Work-at-Home Gal

This whole week I’ve been busy with a number of Instant messenger interviews, fixing some content writing problems, and some project planning.

I don’t want to elaborate on the bad part of my week so I’ll just focus on the good part - lovely new projects! After less than two months of bidding on projects, I was able to win five, which I think is not too bad because one of the clients is sending me tasks to work on almost every week. Also, I now have this new recurring task that’s rekindled my obsession with forums.

Ok I know, I know you’ve now had enough of my bragging…

Most of these new projects are from oDesk buyers. I recently won a few fixed price projects and some hourly rate projects. Most of them involve content writing and online marketing. So this is for new oDesk providers planning to offer content writing and/or Internet marketing projects, particularly search engine optimization (SEO).

What is the formula to gain some clients through oDesk? Aside from some luck, these are definitely going to help you win some projects:

Complete your oDesk profile

It’s as simple as filling out a BIO DATA (Filipinos’ resume alternative) or typing in your resume’s content. But like many career experts would tell you, optimize it. Oh you haven’t heard of that tip before? Just weed out those information that won’t help you get projects that you want.

But think hardly what not to mention. I didn’t omit my BS Biology degree (Haha I’d be left with a call center and a basic Microsoft office short-term course if I do that and that won’t impact much my oDesk career, will it?) because I know it will help me win some science writing projects if ever there’d be any client looking for someone with that qualification.

Maybe if you used to work as an undertaker - that you can leave out unless you want to bag some web content writing projects on funeral homes and other information about the business of death, of course. Hehe.

Again, I said omit, not add. Any fabrication will not only send bad karma but can actually backfire, or is that an effect of bad karma. I’m getting dizzy with my own thoughts.

Seriously, don’t try to include skills that you don’t have if you don’t have the slightest idea on how to perform such activity. Sure you can imply that you’re familiar with some activity but save yourself lots of headaches by not claiming any skill you don’t actually possess. You think I’m overemphasizing this? Aside from the truth that there are actually a large number of people who’d actually lie to get a job, I hire people, too. This is why I know how it feels to be lead on.

And one major section you should spend more time constructing - the Objective part. The sample objective from oDesk will give you an idea on how to write your objective. Avoid generic objectives like “To serve the client to the best of my ability as well as improve my skills.” Maybe they still work for offline employers, but not with Internet-savvy clients. Be specific on what you can offer and state what are the nature of the projects you wish to land. Also, don’t mention that you’re a mother of three and you need a job badly.

More oDesk tips coming…

Tags: virtual assistant, web content writer, SEO, resume objective, oDesk, freelancing