How to Evaluate Job Posts On Upwork - And Save Your Connects!

If you don't know how to spend your Upwork Connects, you could end up without a job or wait for the next month to get your free Connects again.

Connects are the form of currency that you use to find a job on Upwork. It's a control system to prevent freelancers from applying for all the jobs posted there. If this currency system is not in place, it will be more difficult for the client to find the right person for the job.  

As with any legal tender, it's limited so spend it wisely.

So, in this article, I will teach you how to use your Upwork Connects to their full potential. I will explain how to evaluate a job posting and choose the best one for you. I cannot guarantee that you will find a job. However, knowing how to evaluate job postings alone will ensure you have Connects ready to spend when the right job comes along. 

How to Use Your Upwork Connects

Upwork has a monthly Connects plan. Each month, you get ten Connects, but they dry up quickly. So, you need to decide if you will fork out 6 Connects for just one job or three jobs worth 2 Connects each. If you run out of Connects, you can wait for the next month's plan, or you can buy additional connects at the following rate:

• 10 for $1.5
• 20 for $3
• 40 for $6
• 60 for $9
• 80 for $12
• 90 for $22.50

(You can be a PLUS member and get 70 connects each month as one of the perks; this costs $14.99.)

Upwork Connects can be expensive, but they can be worth the investment if you're just starting.

If you can afford the additional Connects, then availing them is convenient. However, buying extra Connects is undoubtedly out of the question if you are desperate for a job, have bills piling up, and are worried about where to get the cash for the next meal.

So, the goal of this short article is two-fold:

1. Learn how to evaluate a job post

2. Save precious Connects

You must evaluate a job post properly if you're looking for a job. It's pretty simple.

Tip: Don't apply at every job posting you see. Upwork is NOT a game of numbers; it's a game of skill, qualification, and confidence. Only apply for jobs you know you can get a five-star rating. Meaning it's something you can do WELL. 

Here are six sections you need to look at before you decide to apply for a job and spend Connects:

 1. When was the job posted?

Apply for freshly posted jobs. Don't waste your time on jobs posted a month or seven months ago.

Also, the time difference between you and your potential client is one of the things you need to consider.

If you are in the Philippines and want North American clients, stay up at night and monitor the job feed for fresh uploads. 

 2. How many Connects are required, and how many Connects do you have?

You need to know the minimum number of Upwork Connects required to get this job. The higher the income potential from a job is, the higher the number of Connects required. Usually, it's a minimum of one and a maximum of six. This information is crucial. Therefore, if you know that you can bag this job, go for it without a doubt. Otherwise, stick with "lowballers" who can give you five stars despite the low pay.

3. Preferred qualifications

Here is the following information you will see in this section:

• Talent type - whether the client is looking for an independent freelancer or someone who belongs to an agency.
• Job Success Score - some clients do not mind if you have a low score. However, some clients require you to have at least 90% JSS. If you do not meet this qualification, don't apply. 
• Include Rising Talent - Yes or no. Don't apply if it says YES and you do not have the Rising Talent Badge. 
• Location - some clients require talents in specific regions. Don't apply if you are outside that country or region. 
• English Level - Depending on the job, some clients require you to be fluent in specific languages. 

4. Activity on this job

Another quick to brows but heavy section:

• Proposals – How many proposals were submitted? If it's more than 10 - DO NOT apply. You'll be wasting your Connects. 
• Last Viewed by Client - 15 to 60 minutes is excellent (it means the client is online) or within the past 24 hours. If the client hasn't visited the job post for a long time, skip it. 
• Interviewing - if the number of applications is ten and below, and the interview is ZERO, you still have a chance. If the client is interviewing two or more, the client may have already chosen a candidate. In this case, I recommend you skip it. 
• Invites sent - the number of invitations the client sent out to freelancers they think meet their qualifications. 
• Unanswered Invites - If this is zero, you have a chance. 

5. Is the payment (method) verified?

Payment verification guarantees that the client is legitimate and that the project is funded. Suppose you see from the job post that the payment is NOT VERIFIED. Skip it. 

Suppose you get invited by the client while the status is PAYMENT NOT VERIFIED. The two of you have already reached an agreement, do not hesitate to tell the client to get the payment verified to prepare the contract. You cannot get hired if the client does not comply with this process.

If the client asks you to work outside Upwork, you need to tell him NO; this is a big no-no in Upwork, and you can get banned for it. Plus, remember that you are a newbie, and you need 5-star ratings. If the contract is outside Upwork, this job will not reflect on your job history, and you will not get any rating for it.

Note: Ratings are important because they will make or break your career as a freelancer on Upwork. The higher the rating (5 stars), the more attractive you are to clients. The more 5-star ratings you get, the more marketable you become, and the higher your income will be. So, think "long term" all the time. Di bale nang mabawasan ka ng fee, dadami naman and clients mo in the future. Clients tend to hire freelancers with more 5-star ratings and positive comments. 

6. Client's Recent History

The feedback section consists of the comments given by the freelancer to the client and vice versa. When evaluating a job post, always consider the freelancer's stars and the feedback given to the client. Don't apply for the job if it's less than three and several negative comments. 

It is really up to you. The feedback accurately represents your business relationship with the client if you have a contract with them.

 Conclusion

There you have it, the six key points you need to look at to evaluate a job post in Upwork properly. By identifying these key points, you get to apply only for the jobs you have a high chance of succeeding in and save your precious Connects without spending a dime. 

There are still many things I need to share about Upwork Connects, but in the interest of keeping this blog short, I'll share more in the next blog.

I hope this helps you, guys. Thanks for reading.