allowed when applying to job posting.

• Misrepresenting your skills, experiences, portfolio, etc.
• Submitting boilerplate, placeholder or generic bids or other spam.
• Disclosing direct contact information.
• Applying when you are not truly qualified.
• All of the above.

7.  Which of the following is required to qualify for guaranteed payment.

An hourly contract.

• Tracking your time with the oDesk Team application.
• Entering relevant memos.
• An employer with a verified payment method.
• All of the above.

8.  Which of the not permitted on oDesk

• Sharing a single account between multiple people.
• Opening more than one account on oDesk.
• Using a logo or clip art as your profile portrait.
• Using a fake name.
• All of the above.

9.  The oDesk Team application Time Tracker records which of the following?

• Screenshot of the active screen once per billing segment.
• Number of keystrokes.
• Number of mouse clicks.
• Memo entered by the contractor.
• All of the above.

10.  Which of the following statements about oDesk fees is FALSE?

• The oDesk fee is 10% of the employer's payment to oDesk.
• oDesk is free to join.
• oDesk is free for contractors to apply and work on jobs.
• The oDesk fee is $2/hour for hourly contracts.
• All of the above.

11.  Which of the following is TRUE about fixed-price contracts?

• Employer billed automatically each week.
• How much to pay and when to pay is at the employer's discretion.
• Hours worked will show on your profile.
• Time-tracking required.
• Qualify for the oDesk payment guarantee.

Making a New oDesk Profile

When you open the oDesk Website, you will see a window as shown in the image. Please Sign Up on clicking "I need a Job Button".

You can use any username of your choice. Please be sure to use 100% genuine and original data about you, like Full name, address, Phone No. etc.

Now, add some Title to your profile according to your skills like,  Ms Office, Data Entry, Web Research, Email, WordPress. Add some Hourly Pay Rate to your profile. like $3.00.(When you add 3.00 to your profile, it will show as 3.33 because 10% will be oDesk fee) Now, if your profile rate is $1.11, you will get $3.00 and $0.33 will be oDesk fee). Please make sure to start with low Hourly Pay Rate for a new profile.

Also, complete your profile by filling all related fields like Years of Experience, Overview, Categories (your own skills), Employment History, Education, Other Experiences etc.

After completing all these steps, now, you can check your profile. Your Job Quota will be about 5-10/Week. Make sure to take oDesk Readiness Test for Independent Contractors and Staffing Managers to increase your Job Quota about 15. Once you have taken some more test according to your skills, Your profile will be 100% completed and Your Job Quota will be 20/Week which means now you are ready to apply on jobs according to your Skills and experience.

All About oDesk

oDesk is a free leading online workplace that allows businesses to find, hire, manage, and pay talented freelancers from around the world, while giving a global community of skilled workers access to jobs that are personally, professionally, and financially rewarding.

You can Learn more about oDesk by watching this video from ODesk's CEO. 

 

7 Useful Tips to Win Your First oDesk Job

Being new on oDesk can be tough for a professional. Without any feedback or past projects on your profile, clients don’t seem to want to hire you just yet.

Being a newbie freelancer myself, this is exactly what was on my mind when I only had a simple profile and a few of my past works. I knew I was facing a very tough competition, most of which are being driven by price.  But I was determined to make my first break, and luckily I was successful.

So I know how you feel, faced with all these challenges and with no opportunity to prove yourself.  To help you win your first oDesk job, here are 7 tips that have worked for me, for many, and hopefully will work for you:

1. Review, edit, proofread, and finalize your oDesk profile.
2. Make sure you have portfolio samples for every service you offer.  Upload screenshots or PDFs of your work, link, and label them according to the service you specialize in.  Make sure to write a short but detailed description for each.
3. Give yourself a title that best describes what you do.  Simply calling yourself, “A Hardworking and Affordable Professional” with checks, diamonds, or heart symbols (seriously, who does that?) doesn’t say much about what you do.  Clients may easily brush off your profile and look at more descriptive ones.
4. Choose job posts that are best suited for you.  Your chances of winning a web design project is very slim if your only specialty is transcription or virtual assistance.
5. Customize, personalize, and proofread your cover letter before sending it off.  Make sure you answer the client’s questions, address his concerns, and pitch yourself very well.  
6. Choose a rate that’s reasonable, not the cheapest.  Good clients usually avoid the lowest bidders, keeping in mind that “you get what you pay for”. Offer the most reasonable price for your services, but make sure it isn’t because you’re the cheapest in the roster.
7. Do your best and never give up.  By putting your best foot forward in every interview, you’ll surely stand out from all the other applicants.  If you get rejected, it’s okay.  Give yourself a reassuring hug and continue applying for jobs, until such time that a good client decides to hire you for your first project.

Again, you’re not alone in this struggle for the big oDesk break.  Thousands of contractors (including the big-time veterans) have been in your shoes before.  If they can win their first and succeeding projects, then so can you.