Step 2 – Beef up your portfolio

After successfully creating your account, beef up you Portfolio.  This is how you will introduce yourself to oDesk Buyers when you apply for a job, or what Buyers will see when they’re browsing through the Providers database in oDesk.  Some of the things you need to fill up would be your basic info, educational info, skills – technical or otherwise, work history, portfolio, trainings and certifications.

Step 3 – Take the oDesk readiness test

Take the oDesk Readiness  Test.  All Providers are required to take this test before they can apply to jobs.  This ensures that the Provider is familiar to the oDesk rules, policies and procedures.  Don’t worry so much about this test, it’s a piece of cake and you can browse through oDesk’s Help Center while taking the test.  I’m sure passing will be a breeze.

Step 4 – Install the oDesk Team applications

Download the oDesk Team for Windows or oDesk Team for Mac or oDesk Team for Linux/Unix. The oDesk Team is a client application (must be installed in your workstation) that will capture and log the work that you do for your Buyers.  It captures random screen shots every 10 minutes while you work and allows you to post work memos that will be uploaded to the oDesk server, which your Buyer will review when it’s time to approve your work log.  This is required for Hourly-paid jobs and optional for Fixed-priced jobs.

Step 5 – Set-up your payment account

Setup an online account where you can get paid by oDesk.  Paypal is one of the most trusted and frequently used online payment facility. This is what I use to transfer my oDesk earnings to my local bank account (more details on a separate post, soon).  Click here to create your Paypal account. You will be guided by Paypal as you create your account.

Step 6 – Apply for jobs

Start applying for jobs!  Browse through the many jobs posted in oDesk and find something relevant to the skills and knowledge that you have.

Good luck!