How to be successful with oDesk pt.1

Don't apply for jobs you don't want.

I'm not some amazing person with a profile and portfolio so delicious that I can charge $40/hr and get jobs left and right, or take $500-1000 fixed-price jobs whenever I please. I'm really pretty plain. All I have going for me is a degree from a barely known university, and English as a first language (a rare find!).

But somehow, within two weeks of being on oDesk (back in March), I got a long term job offer, and several more following that. And now I'm regularly employed by a marketing firm!

How did I do it?

1. I only applied for jobs I wanted. Those that I had both the time and energy to do the work. If I wasn't excited, or the least bit piqued, I carried on. New jobs show up every minute!
2. I acted like a human being. When writing my cover letters, I searched for ways to NOT use "Dear Hiring Manager," showed excitement and tried to give a real-life experience that related to a job and not "5 years of expertise in SEO." That would mean saying how much I enjoy writing for a local massage studio, where I'm constantly finding and meeting common-interest businesses online. It may be vague, but it shows that I know how to write and market in one swoop without being dry.
3. I was humble. I am humble. On my good days, I'm one of the sweetest people you'll never meet. I'm not afraid to admit my faults because even if I know that I can bring a skill to the job, there are 30 people who also applied that are more talented with bigger portfolios. When an employer feels like they can teach you something, instead of feeling burdened, I think, they feel smarter. Show enthusiasm to learn and do better whenever possible.
4. I kept in touch. Employers don't throw around "keep in touch, we'll be hiring again soon" just to fool you. Most businesses that turn to oDesk need workers/content/progress right then and are down the wire and anxious for anything they can get quickly. They are usually startups that don't exactly know what they need in the future, but for now need 20 minutes transcribed, a presentation put together, or a list of emails by nights end. Chances are, in a few days they'll need something else, and next week they'll be hiring someone again. Stay on the radar and maintain the relationship if you like the job.

There are so many other things that I could jam into here, but I write too much. You should hear me talk when I'm nervous, it's insane!

Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in STC (new graduate, some experience)

English-speaking American

Excellent oDesk test scores

A lot of free time.