24 Jun
Last Updated on September 6, 2020 by Faisal Rehman
Upwork is among the largest freelancing websites that offer the best jobs and opportunities for freelancers. It’s one of my favorite sites with thousands of freelance jobs posted every day in a lot of categories. If you create a great Upwork profile by adding the relevant skills, related experience, right tools and technology stack, I am sure you’ll get a job on Upwork real quick and start your freelance journey.
There are a couple of things that are really important to keep in mind while you create an Upwork profile. The competition is really high and to get your first job on Upwork is really tough for beginners. That’s why I am sharing some of the best tips that actually work.
So let’s get started!
1. SignUp — 1st step to create Upwork profile
Before we create a stunning Upwork profile, we need to sign up first on the freelancing giant. To sign up on Upwork is pretty simple and quick. You’ll need to enter your name and your email address that you use often. More importantly, remember to put your name that is written on your government issued ID card and bank account. Because you’ll need to get your Upwork profile verified later and the company demands such documents. Keep in mind that highly verified profile wins the employer’s trust. Furthermore, you can edit your profile later too but its better to be smart to avoid any inconveniences in the future.
The following screen prompts with your locating country, now set a strong password and click the Work as a Freelancer button since you are here to work as a freelancer.
Finally click on Create my Account and a confirmation email is sent to the given email address, verify your email address and your account is ready.
Now it’s time to create a winning Upwork profile from scratch.
2. Upload a professional portrait
It’s the first and foremost step to upload a smiling and a professional Upwork profile picture. Do not leave it blank or empty and never put a fake image. It should be a high quality photograph with a smile on your face just like the following portrait.
3. Enter a professional job title
Enter the job title that reflects your professional experience. Ideally, it’s the job title that quickly grabs the client’s attention. Here are some of the most popular job title examples.
- Project Manager
- Technical Support Engineer
- Marketing Manager
- Virtual Assistant
- Android Developer
- Software Engineer
- Linux System Administrator
- AWS Engineer
- DevOps Engineer
- Freelance Content Writer
You can check out this great guide to craft a professional title for your resume and for your Upwork profile.
4. Add certifications on your Upwork profile
This is extremely important and honestly, it’ll double the chances of getting hired. Certifications are highly important for your career boost — it’s a self investment. Most of the employers mention in their jobs specifically to hire the certified freelancers. Above all, certified freelancers earn more hourly rates than the others.
The certifications like Cisco Certified Interwork Expert, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate, AWS Solutions Architect or Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect are some of the most highly paid certifications.
One more thing to never forget mentioning your certification along with your job title. For instance, you are a project manager and have a PMP certification, write your job title as “Project Manager — PMP Certified“.
I am sure, you’ll see some great results.
5. Importance of professional summary on your Upwork profile
The professional summary should highlight all your skills you are very good at. A professional summary should have the following elements tailored and summed up.
- Background
- Experience
- Achievements
- 2-3 core skills you are expert at and suitable for the jobs you’ve been looking
- Fortune companies you previously worked for
You can write a professional summary a bit longer if there’s something to prove that you are the best fit for a certain job.
Here’s a great example of a complete and nicely written professional summary.
6. Set a moderate hourly rate
For freelancing beginners, I’d highly recommend to start with a low hourly rate. Since you don’t have a fully furnished profile, that’s why it’s the only way to gain contracts in the beginning. Successful freelancers start with a moderate hourly rate and increase it gradually as soon they start getting jobs. . Likewise, I’ve seen a number of profiles with not much experience and demanding $50 or $75 per hour and the result is they don’t get any job.
You should have a will of learning new stuff. These freelancing websites also provide huge learning opportunities. Every client, most of the times, has a unique application and set of tools. Therefore, you must have a greed of learning new technologies instead of just thinking to make money.
7. Add skills, courses and education on your Upwork profile
A complete Upwork profile from every aspect leaves behind a great impression on the clients. With that being said, you must add all the skills you know and have experience working with.
Most of the times, employers search via skills. Your Upwork profile will show up if you’ve add the skills.
Additionally, put your education, university and collage information. Furthermore, if you achieved any awards & honors, add them to your profile.
Learning via online courses is the top trend of the ongoing internet era. People are taking courses to make their resume strong. So, if you took any courses previously that align with your background, furnish them on the profile.
“It’s time to step up to the plate and get passionate about your work commit to making eLearning courses that don't bore people to tears, but instead inspire and motivate them to learn a new skill, change a certain behavior, or improve their performance.” - Cammy Bean
Lastly, mention all of the above on the profile and see the difference.
8. Create specialized Upwork profiles
Upwork now allows you to add multiple specialized profiles that are variations of your main Upwork profile. You can edit, un-publish or delete a specialized profile anytime. In short, these are more specific profiles for specific jobs.
For instance, if you are a great Java and ASP.Net developer at the same time, create 2 separate specialized profiles for Java and ASP.Net. So, when there’s a job for Java, apply with Java profile and vice versa. It’s one of the best features that Upwork introduced to showcase your experience with specific job categories.
9. Verify Upwork account
Get your profile fully verified that includes phone and identity verification to get an Identity Verified Badge on your Upwork profile.
It’s compulsory now and you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Provide a Government issued ID card
- A video verification call
Once Upwork confirms your identity, you’ll earn the badge and it’ll be displayed on your profile.
You can see that badge on my profile as below:
10. How to get paid on Upwork?
If you are a newbie, remember it can take some time to get your first job on Upwork. Be patient and keep trying and stick with it no matter what. I am sure you’ll learn and earn and by the way Upwork supports the following methods to get the payments:
- Direct to Local Bank
- Payoneer
- Wire Transfer(USD)
- Direct to U.S Bank
You can follow this link to manage your payments on Upwork. I recommend direct to local bank as its fast, cheap and the amount is remitted into your personal account within a business day.
Happy Earnings!
10. Wrap up
Upwork is one of the best freelancing platforms with millions of jobs posted every month. The criteria to get jobs on Upwork is getting a bit tough. That’s why it should be your uttermost priority to create a winning Upwork profile to get contracts.
Provide complete details about your experience, educational background, skills and portfolios. Carefully search for jobs and start applying that are a best fit. Set your availability and try to respond immediately to the invitations and interviews.
Lastly, successful freelancers do not apply on Upwork but they are searched and invited by the employers themselves. Try to make to that point and my best wishes are with you to become a top rated freelancer.
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Hi, I am Faisal Rehman
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3 Comments
Tech Harry
Really great post.
It was a really deep informative blog. Made everything clear.
Tech Harry
Your website design is very good. Keep it up!
Faisal Rehman
Thank you so much 🙂