oDesk

When thinking about becoming a freelance independent contractor it can be important to evaluate just what you have to offer to potential customers that will pay you to complete their projects. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you determine which you are able to accomplish and which ones you should pass on. Building a good reputation as a freelance worker can go a long way towards helping you to get more and more opportunities coming your way. You may be wondering where you can find freelance work, but there are freelance "marketplaces" available online that help to connect individuals that have work to be done with those that are capable of getting the work done.

oDesk.com is just one of those marketplaces that you can use to find freelance work in whatever skills that you have. The way that it works is that an individual has work to be done so they create an ad post for it on oDesk. This post will include information on what type of work it is, if they are looking for full time or part time work, if this is just a temporary position or permanent, and if it is an hourly paid job or a fixed rate job. You can use this information to decide if you think you would like this position. If it is one you are interested in then you submit your information to the person that is looking to fill the position. You give them a cover letter and other information in an application and they are able to look at the portfolio you have put together on oDesk. When you determine your pay amount oDesk will add on their ten percent fee above that for employers to pay, so you will not notice any fees coming out of your pay. They then fill the position based on the information that has been given to them of the different freelance individuals available. They may decide to hold interviews online and usually will mention how they go about the interview process, such as if they use instant messaging (IM), Skype, or the telephone. If you are hired you will perform the tasks required of you using the special oDesk software to track your time. They then pay you though oDesk for the work performed based on what the position was agreed on. Also, the client will give you a rating/review that future clients can see to help them determine if you are a good fit for them.

Pros –

• Anyone can sign up for free
  
• Pays through oDesk with multiple withdrawal options
  
  • PayPal
    
  • Direct Deposit
    
  • Moneybookers
    
  • Wire Transfer
    
  • Payoneer Prepaid Master Card
    
• You decide when to take a payment
  
• Get paid to complete work you decide on
  
• Can be worked alongside with other WAH positions
  
• You determine which positions work best for you based on schedule, availability needed and other factors
  
• Customize your portfolio to attract more potential employers
  

Cons –

• Tough competition for each position
  
• There may be fees depending on which withdrawal method you decide to use (Direct Deposit is free)
  

oDesk.com has been on the scene for many years providing freelance independent contractors and potential employers with a marketplace where they can meet. It is free and you can always sign up, look over the FAQs, take some tests, and look over the job pool to decide if it is the right site for you to use.