oDesk Profile Overview Sample

 

oDesk Profile Overview Sample

What makes a good oDesk profile overview?

True, your oDesk profile overview is one of the first impressions you’ll make with prospective clients. But do you really need to load it up with a ton of keywords and fluffy language? How much does the overview statement impact your position in oDesk’s search results?

How to Write an Overview that Appeals to Prospective Clients

While I can’t speak to oDesk’s search algorithm, I can offer the following advice (having billed over 4,000 hours on oDesk):

• Write an Elevator Pitch – Your oDesk profile overview is really just your “elevator pitch” for why a client should hire you. If you were in an elevator with someone, how would you describe your skills and the value you bring to the table? Get to the point quickly and focus on client value.
• Don’t Be All Things to All People – I usually avoid hiring contractors who say they are skilled in a bunch of seemingly unrelated areas. For example, I see this all the time: “In the past, I have used Joomla, Quickbooks, Hootsuite, and I am also skilled in the areas of customer service and sales.” You can’t be good at everything, so don’t overdue it.
• Carve Out a Niche – Your oDesk profile overview is a great oppotuniay to begin carving out a niche and establish your credibility. For example, if most of your clients are tech companies, why not state it in your overview? Again, you can’t be an expert at everything and every niche.
• Less is Probably More – Most people are going to glance at your overview and look for glaring issues. If you pack your overview with too much information, you may actually reduce the likelihood that someone will contact you. Save a little magic for the interview.
• Cluttered = Blah – Poorly constructed sentences, random links, and general clutter can create doubt in the minds of prospects. Clean and simple is better than crowded and crazy.

Here’s What My Profile Looks Like

For what it’s worth, here’s a screenshot of my profile. I hope you find it helpful in your pursuit of an oDesk profile overview sample: