20 Mistakes Upwork Freelancers Make

As an Upwork Top-Rated Plus, I get work steadily, but if you are not getting jobs on Upwork, it is important to understand why in order to address any issues and improve your chances of success on the platform. There could be a variety of reasons you are not getting jobs on Upwork. I highlight some here. Of course not every single one of these will apply to you but some will. So, take your time to learn of all the mistakes.

Here are a few potential explanations and suggested solutions based on over 20 beginners’ Upwork profiles I reviewed:

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

1. You have not passed Upwork’s tests: Upwork often requires freelancers to take tests in order to demonstrate their skills and expertise in a particular area. If you have not taken or passed relevant tests, you may not be considered for certain jobs.
2. Your profile is not complete: Make sure that your profile is fully filled out, including your skills, work history, and education. A complete profile is more likely to attract potential clients.
3. Lack of a clear and compelling profile: Your Upwork profile is a key factor in attracting potential clients and showcasing your skills and experience. Make sure that your profile is up-to-date and clearly communicates the value you can offer to potential clients.
4. Your profile and proposals are too long or cluttered: Keep your profile and proposals concise and to the point. Clients may not have the time or patience to read through long, cluttered documents.
5. Your profile and proposals have spelling and grammar errors: Clients may be turned off by profiles and proposals that contain spelling and grammar errors, as they may perceive it as a lack of attention to detail or professionalism. Learn some tricks and tips to supercharge your Upwork proposal here: https://youtu.be/rY51KVEYQbo
6. You are not using a professional profile picture: A professional profile picture can help establish your credibility and make you more appealing to potential clients.
7. Lack of relevant skills or experience: If you are not getting hired, it may be because the jobs you are applying for require skills or experience that you do not have. In this case, consider taking relevant courses or acquiring additional skills to improve your chances of getting hired in the future.
8. Poor proposal quality: The proposals you submit to clients are your chance to make a good impression and convince them to hire you. Make sure that your proposals are well-written, tailored to the specific job, and highlight the value you can offer to the client.
9. Poor communication or customer service: As a freelancer on Upwork, it is important to maintain good communication with potential clients and provide excellent customer service. If you are not getting hired, it may be because you are not effectively communicating with clients or are not meeting their expectations.
10. Your proposal is not tailored to the job: When applying for a job on Upwork, it’s important to carefully read the job description and tailor your proposal to the specific needs of the client. If your proposal is generic or does not demonstrate your understanding of the job requirements, it may not be as effective.
11. You are not targeting the right jobs: Make sure that you are applying for jobs that align with your skills and experience. If you are consistently applying for jobs that you are not qualified for, you may not be getting hired.
12. There is a lot of competition: Upwork is a competitive platform with many freelancers vying for the same jobs. If you are not getting hired, it may be due to the fact that there are other freelancers who are more qualified or have more experience in the area you are applying for. Consider differentiating yourself by highlighting your unique skills and experience in your profile and proposals.
13. You are not bidding competitively: It’s important to be aware of the going rate for the type of work you are offering. If your bid is significantly higher or lower than the average, it may not be as attractive to potential clients.
14. You have a low rating or feedback score: Upwork clients often rely on ratings and feedback from previous clients when deciding who to hire. If you have a low rating or a small number of reviews, it may be harder to get hired. I made a video here to help you get or maintain a good JSS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeGgZfXxDiU&t=50s
15. You are not responding to client messages promptly: Clients often reach out to multiple freelancers when looking to hire, and they may move on to the next candidate if they do not hear back from you in a timely manner.
16. You are not actively sending proposals: Upwork has a vast pool of available jobs, but you need to actively search for and apply to them in order to be considered.
17. You are not staying on Upwork enough: Staying online on Upwork can help you find and complete more projects, build a positive reputation, and improve your communication with clients.
18. You are not using relevant keywords in your profile and proposals: Upwork’s search algorithm uses keywords to match freelancers with relevant jobs. Make sure to include relevant keywords in your profile and proposals to increase the chances of being matched with a job.
19. You are not networking: Networking can be an effective way to find jobs on Upwork. Consider reaching out to other freelancers or industry professionals to learn about potential job opportunities or get advice on how to improve your chances of getting hired.
20. You stopped learning and improving: Even at my level on Upwork, I keep learning and trying out new suggestions and ideas. Keep learning and implementing what you learn, your Upwork success is pretty certain.

There are five important things for living a successful and fulfilling life: never stop dreaming, never stop believing, never give up, never stop trying, and never stop learning.
― Roy Bennett

You can learn more Upwork Tips and Tricks from my Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@thespeakingpen