Thread: How I Became A Freelancer

It all started in 2008 year end, there was hue and cry of recession. World and Indian market collapsed. Reputed companies started sacking employees. During that period I was a victim of recession, my company politely handed me over a notice of termination. I had no place in the world, where I could try my luck and make a living.

Though the job openings were minimal, I started applying but didn’t get any response. Then I turn towards this famous term on internet How to make money online or such stuff. I googled day and night, explored thousands of sites, most of the sites were scam. Didn’t know what to do, I was running short of funds, couldn’t oversee responsibilities. One fine day, on some blogspot site, I came across a genuine site by name odesk dot com. The best site for Freelancers. Guaranteed work and Guaranteed payment. You can build a team, hire providers and work as a provider. I registered myself as a provider, put all my efforts to show my skills and created a healthy profile. Took some odesk tests where I could apply for the jobs. Based on the job you are applying on odesk, give your best bid.

As a beginner didn’t get much response, since most of the buyers look for odesk experience and good feedback from other buyers. After two weeks got an interview, well that I was my first interview and the buyer was impressed and offered me the trial job for a week. That one week gave me chance to prove my skills and since then I never looked back. Once I was assigned to do a task, I had to use odesk software to log my timesheet. The time logged in the timesheet is the time agreed between me and the buyer on daily/weekly limit. Based on these worked hours payments are made weekly. The odesk software takes a snapshot of PC screen and posts in the work diary, where the buyer can monitor my assignments. I have the option to delete a particular screenshot which I don’t want the buyer to see, but within that work week period only.

If you are working on hourly basis, payments are made on each Wednesday. There are 5 payment sources from which I can chose the payment method. But being Indian, I opted for Moneybookers. Sometime back paypal was the best option to receive money but now there are some restrictions. I registered in moneybookers dot com, provided all the details, my home address, bank details and swift code of bank. Once in a month I transfer my odesk dollars to moneybookers account, instantly the money goes to moneybookers account converted into Indian rupees with the best exchange rates. Then I chose my registered Indian Bank account to receive money thru monebookers in India. Voila! within 2-3 days the money was in my bank account.

Now al most two years since recession. I have never thought of working anywhere else. Odesk is the best place for me to work, show my skills and make money. I am sure, numerous Indian freelancers are working on odesk. I always refer my friends to become a freelancer. Be your own boss. Work from home.

I know that Odesk is one of the best sites out there for the freelancers. Thanks for sharing your experiences. It's worth a rep.

This thread has been barred from contest because tauseef insulted a senior member of the forum.