Get Paid by the Hour in oDesk
I’ve noticed that there is an increasing number of bloggers asking what oDesk is all about. This blog is linked to my profile in SocialSpark, so a number of bloggers who follow my blog profile from that site are often curious about oDesk. I decided to write a new post to talk about this freelance site where I offer my web developer freelance services.
What is oDesk?
oDesk is a freelance site where your services can get paid by the hour or by fixed-price bids. A client (termed as buyer) get to post their job so that they can get a freelancer (termed as provider) to do that particular job. These are small contracted work where the client can handpick his freelancers or he can wait for active freelancers to apply to his job. oDesk offers jobs from data entry to writing as well as their initial job offerings in programming, graphics and web design jobs.
Create a Profile
To begin with, one has to create a profile. That profile is similar to a resume. A portfolio is also very helpful in proving one’s capability to finish a job. It took me a day to update my profile but once that it is done; my profile was appealing enough for interested clients. I wrote some tips for the oDesk blog to help several oDesk freelancers on polishing their profiles.
Measuring One’s Skills
Don’t forget the tests too! oDesk offers free tests that measure the skills capabilities. Programmers can get tests related to the programming skills; writers can also take tests that are related to writing. These tests are important, especially to those who do not have any oDesk work history and feedback to back up their profile. The oDesk Readiness Test (ORT) is a new test about the oDesk policies and procedures to make sure that freelancers are ready to apply and accept jobs in the marketplace (I have not encountered this test in the first place).
How Job Progress is Monitored
Hourly jobs are monitored using special software called oDesk team that needs to be downloaded and installed in the freelancer’s computer. That software logs in the time consumed, and captures a snapshot of the entire freelancer’s screen at regular intervals.
This YouTube video here for you that clearly explains how oDesk works:
Get Paid
For the Philippine-based freelancers, almost all oDesk withdrawal methods are available to get the earnings here in the Philippines. I highly recommend using Payoneer and Paypal. US freelancers get to withdraw their earnings out of oDesk using ACH.
There are plenty of writing jobs that await bloggers in oDesk too! The banner below leads you to the oDesk site, and you can sign up for a FREE account now!
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hi gem…i have already signed up at odesk few months ago…but i was required to take the readiness test. can I skip that? hehehe…
@Naomi
I can just base on what others had said about the ORT because I was one of the few who got first to oDesk when ORT was not yet a requirement.
According to other newcomers it is NOT possible to take jobs anymore without passing the ORT.
So this is oDesk. Got any idea how much they pay per hour Gem? Hey, I want to know also what do you do as a freelance. I might have some opps for you as well.
hello gem. ive been quite disappointed w/ the change of prices in paid opps and finally decided to go for freelancing. i know im a computer science student, but im too scared to test my programming skills in the real world so i think i should go off first as a writer. guess i have to go over your past posts, including this one.
im looking forward to learn more here and be ready for the freelance world in no time..
blanne´s last blog post..As If Going To School Everyday Isn’t Stressful Enough
yeah odesk is good lots of projects but what annoyed me is you have to take a damn test you have log you time etc etc… so instead i just did freelancing designs at least i have my own time to manage hehe
rovielran´s last blog ..washing lang
The test wasn’t really there when I first joined and got my first oDesk job. Other freelancing sites actually started with their own tests – and oDesk followed. Anyway, the test is really easy – the trick is to just retake that one.
It’s true some freelancers don’t want to be monitored with the oDesk software. I was in that situation before, but when I got into one job after another I soon found out that most buyers are not really into checking your screenshots.
Anyway, I’m aware the oDesk isn’t the only option open to offering freelance designs.
Anyone interested to work freelance? You may join my creatively juicy team. I am outsourcing jobs/projects in and out of Odesk so you have more chances/opportunities to earn.
Please visit my website through the link provided in this comment and email me through the contact form provided in my site.
Thank you.
Caroline´s last blog ..Creatively Juicy Team
Hello Gem. I took your link to oDesk and will register, take some of the tests and try to get php/mySQL projects. The time required that they qoute, do you find it to be accurate? How about pay/project jobs? Thanks for the info.
Great , write up Gem, I’m new to Odesk, signed up under Liz, and I find it good..thanks for the heads up.
Really? I can’t see your username in my referral list but still, I wish you success in oDesk.
I signed up under Liz’s name. I forgot you were in Odesk. She convinced me to join. Anyway, malakas naman ang kita mo doon. Now I understand why you don’t have to take on a day time 8-5 job. You go , girl..balato…he he he
Jena Isle´s last blog ..The Boy Who Saved Christmas
Hehehe. The truth is, maliit pa ang balato ko. The first years was spent in paying debts. Ngayon lang medyo nakakabawi… ahehehehe.
I’ve been in ODesk for months now and like the others, I took some relative exams. After a month or two of selective applications (which were all turned down), I was discouraged and never came back to ODesk. Then came 2010. My horoscope says I will have good opportunities with foreign clients so I thought of trying back my luck at Odesk. Just recently, I visited the site to check if my horoscope is true
and applied for just one job (article writing). Well, to make things short, I got the job and still working on it. Hope my client likes my work and offer me more 
.
juliet´s last blog ..10th Wedding Anniversary – Keeping Our Marriage Fresh
Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, but I just don’t have the time at the moment. Still, who knows what the future holds.