Photo by Daniel Cheung on Unsplash.com
[Updated July 18, 2019: Upwork removed Skills Tests this July]
Question: What do students (including a student from Marawi), cum laudes, undergraduates, master’s degree holders, nurses, teachers, single moms, call center agents, senior citizens, PWDs (persons with disability), veteran employees (with 10-20+ year experience), OFWs, and other professionals (including a lawyer, sales manager, team leads, art directors, senior CS trainer, tax accountant, and GMA-7 music composer) have in common?
Answer: I’ve personally helped each one of them (at least 700 to 1,000 workers as of March 2018 — and still counting!), and they all have successfully used or are currently using the following Upwork profile approval checklist and tips which I’m going to share with you.
Is Your Upwork Profile Rejected 100 Times?
Did you get rejected over 100 times like some of these workers? No problem! I’ve helped workers who got 50 to over 100 Upwork profile rejections!
This simple checklist works so well that it will guarantee your profile approval success even if you apply only a few of what I’ve mentioned on this list!
It’s really simple. But first, you must understand…
Why You Need an Approved Upwork Profile
Joining Upwork is harder these days. Upwork has become stricter in the past few years as more freelancers join the platform. New members’ profiles must go through an approval process before they can apply to jobs available in Upwork.
Thousands of Upwork profiles have been rejected and this checklist has helped a lot of workers who are essentially “newbies” looking to enter the online freelancing industry.
Before You Proceed
Do you have an old oDesk or Elance account? oDesk and Elance are the predecessors of Upwork. If you do, try your best to find the login details for your old account. oDesk and Elance accounts do not need to go through the approval process. If needed, seek help from Upwork chat support to get your old account moved or reactivated in Upwork.
In any case, getting a rejected Upwork profile eventually approved isn’t “seriously very difficult” as some workers have told me.
No Profile Yet?
If you don’t have an Upwork profile, you need to register on Upwork.com. Read my FAQ “How can I join Upwork?” to learn how and then review this article.
Where to Find Your Profile and Profile Link
Log in and go to the Jobfeed page. On the right sidebar below your picture, you’d see “View my profile”. Your profile link is also there (the URL or link itself).
On mobile, find Desktop Format > View my profile
Your profile link would look like this:
https://www.upwork.com/fl/[your name] or
https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~[series of numbers and characters]
How to Edit Your Profile
Go to Find Work > Profile > Edit Profile
You can edit each section from this point on.
Once you’re done, click Done Editing and Re-submit profile.
But before you do, read further…
How Will This Checklist Help You?
The goals of this profile approval checklist are:
- to get your rejected profile approved fast so you can apply to jobs sooner
- to increase your hiring chances and get you hired faster right after approval (based on feedback, many freelancers got hired — some of them multiple times! — after using my checklist and following my advice)
You’re Profile is Approved When…
You get an email saying your profile is approved or published. This email would come minutes or hours after you resubmit your Upwork profile.
Some workers don’t get an email within 24-72 hours. If this happens to you too, don’t panic! Try to submit a job proposal. Being able to submit a proposal means your profile has been approved!
Now, let’s move on…
Upwork Profile Sections
Familiarize yourself with these sections so you can navigate the profile faster.
Many parts of the profile are self-explanatory, so I only included some in this edited screenshot:
Some sections of the Upwork profile
“Minor” Profile Sections
I consider a few profile sections as “minor” because they’re either less important or optional. These sections include Time and Location, Video, Education, and Other Experiences.
Name
You must use your real, full name.
Time and Location
While this is a minor section, you should make sure that it’s accurate.
Video
You can add a video to your profile. But this part is optional.
Education
Like Time and Location, make sure this is accurate.
Other Experiences
If there’s anything else you want to add that doesn’t fit the other sections, you can add them here.
In my case, I mentioned my volunteering work, as well as skills, positions, and awards I got in high school.
Now, let’s go to the…
Upwork Profile Approval Checklist That Guarantees Success
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Is your Upwork profile still rejected? An Upwork profile rejection is not the end of the world!
I know this based on my experience helping workers who had their Upwork profile rejected, and they got rejected as much as 30 to over 100 times!
Proven Upwork Profile Checklist Since 2012
What follows is the checklist I’ve used to help workers get their profiles approved.
This is the same checklist I’ve used since I joined oDesk (now Upwork) in 2012.
I don’t have an exact count of how many got approved using this (I get at least 30-60 new messages from workers asking for help weekly as of the time of this writing — July/August 2017). You can check my feedback to find many of them.
1. Check Capitalization, Spelling, Punctuation, Spacing, and Grammar
This is the easiest problem to fix in your profile — and yet many ignore and fail to.
Some profiles I’ve checked are well made but severely lacking in this department. I’ve helped several workers get their profiles approved just by fixing this part alone!
For instance, many call center agents spell “customer service” as “costumer service”. Soon after fixing this simple mistake (among a few other mistakes), at least one call center agent got his/her profile approved!
For capitalization, you should ensure “I” and proper nouns are capitalized. I’ve seen freelancers capitalize words or phrases that are not proper nouns, like “Biggest Call Center Company in the Philippines” or “Top Online Apps”, while others fail to capitalize proper nouns or terms, like “microsoft excel”.
For punctuation, make sure you are using punctuation marks properly. Most people lack punctuations like commas, while a few have excess punctuations at the wrong places (the freelancer may have forgotten to delete these excesses).
Many do not add a space between paragraphs too.
2. Remove Common Skills or Positions
These would include “data entry”, “typing”, “data encoding”, “data encoder”, and “encoder”. If you have these words in your Profile, I suggest you remove them or replace them with other more specific words.
For example, if you’re a data entry specialist who uses Microsoft Word well, put “Microsoft Word Specialist” instead of “Data Entry Specialist”.
3. Profile Picture
You should use a clear, full-face, professional picture. This sends a message that you’re serious about your online jobs search. Choose a front-facing picture with your best smile, if possible!
Some people have used their graduation pictures. I’ve advised them to replace it with a professional one instead.
The image background should ideally provide a good contrast.
4. Job Title
This is one of the most important sections of your Profile. It must tell the clients, in 70 characters or less, what your skills are.
If you offer a variety of skills, use this space to declare what you do best.
If you’re a master at certain skills, feel free to add the words “guru”, specialist”, “veteran”, “pro”, “expert”, or use what some clients like, “ninja”. For example, “Customer Service Specialist”, “Graphic Design Veteran”, or “Excel Guru”.
Remember to maximize the space — you have a 70-character limit (use wordcounter.net to check). Separate your skills with “/”, “,”, or even “|”.
Example: “Customer Service Specialist | Excel & Shopify Guru”.
5. Skills Cloud
The Skills Cloud is another place to showcase your skills.
Clients are able to search for freelancers by skill-based keywords (like “customer service”), so maximize the space provided here. You can choose up to 10 skills or so. Pick those that best represent your skills.
Do not add low-value or common skills here like “english spelling” or “data entry”. Doing so is like saying “I can breathe and do addition or subtraction”.
It’s ideal to have a checkmark beside the skills you’ve added here. A checkmark means you’ve taken an Upwork skills test on that respective skill (see #9 below). Here’s an example:
Upwork skills cloud with checkmarks
Note that many skills don’t have corresponding checkmarks or skills tests.
6. Overview
I consider this the extended version of the Job Title.
Here, you have much more space to inform clients about specific details of your skills.
Write with a positive, confident, and professional tone. Write about your work ethic and what you can do for clients.
Make it easy to read. Use short paragraphs. Each paragraph must focus on one topic. Add a space between paragraphs. Feel free to use bullet points.
Use proper formatting and write normal paragraphs. For example, I don’t recommend this kind of formatting I’ve seen in a few profiles:
Unusual formatting of an Upwork profile’s Overview section
7. Portfolio
This is the visual part of your profile.
Whether you’re experienced or not, showcase how good you are by uploading work-related documents, screenshots and samples, awards, and certificates. You can even add a link to your blog or websites you’ve made.
For freelancers looking for voice jobs, you can also add a link to your voice recording here (use Vocaroo).
8. Certifications
If you have received certifications for certain skills, add them here. Otherwise, you can upload them to your Portfolio.
This section, although important, can be optional too. Many approved profiles have an empty Certifications section.
9. Skills Tests
[Note: This tip about Skills Tests is no longer relevant because Upwork has removed this section of the profile on July 2019. But you should still take the Upwork Readiness Test]
I consider this as one of the most important parts of the Upwork profile.
For undergraduate but skilled workers like me, you can shine by doing well in this section. If you don’t have any work or online job experience, you can use this section to impress potential clients too.
Find the Skills Test page here or go to Find Work > Tests
Use the Search tool on this page to find relevant tests. Take ALL tests related to your skills.
Your profile must have at least 4-5 tests. The more Upwork skills tests you take, the better. And by getting top scores (like 1st place, 2nd place, Top 30%, etc.), you’re proving to yourself and your potential clients that you’re really skilled.
On the other hand, if you get “Failed” or Below Average” test results, it means you need more practice or still lack the required skills. It’s best to hide these test results.
I’ve personally taken over 60 tests in the last 5 years, and I’ve continued to take tests afterward. Below are just some of my test results:
A partial list of Upwork skills tests I’ve taken
The odd thing is, my Skills Tests section alone is much longer than 70% of rejected Upwork profiles shared with me!
Take each test seriously. It would take one to six months before you can retake many of the tests.
Each test takes 5 to 40 minutes, depending on your skills.
10. Employment History
Many workers ignored this section or failed to spend enough time on it.
If you have previous work experience, you should add them here.
Add relevant dates and details about your position.
You can use this section to generate ideas for your Job Title.
11. Hourly Rate
Provide a reasonable hourly rate, one that is consistent with your skills and experience. You can start with $3 to $10 per hour. Remember to consider the Upwork fees when deciding your rate.
Be professional about this and all parts of your profile. I’ve seen many freelancers (with poorly-created profiles) put in a really high hourly rate. Take your profile seriously so your potential clients would take you seriously.
Bonus Tips
Fill it to the brim. Your profile is your first opportunity to impress your clients. Make the most of it! I’ve seen hundreds of profiles that are almost empty, and yet they wonder why their Upwork profiles are rejected!
Type your name carefully. I’ve seen two-word names typed as one (example, “Juan Miguel” typed as “JuanMiguel”). The worst thing that could happen is you’d have a problem with withdrawals from Upwork if you have stated an incorrect name (name mismatched with your bank account name).
Use clear, simple language. Don’t use words or terms that only you can understand. Ordinary people should understand most, if not everything, in your profile. Remember that many clients are NOT experts in their field or business. Write clearly. Write not to impress, but to be understood.
Use proper terms or industry jargon. Don’t add terms like “PLDT Company”, Quickbook” (for accountants), “Adobe Light Room” (for graphic designers), “facebook”, or “microsoft xcel”. Use proper terms and jargon with correct spelling.
Be specific. Specify all details necessary. For example, instead of saying “I’ve used Microsoft Word, etc.”, you should specify everything. When you add “etc.”, you’re being lazy and unprofessional. Clients do not have crystal balls! 😂
Be consistent throughout your profile as much as possible. Be consistent with the skills you specify, even with minor things like capitalizing words.
If you say you’re a Python or frontend development expert, you must prove it in your Skills Tests section in one way or another.
If you say you have 6 years of experience, some parts or your entire profile must corroborate that fact (example, the 6-year experience is highlighted in your Employment History details).
An ideal profile is one where the stated skills are consistent across the profile: in the Job Title, Skills Cloud, Overview, Skills Tests, Portfolio, Employment History and other sections of the profile. If you’re good at Microsoft Excel, all or most sections of your profile must consistently highlight this.
Show, don’t tell. This is related to the previous tip and is worth mentioning as a separate tip because hundreds of workers I’ve helped ignore this. Instead of saying something, it’s better to prove it.
If you say you’re a Microsoft Excel expert, prove it in the Skills test, Certification, Portfolio, and/or in other sections. Prove it in all profile sections if you can.
Be concise. Remove useless or redundant words or sentences.
Examples of useless ones: saying “I’m computer savvy”, “I can type”; “I’m familiar with the internet”. Don’t mention these. It’s like you’re proudly saying “I am human and I can breathe”. If you want to work online, it’s required that you can type and are familiar with the internet. Remember that you found Upwork through the internet to begin with.
In the Overview, don’t mention redundant details like your name, location, school, or work experience. Your name and location are already mentioned above the Overview, while your school details should go to the Education section. And your school isn’t too important to foreign clients (they care about your skills much more). Your work experience should be added to Employment History.
Mind your niche. Are you offering skills that many clients look for? Your answer and reaction to this important question will make a huge impact on your career.
Make a list of all your skills. Focus on those with the most demand. If you’re not sure, ask friends, workmates, other workers, or do a research online. [In the near future, I’ll create an article about finding your niche]
If your skills are not in high demand, you must be prepared to learn new skills, or at least do a review. You have to keep up with the changes happening right now (and in the future) in order to survive and thrive.
Once you’ve identified your niche/s, you must highlight it/them in these sections of your profile, as much as possible: Job Title, Overview, Skills Cloud, Skills Test, Portfolio, Employment History, and Certifications.
Don’t cheat and add fake or unnecessary information. Many freelancers are asking for cheatsheets for the skills tests. Many online workers are adding fake details on their profiles too. By doing so, you’re lying to clients and yourself. It’s also illegal to do so, and so don’t be surprised if you get suspended in Upwork.
Don’t add contact details to your profile. The client is supposed to contact and hire you through Upwork.
Mind your submission time. Resubmit your profile in the evening, from 11 PM onward (Manila time; that’s GMT+8 for foreign workers. You can use a timezone converter like this). I have a theory on why this works, but I don’t have insider proof. Regardless, the important thing is that this really works! Submit during weekdays only.
Trial and Error. If you don’t get approved, you just need to keep trying. Before you resubmit your profile, you have to make substantial changes to your profile. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time.
Don’t underestimate minor changes. Sometimes simple minor changes could be the key to getting approved. I know this based on my experience in helping some workers.
Trial and error is my final bonus tip because this is the last thing you need to do to get your Upwork profile approval. This really works, even for workers who got 50 to 100+ Upwork profile rejections (before asking for my advice) — based on my experience in helping them!
See some of my feedback here:
Some of the workers I’ve helped
Still Got a Rejected Profile in Upwork?
Did you get another Upwork profile rejection after following my tips here?
Make sure you really did follow all my advice in this checklist article. Based on my experience, 60% to 90% of workers who asked for my advice and got rejected again fall into two camps:
- they did not really follow all my instructions (I manually reviewed their profiles; some got approved anyway, but many don’t) and/or
- they cannot follow some of my tips (for example, many weren’t able to get good skills test results due to lack of sufficient skills).
How do I know this for sure? Well, I take screenshots of their profiles. So I know for sure if the worker really did make changes or not.
Screenshot of just some of the rejected Upwork profiles
As you can see, I’ve got a list of over 200 screenshots as of February 2018. This list does not include the profiles I’ve helped get Upwork approval since 2016.
Make sure to review the entire checklist and tips here, and remember that trial and error really works!
Here’s John who recently messaged me with good news — he followed my advice and got approved just 5 minutes after resubmitting:
“di ko nga inaasahan pag sumbit (submit) ko wala pang 5 mins nag reply agad”
After using my checklist, this worker got approved in 5 MINUTES!
Once Approved…
Remember to continuously improve your profile by using the above tips and checklist.
Final Thoughts
Stay positive! If my checklist and tips have worked for over 300 online workers, from various walks of life, they will work for you too!
Your ability to follow instructions is one factor that will allow you to get approval and succeed in Upwork.
Follow my checklist and tips (100% if possible) so you can get your profile approval as soon as a few minutes or hours from now.
Readers have found these helpful too:
- Avoid Scammers and Time-wasters: Filter Upwork Clients Like a Boss
- Top 13 Worst Mistakes Upwork Freelancers Make That You Should Avoid Starting Today
- Discover The Secret to Getting Your First Upwork Client
- Fill out the OnlineJobsPlus Freelancer Directory form
- Upwork FAQs
- Ang Pinaka’s Top 10 In-Demand Online Jobs
Comment, Join, and Share
If my advice has worked for you, please let me know by posting a comment below.
Like, Share, and Follow OnlineJobsPlus on Facebook. If I’ve been able to help you in the past (questions and profile approval), please add your feedback to my growing list of Facebook testimonials (90+ reviews and counting)!
Join my Facebook group, Online Jobs Hub.
Fill out the OnlineJobsPlus Freelancer Directory form if you’re looking for better online job opportunities.
If you found this article informative, please share it with others (especially those who need help) and be sure to keep visiting my website for more!
Jeff is a multi-awarded, multi-skilled online jobs freelancer, mentor, and volunteer coach who is on a mission to spread his passion for freelancing and uplift the lives of online workers around the world.
This site was really helpful for me since I don’t have an idea how to fill out my Upwork application.Thanks for the tips given.
You’re welcome Jingky! Please share this website with others, especially those looking for homebased or better job opportunities. I still have a list of articles to be published soon. Thanks for your comment!
sir please check my profile
Did you follow my checklist? You can send me a message here: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
Don’t forget to fill out my directory form here and share it with your skilled friends (for job seekers):
https://www.onlinejobsplus.com/onlinejobsplus-freelancer-directory/
Sir Jeff, i’m using your tips and currently polishing my profile. Would you be able to help how to appeal for a suspended account? Thanks
Hello Dinah, I can try. I’ve helped several workers who had suspension problems. You can send a message with details to my page at Online Jobs Plus: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
Sobrang hats off… I just bumped with Sir Jeff 2 weeks ago and I started to throw questions at him. At first I thought he was a snob but he was my angel (I guess lol). Sir Jeff was so assistive and patient with my questions. I did created an Upwork profile for the first time and got disapproved which made me upset but then I did not lose hope… after Sir Jeff provided me this link/tips, all I did was followed what he put in here and there it went upon resending my profile I received the best email reply from Upwork – my profile got Approved!!!
Thank you so much Sir Jeff for your time. We have not met nor we’re friends on FB but you were there when I needed you the most haha #dramaqueen #realtalk.
Pls let me know Sir Jeff on how I could be of help to you if you need one…it’s payback time 🙂
Hello Marites, congratulations! You’re now ready to apply to Upwork jobs you like.
No payback needed. 😀 Just share this blog and my articles to skilled workers who need it, or are interested in better job opportunities and doing homebased jobs!
Rest assured Sir Jeff…my pleasure. 🙂
Thanks Marites!
Hi. Thank you!! Shared this with friends!
Thanks a lot Yan! I hope it works for you and your friends! Let me know thru my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/ 😀
im losing hope na,,,hundred times na po yata ako submit ng profile ko sa upwork but always rejected please i need your help
Hello Janette, Losing hope is the last thing you need right now. Quitting automatically makes you lose. 😀
I’ve helped at least 1 or 2 workers who got rejected 100+ times. Send me a message at my OJP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
Thank you for your selfless effort making everyone have a chance to get into upwork. I have an account with elance in 2012, took some exams there but my problem before was, I really cannot start because I was so ignorant about the ins & outs, how to get paid etc. So, I unsubscribed messages. Is it possible to retrieve as you made mention? How do I do it please? Thank you.
Hello Emily, yes it’s possible. You need to retrieve your login details. I’ve helped other workers do the same.
If you need help, send me a message at my OJP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
Sir, I need your help. been rejected for 3 times now:( I am so desperate. Could you please help me check my profile and see what area needs to improve? thank you in advance…
Hi Mary, You need to follow my checklist carefully. Most people don’t, based on my experience of personally helping hundreds of workers.
If you still need help, send me a message at my OJP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
What if I have an old odesk account that got suspeneded. Can I make a new profile?
Hi chaddie, Are you sure that it’s been suspended? Some workers who had suspended accounts created new Upwork profiles, but you have to decide if that’s a risk you’re willing to take.
Sir Jeff,I need your help.I’ve been rejected for the second time now could you pls help me check my profile.Thankyou and Godbless
Hi Lea, you can send a message with your Upwork profile link to my OJP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
Sir Jeff, I just want to thank you for this. My friend’s profile was rejected a countless times before and got approved only after following your advice. Kudos to you!
Hello Meldz, could you share her profile link with me? Kindly send it directly to me or thru my OJP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
Congrats to her! 😀
Sir jeff please i need you to please help me with my upwork profile am loosing hope here i have be rejected twice now and i am really in need of an online job please help me.
Hello Dickson, I already replied to your messages on my Facebook page. Profile approved, congratulations! 😀
Hello! Thank you so much for sharing this info. I submitted an application to Upwork and got rejected. This afternoon I came across this blog and did what you have advised. I had an old account with oDesk / Elance, so I submitted a message to Upwork asking them if its possible to retrieve my old account and be moved to Upwork. Now am able to login to Upwork and update my Profile. Thank you so much for your helpfulness. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. 🙂
Hello Joy, that’s great news, congratulations! 😀 Other freelancers had a similar experience. Could you message me with your profile link (thru my OJP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/ ) ?
Good afternoon! Yes. 🙂
I believe I got your message. Thanks!
Hi Sir, can yo also check my Profile? I’m not really sure about what I have in mine.
Sure Erica. Kindly send your profile link directly to me or thru my OJP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
Hello sir, my upwork account is rejected every time. Please help me
Hello Diksha, you can send a message with your profile to my OJP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
Once my upwork profile accepted with 100% even I sent proposal, whatever I remember I sent proposal access may be, but I didn’t check and care about it. I tried to recover it more times but couldn’t success still. When I submit my profile they don’t accept and message that resubmit …….profile etc. How can I recover from it. May I get help, please !
Hi Jeneva, I don’t understand. Is your profile rejected? If so, you can send a message with your profile link to my OJP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/
Newbie here..I really need to do this..
Follow it carefully, Karren! Let me know if it works for you!
This is a good article, it gives a lot of information. Sana you can help suspended upwork profile. I dont know how to retrieve it. 🙁
Hi Joy, not all suspended profiles can be retrieved. You can send me details on my Facebook page
Hi Sir, susubukan ko pong i follow mga tips mo, and hopefully ma approve na profile ko. thank you.
Kamusta Maeann, wag nyo pong subukan. Sundin nyo ng mabuti ang checklist ko para mapabilis ang approval nyo. Karamihan ng natulungan ko ay hindi sinusunod ang checklist kaya nare-reject uli. Update nyo lang ako.
Hi Sir, my profile has been rejected for 3 times already. Please help me.
Hello Shaine, I think I have replied to your Facebook message already. Please check.
Hi sir Jeff! Just want to say thank you for the tips. All I did was to check all my spelling and grammar then resubmitted it just around 11 pm and then, tada! I instantly got an email about my profile on Upwork is already published.
Thanks ulit sir! Hope more newbies like me can be helped by your tips. God bless you sir Jeff!
Hello Jerzey, congrats! Another easy approval! 😀 Yes, that tip has worked for many workers too! Remember to keep improving your profile!
Don’t forget to Like and share my page https://www.facebook.com/Onlinejobsplus/ and keep visiting my website for tips: https://www.onlinejobsplus.com/
pwede ba mag apply dito kahit wala pa maxadong experience..
Of course, Chris! I didn’t finish college and had ZERO job experience, but I thrived and succeeded (and got awards, to boot)! Kung kaya ko, kaya mo rin! 😉
Hi Sir,
Good day. May idea po ba kayo kung paano ma reinstate pag permanent suspension?
No chance, since permanent na. You can try other job sites.
Don’t forget to fill out my directory form here and share it with your skilled friends (for job seekers):
https://www.onlinejobsplus.com/onlinejobsplus-freelancer-directory/
Hello Sir Jeff, I have been working in upwork for almost 3years kaso na suspended yung account ku kasi one month din na wla ako project. That’s why i planned to create a new profile at di na approved. Would it be fine hu na ilagay ko ibang skills tapos edit ku nalang pag na approved? Pwede ba yun hehe . I am really having a hard time n getting my account approved. I hope you can help. 🙂
Hi Cherry, lying is bad and illegal. Use my checklist para ma-approve ka. Follow it carefully. Good luck!
Hi, Im Filipino deaf. I like online job I don’t want to apply job anywhere in Metro Manila because I have a health problem. I just resigned from job four years ago. I wonder does Upwork accept the person with disability? I have some questions, Can I use Mobile phone for taking a photo of myself? I read this website about bonus tips I don’t yet try Upwork. I need to learn your answers before I will join Upwork. Can I add my previous work experience? no need? I am afraid if my profile will get rejected. Please help me Sir Jeff Thank you!
Yes, online jobs is for everyone who have skills and commitment! There are many disabled people who work online! Hope you followed my checklist completely
hi! sir Jeff been Rejected twice now Im loosing hope na talaga,pero ngayo ifofollow ko na checlist nyo and will submit it later at 11pm hehe.I hope mapasa ko na to maraming maraming salamat sir Jeff.
Welcome, Ruth! Follow my checklist carefully. Good luck!
sir para san po ung milestone?
Parang tingi tinging task yun. Nakakatulong yun para makita ng client ang trabaho mo (if you do a good job or not) and para mas mabilis ka mabayaran
Hi Jeff,
I chanced upon your website as I am quite confused as to why my Upwork profile has been rejected for so many times already. A former colleague of mine who works as an admin advised that my profile has been set to “limited”. So every time I resubmit my profile, it’s auto-rejected.
I followed your checklist already but I still got rejected.
Hi Casey, I’ve helped at least 800-1,000 workers already. 80-95% of workers who say they followed my checklist never really did. I encourage you to read and follow 100% of my checklist, including trial and error. Message me on my Facebook page if you still need help.
Hi Jeff,
Just read your blog. About having odesk account, I forgot I got odesk account until I accidentally searched it thru my other account inbox. Upwork just mentioned profile has no matched opportunity on their market. Beside I never used my odesk account before as far as I can remember, I am not even sure if I submitted my photo. Do you think it’s still best to raise this with upwork since I am now using a different email and completed my profile. I really don’t know the real reason for rejection but I just assume, they are just strictly filtering the skills and has nothing to do with my old account. Thanks for your help.
Hi Rowena, if you’re able to access/log in to and use your oDesk account, I suggest you use that instead. IF this is the case, you can delete your Upwork account (to avoid duplicate accounts).
I have read and reread this but to no avail, my profile still isn’t approved. I hope you can help me on this. Sending you my profile link too.
https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0123256a5bdfaa1185?viewMode=1
Reading will NOT help. You need to follow it 100% as much as possible. I checked your profile (looks good, overall) and I see at least one violation of my checklist. Do give me an update.
My profile in upwork still not approved, hope soon .. please help me to find work here
Hi Kim, At least a thousand workers I’ve personally helped have successfully used this checklist. Make sure to follow it well!
-email removed-
Madel, I removed your email to protect you from spammers.
I’m launching PlatformX soon, an award-winning startup online jobs platform, so I can help more job seekers like you.
Check out the 40+ benefits, bonuses, and reasons on my blog post here:
https://onlinejobsplus.com/top-benefits-reasons-why-you-should-join-platformx-now-than-later/
If you believe in PlatformX’s vision and mission, I invite you to join PlatformX as a Founding Member soon!
It’s a very helpful website.Great!😍
Thanks Madel. Don’t forget to fill out my directory form here and share it with your skilled
friends (for job seekers):
https://www.onlinejobsplus.com/onlinejobsplus-freelancer-directory/ I’m helping more workers find better-paying jobs
Hi Sir Jeff,
I’m so desperate, I badly needed your help to approve my application on Upwork.
I’ve been rejected many times.
Thanks,
Axel Jay Manato
Hello Axel, make sure you read and follow my checklist 100% to avoid further rejections.
Don’t forget to fill out my directory form here and share it with your skilled friends (for job seekers):
https://www.onlinejobsplus.com/onlinejobsplus-freelancer-directory/ I’m helping more workers find (better-paying) jobs
Any tips po for making a Portfolio? IT grad ako pero I don’t want to pursue programming. Gusto ko sana Data Entry and VA. Hope you can help me po
Your portfolio should showcase your skills. Kung IT ka, mas ok kung IT-related skills. Generally, low-level skill ang data entry at maraming competition. Mas ok kung focus ka sa best skills mo (IT skills, kung dun ka magaling).
I am very thankful that I found this website as I also have a problem with submitting my application in Upwork. Although it was my first try to submit but got rejected after 72 hours. I hope after I followed your tips and advice, my application will be approved. If not, I hope that you also consider me to extend your help with my problem. Because I know that you’re a busy person but still was able to help others. God Bless you.
sir jeff I’m still working on my upwork profile..Ano bang pwedeng ilagay sa portfolio kung newbie naman ako sa online freelancing. Pwede ba ung sa corporate jobs ko before?? Thank you for the response
Hi Cristina, yes pwede. As mentioned sa checklist ko, anything that can help highlight your skills. Fill out mo rin yung directory form ko and share it with your friends.
Sobrang effective ng article na to. Sir Jeff maraming salamat dito. I am struggling to approve my upwork na inabot na ng 15 months pero nung sinunod ko to ng gabi, kinabukasan naapprove agad. I will recommend this article sa mga may kababayan nating nangangailangan.
Congrats sir Carlo! Welcome! Fill out mo rin yung directory form ko and share it with your friends.
THIS IS GREAT, MANY PEOPLE CAN HELP THIS KIND OF BUSINESS/JOB..WISH I CAN BE PART OF THIS BUSINESS.
Yes you can, Maryjean!
Hi im interested in online jobs but i have no background in this kind of field, but i want to expand my skills and knowledge and I am willing to learn new experience aside from my field.
As a medical worker, i hope there’s a chance for me to work in online jobs.
Yes, everyone willing can try online jobs.
You can check out my FAQ page here: https://www.onlinejobsplus.com/upwork-faq-frequently-asked-questions/
Badly need work. hope you can help. Thank you.
Hello Flor, fill out my jobseeker form and share it with other jobseekers. You can find it here on my website.
Sir Jeff,
Thank you for the tips / knowledge that you imparted through this article. In just 1 day my application was approved in upwork. God bless you sir
Congratulations Schwar! Many workers got approved in minutes, hours, or days just like you because you followed the checklist well. Don’t forget to fill out my jobseeker form and share it with your friends/family!
Hi. Pwede pa help po? ano po ang gagawin ko, I created an upwork account before and it was rejected so I stopped but Now I want to resubmit again however I can’t open my account since I forgot my username or email and the password so I tried to retrieve my account using my email adress to change the password but can’t able to open my profile nag loloading lang sya. ano po gagawin ko? I want to remove my account nalang to start a new one but hindi ko po magawa. pls help
Hello Leah, try your best to find the email+password. Next step is contact mo Upwork chat support or thru FB. Waste of time yung paggawa ng bagong account, plus baka masuspend ka pa for having a duplicate account. Hope ma-retrieve mo original account mo. Let me know!
Fill out mo rin jobseeker form ko: https://www.onlinejobsplus.com/onlinejobsplus-freelancer-directory/
I need your help..Pahelp po sa peofile ko.
I’ve helped thousands of freelancers using my Profile Checklist. It’s found here on my website; do follow the tips there.
I’m launching PlatformX soon, an award-winning startup online jobs platform, so I can help more job seekers like you.
Check out the 40+ benefits, bonuses, and reasons on my blog post here:
https://onlinejobsplus.com/top-benefits-reasons-why-you-should-join-platformx-now-than-later/
If you believe in PlatformX’s vision and mission, I invite you to join PlatformX as a Founding Member soon!
Thanks for this.
You’re welcome, Racquel! Please fill out and share our jobseeker form with your friends: https://onlinejobsplus.com/platformx-waitlist-jobseeker-form/