Having a hard time landing freelance jobs? Here’s how you can crack it

Photo taken from Flickr.

The perks of freelancing are tempting: you set your hours, choose your projects, and work from home or anywhere you like. That’s why it comes as no surprise that waves of people are turning to freelancing sites such as Elance-oDesk, Freelancer.com, and Raket.ph for work.

Being “free” from the demands of a nine-to-five job feels great, but don’t be mistaken: it doesn’t necessarily mean work is any easier. On freelancing sites, beginners and veterans alike often find themselves competing with hundreds of other people for the same projects. The question now becomes: how does one stand out?

A few key people behind some of the region’s most popular job matching sites shared the following advice on how you can market yourself and become more visible.

Keep a quality profile

You must treat your profile as your CV, says Evan Tan, Freelancer.com’s regional director for Southeast Asia. If you want to gain the confidence of clients, make sure your profile looks as professional as possible. “Your profile should be a well-curated presentation of your professional life,” he says.

Not only that. Lyle Jover, president and CEO of Raket.ph, advises you to highlight your selling points. Do away with the general objectives or mission statements. Clients are only interested in knowing whether or not you’re qualified to take on the task. “Write things in brief and be specific about the services you offer,” he says.

For his part, Ron Cirujano, Philippine country manager of Elance-oDesk, recommends that you “create a good overview that explains who you are, what you do, and your expertise.”

Take note of clients’ requirements carefully

Once you’ve found a project you want to work on, read through the requirements thoroughly, and tailor your proposal to those requirements. Don’t just copy and paste from previous proposals.

“Employers want a freelancer who has attention to details. Be insightful or witty in your proposal, and you’ll be sure to cut through the clutter of other bids,” Tan notes.

If some aspects of the project confuse you, Tan also advises you to clarify them with the client. “Don’t assume if you’re uncertain. Taking the extra step to ask intelligent questions about the project gives the employer the impression that you’re interested on delivering high quality work, and that you are competent enough to provide exceptional service.”

Cirujano echoes Tan’s viewpoint. “Be sure to read the client’s requirements carefully and make sure that you address his or her needs. Be careful not to over promise.”

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