3 Tips to bid on Guru’s Best Projects and become a Winning Guru

This is about a feature  “Add to Watch List” on Guru.com, where you go to pick your freelance projects.

You are busy.  You are busy with your content.  You are that busy you don’t even have time to log into your Guru account and check out those projects. And that is pretty bad news. You are busy now. But what about tomorrow, when your current assignment ends?   You will have to find a new project, bid on it and win it to keep you occupied.  It could take an other three days to three weeks and may be beyond.

Don’t despair.  Not all is lost.  Guru has a nifty feature.  “Add to Watch List”Log into your Guru account.  Click on the “Get Work” tab.  Set your search filters of your choice and now you have a list of all those projects that are open.  Neatly tabulated under various headings and they include Employer Statistics too.  IMHO, this is the most important column.  It informs you a great deal about this client.  (Read Employer = Potential Client = Client.)  It informs you if this potential client had paid her bills.  The number of projects she had posted and the kind of rating the providers gave them.

1 – The FIVE STAR rated client is the best.  That means none of our clan had any issues with this client.

2 – How much did this client pay?  A couple of thousands.  Oh.. I like this client more.  She’s been around for some time.  She knows how the system works.   She deserves your complete professional attention.  One you would like to retain for ever and be in her black book.

3 – Does she pay all her bills?  She does. Fantastic.  You ought not miss her projects.

What do you do now?  You are busy with your current project and yet do not want to leave this excellent potential client.

That’s where your Guru’s feature “Add to Watch List” comes in.  You just click on that tab “Add Watch List” and it goes into your “Add Watch List”.

Now you can go to your My Account and there under your “Manage Your Proposals”, reach your  “Watch List”.  Click on it, to go to your “Watch List”.Filter your watch list projectsYou can also set your filters from the drop-down list that provides you four options.  The first one is “Newly Listed”, then “Ending First”, the third is “Project Budget – Highest first” and the fourth is the “lowest first”.  Set your filters here and Guru will deliver all your watch-list projects  neatly tabulated.

At one glance you can now check out the best of the projects, the best paymaster, saving you plenty of time.Guru Add to Watchlist OptionsThere are also other filters that hide all those projects you have applied for, projects that viewed, those that need on-site work and vendors only projects.

Keep working on your projects, make some time go to your “Watch List” and present your bids.  That way you can keep both your hands busy all the time.  What you say?  🙂

3 Simple Tips To Win Paying Jobs on oDESK

As a professional freelance writer who is interested in building an online freelance writing career, there were times when I used to quite often visit oDesk.  The frequent visits were to check for openings and apply for almost all the potential jobs.  And then I used to get messages like this:

“Hello Anil,

You have not been selected for the job opening ‘ Ghost Writer‘.
* Reason candidacy was ended: Job Opening Expired
from oDesk.(Emphasis mine).The undeniable underlining hope was that it would take me closer to a successful freelance writing career.  I was yet to learn the tricks of the freelancing trade.  I did not know then that I was wasting my time and effort applying for some of those ‘freelance content writing openings’ that were very clearly saying ‘DO NOT APPLY’.  Surprised?  Don’t be.

The signs were all there.  The thing was I did not know how to read all those signs then.  I do not claim to be any wiser now.  But then I think I am better off from where I began working on oDesk, having spent more than 50 productive oDesk hours (you can check my oDesk history) and made some pretty decent money with freelance writing.  It included, website content writing, product descriptions (more about it in future), press release news, ghost writing for employment related blogs, some Internet research apart from other jobs.

Those little known ways that helped me, didn’t they?  So I would like to share them with you so you too can save some time.  You can invest that time in improving your chances of quickly finding ‘paying jobs’ and make some more money.

The First Tip
I subscribed to “Job alerts” a feature that you will find under your ‘My Profile” tab.  Half the clutter is out.

I get my job alerts into my inbox.  The jobs of my choice walk into my ‘inbox’.The Second Tip
When I visit the job posting on oDesk, the first thing even before I read the job posting is, check to see if the ‘buyer‘ is ‘oDesk Verified” for ‘Payment’

If the buyer is not ‘verified’ then you need to think twice before applying.  Is this buyer really serious about the job?  IMHO, I do not think this buyer is either professional or serious.  Out goes this from the list.The Third Tip
I check the ‘Buyer Facts’.  If this buyer became a member and posted this job the same day, this buyer too is ‘out‘.

The reason?  Well, I think this buyer doesn’t need my attention because, this buyer is not willing to tell me how she is going to pay me and when she is going to pay me, if at all she is going to pay me.So, there you have a buyer, who is not “oDesk payment verified” and the ‘oDesk Buyer Facts’ has nothing to tell you, so what would you do?

You love the gig and want to ‘do’ it.  Go ahead.  Be my guest. You can always give this gig a try and may be you will be introducing a great buyer to all of us here at oDesk.

Bonus:
The bonus is you can avoid all those “Candidacy Ended“, “project was canceled“, “Project expired” messages and unnecessary disappointments that keep crawling into your in box.
* With thanks to Brian Clark, the Copyblogger.

How to drum up your business?

Jose Feliciano, store – owner of Five Star Pets,a pet food store of Miles Town says that during a recession advertisement dollars are hard to come by. A small business owner, Jose feels that every dollars needs to be conserved to offer the best range to the thrifty customer that drops in.  Anne, a single mother and a part time sales person says sales at their store had begun to perk up ever since her employer, Jane had begun to advertise in the local news paper.

“It is always better to be seen at the convention, than the flea market”, says Liz, a gift and souvenir stores owner.  Incidentally Liz imports novelty and gift items from China.  Liz is on the road most of the time and conventions are the places where she feels she is able to drum up more business and get  to add new ones to her rolodex and eventually to her shipping list.

Conventions add value

Conventions are better organized and it is much easier to set up the show and it takes much less time to get the word out to potential customers.  It brings in a touch of professionalism to the business – especially to the one-man-army-bands. It helps to get to know the different market conditions.  The reps are there who bring in their new lines. Networking with the other players is easy.

Do conventions cost more?

Though at the end of the day, booth rentals and advertising costs, flyers, bill boards add up to  overheads, there is also the cost of the give-aways to count.  The get- to-know-dinners do add value to the relationship though it adds up to the costs.  But then they are all evened out by the business one does.  Out of towners obviously need to factor in their motel rents and parking charges.  Some of the convention centers charge additional fees for power and phone lines but then according to Peter Brown, a small business coach, “every dollar spent here is worth it.  You get a place, you get your buyer and he’s got the money.  You get to know the right guy who calls the the shots.  So it is that much easier and quicker to close the deal.  Everything under one roof and that includes your press-bureau too. I always advise my sellers to plan their presence.  That way they can keep their own expenses down”.

401 Words

Ideal dress for your baby

“Children are a handful sometimes, A heart full all the time…”

During the first few weeks the baby‘s skin is soft and tender and is growing. It is rich with the hormones from it’s parents. This may cause some rashes which disappear after some time. These rashes do not cause any harm to the child. However it is advisable to have the opinion of the the gynecologist that delivered the baby or a pediatrician that is attending the baby.

Any cloth made of natural fiber is best. However cotton tops the list. Soft colors are ideal. Strong colors retain heat. So are best avoided.

Babies grow fast. The dress you choose for the baby should be a size large than her. It is ideal that you choose clothes that are easy to change. The neck opening should be large enough to help remove it over the head without any discomfort to the baby. It is better that the dress does not have any buttons for they can come off and cause unnecessary concern.

Baby’s fingers may get caught in the lace which adorn the dress. So it is best to avoid clothes with lace work. Though a lot of fancy dresses are available in the market they are best left alone. The stitching on the cloth should be soft.

Baby’s dress needs to be changed quite often. So make sure there are plenty of them available. Use a disinfectant while washing the baby’s clothes. Some disinfectants may irritate the baby. Look for those signs. Baby crying soon after dress change could be a reason. Dress that you choose for the baby need not require pressing. As long as the baby is comfortable with the dress you need not unnecessarily worry about it.

* 292 words

Guide to Ties – The Windsor Knot

For those of you, who need to wear a tie to be more impressive either for a job interview or in an office a TIE is a must. This video would help you learn how to knot a tie – the Windsor Knot.
Learn it.
This guide shows you how to tie them properly and this clip shows the classiest knot of all, The Windsor.

How to Write A Good Résumé

How to Write A Good Résumé

How to Write A Good Résumé
This helps you with a few tips about writing Cover Letter and a CV / Résumé and get you that job you want so badly!
Monday, March 24, 2003
How to Write a Good Résumé.

Hints, Pointers, and Tips ‘O the Trade
1. Don’t send your résumé as an attachment. People looking to fill a position can receive hundreds of inquiries, and they’re not going to bother to take the extra time to open and print out your résumé. Put your résumé in the body of the email, after your cover letter.

Writing Letters:
The résumé & the Application Letter gives the prospective employer everything they
Would like to know about you.

You need to format your résumé and Cover letter for the hard copy, which you may send.
1- While formatting leave adequate margins on all sides i.e., top bottom, left and right.
2 – The lay out should be neat and visually pleasing.
3 – The first block on the left of the letter would be the Employers Address.

A It would be better to call up the advertiser and get to know the name of the person who is to receive the letter. Check the spelling. Check it again read out aloud and confirm it. If you do not have a name, if the advertisement gives you no salutation, print ‘The Advertiser’ or ‘The Personnel Manager’.

The title of the employers name can be abbreviated like a Mr. Or Dr. If it is a woman you are addressing, use ’Ms’. Most of the other forms would be a Mrs. or a Miss.

It is a Ms. Laxmi and a Dr. Adam Wheavil and NOT Dr. Vinod Kumar MBBS.

Introduction:
You identify yourself, the position you are applying for and how you came to know about it.

Body:
You mention about your knowledge, your experience and your desire to work for the company and any of your knowledge about the company.

Conclusion:
You indicate the enclosed contents of the résumé and finish with a request.
You may also be proactive and inform that you would call back say in a week or ten days time to follow up your application. You request for an interview.

Ending

It is ideal to close the letter with ‘yours sincerely’ and ‘with regards’ / ‘warm regards’ ONLY when you know the employer.

Signature Block

You put your signature here. Ideally two lines below the ending of the letter. Beneath your signature your name should be printed legibly. Ideally with the first letters of your name in capitals e.g. A. Bill Gates but not Mr. A. Bill Gates. (You never introduce yourself with a Mr. / Ms / Dr. Etc.,)

Check the résumé for spelling mistakes before enclosing. The enclosure should be mentioned in the cover letter.

After your name leave two lines space and type : ‘Enclosure’. You may also type
‘Encl.:’ my résumé or simply résumé or append your name to it, to make it unique.  Say for example if your name is Joe Bill, it would read, Joe Bill_résumé.

SAMPLE LETTER:

DATE

dd mmm yy

The date on which the letter was written.

ADDRESS:

The Advertiser (When no name is given) When a name is given Mr. / Ms. / Dr. /Prof. /)
The address in the advertisement.

Dear Sir / Madam

(You use this salutation when you or not aware of the gender of the person to whom you are addressing the letter.)

Sub: Application for the post of (mention the position you are seeking)

This letter is with reference to your advertisement
(NEVER USE THE ABBREVIATIONS) in the mention the name of the publication, and the date
(for e.g ‘The Hindu’, dated 15th August 2003.) I would like to apply (mention the position).

(This paragraph mentions about personality, character attributes that would suit the position you are applying for. These are the qualities that you wouldn’t able to mention in your RÉSUMÉ apart from others. Here you may mention that your résumé is enclosed).

I have ………………………. about ………………as mentioned in my résumé which is enclosed

Kindly give me a chance to present myself for an interview. I am looking forward to an early and positive response from you.

Yours sincerely,

(leave at least five lines space.)

Your signature.

(Your name)

Encl.: Résumé .

A résumé is a document that describes you, your background and the career your seeking
To excel in. This is THE document that creates the first impression of you on the prospective employer.

 try to get to know about the organization.
 Its services / products.
 Avoid length descriptions.
 Combine your knowledge with the experience required by the organization.
 Put it chronologically.
 Mention what ‘YOU’ did for the previous company or the present company with which you are employed NOT what ‘WE’ did.
 Use action words.
 Check your gramar.
 Check your spling.
 Take second opinions.

Résumé should mention your

 Personal Details
 Educational Achievements
 Work Experience
 Additional Skills and any Training
 Extra curricular interests and hobbies

Résumé
(This is to be printed in capital letters and center aligned. Ideally all the heading should be in bold letters.)

Leave three blank line spaces. But should not be less than two lines.

Name: *Start here and align the consequent text to
this margin.
Age: *Leave double / triple line spacing between
Headings. Keep it uniform.

Date of Birth:

Address: 123, abc apts
456, road
Area
City – Pincode (123 456) or zip code in some countries or postal code in some other countries.
State / provice

Telephone No: 91+ (Std Code) 1234 56 78

Academic Qualification:

Degree / Course Year of Passing Percentage

Degree 1999

HSC 1996

SSC 1994

Technical Qualifications
(Mention different h/w and s/w platforms.)

Work Experience:
Interests:

*
*

You can mail me at:

Email Id: the.achievers+résumé AT gmail DOT com
While the help that is offered here is free it would be appreciated if you could acknowledge the use of this material.

How to Write A Good Résumé