How Important Are the oDesk Skills Tests?

Do the oDesk skills tests really matter when you consider the answers are available everywhere on the web?

Thing is, the upside of getting high scores on these tests is very limited; however, the downside of NOT having them is enormous.

Here’s what I mean:

Do the Tests Matter?

They matter in the sense that if they’re not there clients will wonder why.

Imagine a client looking at 10 different freelancer profiles. Nine of them have a PHP test with a score in the top 1% and one of them doesn’t have it at all.

That will stick out to them and could be enough for them to pass on your profile.

So, the prevalence of the tests on freelancer profiles makes them important have.

However…

Click here for my full list of web developer resources including my top recommended courses and tools.

You Won’t Instantly Get Clients Hiring You in Droves Because You Pass the PHP Test

The upside is very limited. Clients will see it, like that it’s there but it won’t do a ton to convince them to hire you.

Think of it as a hedge.

The tests are about eliminating a negative not generating a positive.

Especially, since a lot of clients know the answers are available all over the web. They don’t put a ton of stock in it.

But…

This Brings Up a Larger Issue

The truth is… there’s not ANY one thing on your profile that will suddenly make clients trust you enough to hire you.

It’s about ALL the things.

It’s about:

  1. Specializing and make a very specific offer on your profile
  2. Creating congruence among all the items ON your profile

Meaning, everything on your profile should be relevant to the specific offer you’re making.

Your headline, service description, photo, tests, certifications, job history, portfolio, testimonials… all of it.

I purposefully keep things I’ve done off my profile and website because it’s not perfectly relevant to what I’m offering.

Makes sense, but here’s the thing…

To Know and NOT Do Is Really Not To Know

I’ve mentioned a lot of this stuff before. Some of it I even harp on in almost every podcast I do.

The problem is, I see so few people still doing it… and it’s so fundamental to having success as a freelancer.

So, I challenge you to put this into action:

  1. Identify your niche. What specific offer can you make to clients?
  2. Upgrade your profile. What changes do you need to make so everything is relevant?
  3. Bid on RELEVANT jobs. What relevant jobs exist NOW that you can bid on?

Start doing these things and you should see more success.

Join 7,700 Other Freelancers Who've Built Thriving Freelance Businesses

Over 7,700 other freelancers have started thriving freelance businesses using the information on this blog. Are you next? Subscribe below to get notified whenever a new article is posted and create your own success story:

You might also like

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Pinterest
John Morris

JOHN MORRIS

I’m a 15-year veteran of freelance web development. I’ve worked with bestselling authors and average Joe’s next door. These days, I focus on helping other freelancers build their freelance business and their lifestyles.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Join 7,700 Other Freelancers Who've Built Thriving Freelance Businesses

Over 7,700 other freelancers have started thriving freelance businesses using the information on this blog. Are you next? Subscribe below to get notified whenever a new article is posted and create your own success story:

Success Stories

Ready to add your name here?

Tim Covello

Tim Covello

75 SEO and website clients now. My income went from sub zero to over 6K just last month. Tracking 10K for next month. Seriously, you changed my life.

Michael Phoenix

Michael Phoenix

By the way, just hit 95K for the year. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve taught me. You’ve changed my life. Thank you!

Stephanie Korski

Stephanie Korski

I started this 3 days ago, following John’s suggestions, and I gained the Upwork Rising Talent badge in less than 2 days. I have a call with my first potential client tomorrow. Thanks, John!

Jithin Veedu

Jithin Veedu

John is the man! I followed his steps and I am flooded with interviews in a week. I got into two Talent clouds. The very next day, I got an invitation from the talent specialists from Upwork and a lot more. I wanna shout out, he is the best in this. Thanks John for helping me out!

Divyendra Singh Jadoun

Divyendra Singh Jadoun

After viewing John’s course, I made an Upwork account and it got approved the same day. Amazingly, I got my first job the very same day, I couldn’t believe it, I thought maybe I got it by coincidence. Anyways I completed the job and received my first earnings. Then, after two days, I got another job and within a week I got 3 jobs and completed them successfully. All the things he says seem to be minute but have a very great impact on your freelancing career.

Sarah Mui

Sarah Mui

I’ve been in an existential crisis for the last week about what the heck I’m doing as a business owner. Even though I’ve been a business for about a year, I’m constantly trying to think of how to prune and refine services. This was very personable and enjoyable to watch. Usually, business courses like this are dry and hard to get through…. repeating the same things over and over again. This was a breath of fresh air. THANK YOU.

Waqas Abdul Majeed

Waqas Abdul Majeed

I’ve definitely learnt so much in 2.5 hours than I’d learn watching different videos online on Youtube and reading tons of articles on the web. John has a natural way of teaching, where he is passionately diving in the topics and he makes it very easy to grasp — someone who wants you to really start running your business well by learning about the right tools and implement them in your online business. I will definitely share with many of the people I know who have been struggling for so long, I did find my answers and I’m sure will do too.

Scott Plude

Scott Plude

I have been following John Morris for several years now. His instruction ranges from beginner to advanced, to CEO-level guidance. I have referred friends and clients to John, and have encouraged my own daughter to pay attention to what he says. All of his teachings create wealth for me (and happiness for my clients!) I can’t speak highly enough about John, his name is well known in my home.

Sukh Plaha

John is a fantastic and patient tutor, who is not just able to share knowledge and communicate it very effectively – but able to support one in applying it. However, I believe that John has a very rare ability to go further than just imparting knowledge and showing one how to apply it. He is able to innately provoke one’s curiosity when explaining and demonstrating concepts, to the extent that one can explore and unravel their own learning journey. Thanks very much John!

Mohamed Misrab

Misrab Mohamed

John has been the most important person in my freelance career ever since I started. Without him, I would have taken 10 or 20 years more to reach the position I am at now (Level 2 seller on Fiverr and Top Rated on Upwork).

Join 7,700 Other Freelancers Who've Built Thriving Freelance Businesses

Over 7,700 other freelancers have started thriving freelance businesses using the information on this blog. Are you next? Subscribe below to get notified whenever a new article is posted and create your own success story: