Upwork is one of the best-known platforms for virtual assistants in the Philippines. Aspiring VAs, both new and experienced, prefer this as their primary platform for clients. In this post, we'll delve deeper into its pros and cons, as well as what you can expect when using this platform. Through this piece, you will learn about the benefits, risks, and real expectations, as well as how to safely navigate the world of Upwork.
What Is Upwork?
Upwork is one of the premier platforms for both freelancers and businesses alike, both of which serve the purpose of hiring people and working on projects in different niches and fields of business. Established in the United States, it is known worldwide for its concept of online work and collaboration, shifting the work from a traditional landscape to a more robust and flexible work environment. Filling the gap in connecting the vast pool of talented individuals to the ever-growing business competition.
What Are Its Products And Services?
Upwork is a platform where your skills and expertise matter, where plenty of entrepreneurs and individuals are seeking to hire professionals to do and assist them with their work. One of the primary products or services of Upwork is its centralization of job listings, which can be referred to as an online marketplace for online work.
This is where you can market your skills, expertise, time, and talent in exchange for a contract with a promising employer. On the other side, you can also be an employer who likes to outsource your work to another online freelancer.
This is one of the best platforms for online freelancers since they have no shortage of niches where you can excel. Likewise, there are plenty of fields that you can explore when your contract ends, or to which you can send your proposals. Furthermore, their platform is available worldwide with no threshold on who can use their products and services.
What Are The Offered Benefits & Challenges Of Joining Upwork?
There are plenty of benefits to joining Upwork, from its payment structure to its employment security. However, concerns of competition and scams are always on the horizon. Here is a list of benefits or challenges in joining the Upwork platform:
Benefits/Advantages:
- Payment structure: Upwork has an internal payment structure on which you are protected and secured. Their payment structure suits both hourly and project-based work, depending on the contract you and your employer signed.
- Niche Availability: There is always an available niche for you, whether in general virtual assistant roles or managerial ones. Also, there is no shortage of job availability in the niche you like.
- Salary Rate: Salary rate traditionally depends on the skillset and experience, the work required, and, more so, the agreed rate between you and your employer. However, when it comes to Upwork, it will depend on how much you are willing to accept, whether it is a high or a low amount.
- Direct Clientelle: There is always a chance that you will work directly with the client itself; there is no middleman or agency that will manage you on behalf of the client.
- Schedule Flexibility: You can choose what kind of timetable you like; using Upwork’s platform does not bind you to a fixed schedule. Rather, it can be flexible depending on the work and agreement with your employer. Also, it may depend as well on the kind of work you desire, either project-based or hourly-based.
Downsides/Disadvantages
- Social Benefits: There are no standard social benefits that will come with working as an online freelancer, even using Upwork’s platform. You may need to discuss it with your employer. Social benefits are often neglected as employers choose to save costs while having efficient online freelancers.
- Scammers: Beware that even an established platform like Upwork is not exempt from dealing with malicious actors and scammers. Check wisely and spot especially if they are anomalous or suspicious (they will likely request a sample work, money, or work probation on a promise of becoming regularly employed).
- Lower Rate: As there is no standard rate on Upwork. An employer can decide how much they want to pay their contractors, which, therefore, results in an unfavorable option for many online freelancers. While there are employers who pay righteously, there are some who drastically lower their offer to an inappropriate rate of 1$ per hour.
- Time Difference: Many of the employers using Upwork are from North America or English-speaking countries. This makes a significant time difference between Filipino freelancers and foreign employers, which Filipinos have to deal with by working on a night shift schedule. Some may like this setup, while others struggle.
- Tough Competition: You are your own contractor; therefore, your application will rely heavily on how you promote yourself, unlike other platforms or agencies, where people are vetted and screened simultaneously. Your employers do not have this luxury; you need to stand out from the rest, which will require an excellent profile and confidence for you to get picked.
Varceo Insight
While Upwork is a popular destination for Filipino freelancers, it is important to note that there is no quick money or easy work on the platform. Success requires time, strong proposals, consistency, and perseverance, regardless of experience. Both new and seasoned virtual assistants should approach it with a long-term mindset, balancing its opportunities and challenges.
What Would Be Your Workflow Using Upwork?
In itself, it is just a platform and a window for all online freelancers and entrepreneurs alike. However, if you dive deeper into it as an online freelancer, it has a visible workflow for you, which you can follow to excel and expand in your career.
The Workflow
- Create your own “professional profile”: Creation of your own profile in any hiring platform is a must; however, you must present yourself in a valuable and professional manner. Hiring managers and businesses are looking for professionals to help with their work. Keep in mind that making your profile lackluster will lead to no job; instead, it will only waste your time.
Do check references about making your profile optimized with essential information, and showcase the proof of your work or your expertise. This will not only strengthen your profile but will also show that you know your work.
Suppose you don't have work experience or a specific niche. Take the initiative to learn from free resources (e.g., YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.), and you may also offer pro bono jobs to gain experience and expertise in the niche you like. - Browsing and sending proposals: Unlike the traditional process of applying for a job, on most of these platforms, you will be communicating directly with your potential client. You need to showcase how credible and confident you are, and your profile, especially your proof and knowledge of work, holds weight more than what is inside your resume.
When sending proposals, keep in mind that your answers or proposal should directly answer their questions and needs. Respond with your expertise or experiences that are proven effective and drive actual results; likewise, you have to have the initiative and the mindset to act accordingly for the growth and benefit of the company. While some traditional companies hire people to fill the gap in their workforce, these are small to medium-sized businesses, and they prefer efficient partners while saving costs.
- Contracts and Obligations: As a freelancer/Independent contractor, you are not an employee of the business. Your contract is made and processed through the Upwork platform, in which it is under your due diligence to check and review it properly before you accept the offer. Furthermore, your obligation is to deliver the agreed work based on what you have decided upon by submitting your output professionally and on time.If, however, you or your client wants to end both your contracts immediately. Respectfully communicate and finish your contract in good faith, and always use the Upwork platform to do so. This helps to keep up a good image and presents a reputable opinion about you and your work ethic.
Where And How Can You Join Or Apply To Their Job Openings?
Upwork has its own job board where you can send proposals using Upwork's very own "connects". These are like tokens that enable you to interact with your potential client; they are expendable, so you need to be cautious who you send your proposals to, or else you may buy upwork connects using your own money.
Before you can send your applications, you need to first make an account with complete and legitimate details if you have none; moreover, you should have it verified with your complete details to show your legitimacy. Please avoid making fake and misleading information about yourself, i.e., your background and expertise; this will only damage your reputation and lead to undesirable reviews from your potential employers.
A gentle reminder is to be very attentive to the offered job post and read the requirements and the instructions very carefully. Not only that, you may waste your "connects" if you don't understand what is required; it will also show that you are not qualified to do the job; therefore, it becomes a wasted opportunity. If presented with an instruction, please read it properly and respond correspondingly.
As an aspiring Virtual Assistant, applying attentiveness, strong reading comprehension, and excellent communication makes all the difference between being ignored and being recognized.
Should You Consider Upwork?
Yes, it is an amazing platform with decades of experience in handling remote work for both virtual assistants and companies alike. Like many established companies, they have the ability and the support to assist you whenever you have trouble or disputes using their platform. Adding to this, as you adhere to Upwork policies, their payment security is well recognized throughout the industry, providing you with smooth and secure transactions. Job opportunities are still present within the platform, considering that there are many challenges and intrigues of many kinds.
Upwork is still a good choice for both beginners and experienced online freelancers to pursue their online work, as well as expand their skills and clientele through the platform.
What Are The Reviews (What People Say)?
Here are some of the reviews that may be of help for you to make a more informed decision about Upwork. These are based on their thoughts, experiences, and challenges about the platform.
- Users highly suggest having your profile well optimized and focusing on becoming a problem solver and solution-oriented virtual assistant on Upwork. Avoid a typical Filipino worker mindset of a master-servant relationship; instead, act like a business partner who is proactive, cooperative, and self-initiated to build a long-lasting partnership. Foreign employers, like those on Upwork, tend to favor this kind of behavior and mentality.
- Use your Upwork connects wisely, and send proposals where you think your skills and talents are best suited. Read and check carefully about the job posts, whether they are legit or a scam, to avoid wasting your "connects. People make mistakes when sending a bunch of proposals, which leads nowhere; you may end up spending real money to buy new Upwork connects.
- Upwork is an overly saturated place for Filipino freelancers. Job seekers often notice the difficulty in landing a contract because the platform itself is filled with plenty of Virtual Assistants from different parts of the world. Filipinos are dealing with such heavy competition against other nationalities, more so, others are offering a ridiculous salary rate that employers find tempting to accept.
- Be "professional" from start to finish in dealing with your potential clients. What do you mean by being professional? Read and understand (comprehend) everything about the job posts. Also, be sure to follow the instructions as indicated, communicate or respond clearly and to the point, and, lastly, present yourself physically as an interested and knowledgeable business partner. Most of your clientele are small or start-up businesses looking to grow their businesses and build a long-term professional relationship with you. Upwork is a platform built for businesses and professionals. It is best to remember that professionalism still applies to both your interactions and applications if you want to get hired and keep your work long-term.
- Unpleasant employers are persistent and unpredictable on the platform. There are plenty of statements about these kinds of employers on Upwork. Be aware that there are impatient, rude, toxic, manipulative, and abusive bosses. Philippine local businesses with their managers/bosses, some have these kinds of traits, but you can escalate it to the management when needed. However, in the world of freelancing, you have nowhere to escalate things unless the business is big enough to have a dedicated human resources department. It is highly advisable not to be desperate but critical/logical before you accept a job offer, as it may heavily affect your mental and emotional health. It is best to know what your boss wants and demands in a work environment, and the boundaries that both should apply.
Conclusion
Upwork is still a good choice for Filipinos, both aspiring and current freelancers. It may be challenging if you are looking for a stable/permanent job, as the contract will depend on its necessity. Still, if you want to build a competitive portfolio for future reference and outstanding testimonials, this platform is for you. Furthermore, if your goal is payment security, among other things, Upwork surely delivers with the protection and assurance it provides.
Despite the benefits and challenges of the Upwork platform, it is still worth it. Consider including it in the list of platforms where you can explore your talents, expand your reach, and engage potential clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Do I need to pay to use Upwork?
- A: No, Upwork is completely free.
- Q: Is it easy for beginners to get hired on Upwork?
- A: No, it still requires that you have the knowledge and common sense in dealing with your potential clients to land a contract.
- Q: Is night shift always the norm in working using Upwork?
- A: It depends; your work shift depends on where your client is located. Also, some clients offer flexible time instead of fixed work hours.
- Q: Is it best to attend VA classes before starting on Upwork?
- A: It depends. If you think that you are confident in your selected niche, then there is no need for any training; instead, improve it to gain additional knowledge and advantage. However, if you lack the know-how of virtual assistance, then it may be best for your case to attend a VA class. You can also try free resources on YouTube or Facebook to start learning about Virtual Assistants.
Thank you for reading! We have a lot more in store for you. You may check our next article or check out our listings for more Virtual Assistant companies that might interest you. We also have Help Guides that may help you advance through your freelancing journey.
Disclaimer: Please verify with each agency or company for the most updated rates and application process. Please note that Varceo is not in any way affiliated or connected with these companies.