Applying for Upwork Jobs — Making Your Application Stand Out From The Crowd

For any Upwork freelancer looking to land a high-quality job, mastering the art of the job application is an absolute must. As your first impression on a potential client, knowing how to best present yourself and your work is essential for starting your successful freelancing career.

Surprise — The Application Isn’t About You

It is incredibly common for people to think that the application is the perfect opportunity to talk about themselves. Here are MY skills and here is why MY services are the best fit for your project.

But in all actuality, the application is so much less about you and much more about what the client is looking for. Instead of taking the approach of talking about yourself, I highly encourage new freelancers to take a step back and think about what the client is specifically looking for. This means thinking about the underlying “why” of the entire project, and really catering your application to showing that you have spent the time to understand what they are truly looking for. I promise, taking this approach is one of the best ways to get a response on almost all of your Upwork job applications.

Using Your Niche To Your Advantage

Another great reason to identify your niche! The majority of clients are looking for freelancers who are experts within a specific field — and having this to your advantage during the application stage is incredibly helpful. Being able to reference similar products or specific work experience in the field they are looking for is a great way to make your client feel like hiring you is a safe and smart decision. I highly recommend spending some time to identify and specify your working niche to help your clients better understand what you are bringing to the table.

The Sneaky Trick I Use To Grab a Client’s Attention in Less Than 5 Seconds

Want an extra tip for catching your client’s eye for your next application? If you are applying to an Upwork job, always check their previous reviews from freelancers they have hired in the past. Oftentimes, in the review, the previous freelancers refer to the client by the first name. Using the client’s name in the opening address of your job application is a great way to make your message sound more professional, personalized, and will grab their attention.

I hope these tips help — happy applying!