Why Did I Become An Online Freelance Worker?

It’s nearly eight years since I started working as an online freelance worker. Back then, online freelance work was something nobody knew about. In fact, I was only introduced to the industry through sheer luck. I was at home channel surfing when I came upon an interview of a lady about her job as an online freelance worker. The interview was shown on a relatively new channel, QTV. The lady was working as an SEO specialist. During the interview, she mentioned oDesk (Upwork today). She was giving all the benefits of working online, which piqued my interest. She said she can basically work anywhere in the world as long as there was an internet connection. I immediately checked the website and signed up for an account.

Upwork

First Steps

When I signed up for an account on Odesk, I actually had some grand ideas of being able to work on a beach somewhere in Palawan. If truth be told, I actually considered giving my resignation letter the day after I signed up. It was June when I signed up, and I immediately checked the website for jobs I thought I could do. I also took some of the tests on the website to build up my profile. But, all my dreams of working anywhere in the world suddenly came to a halt. I woke up to reality. 

Jobs on oDesk

After sending in one application after another, nothing seemed to happen. During this time I actually started to become pessimistic about the whole online job thing. It was on my tenth unanswered application when I started to think that an online job was not for me. None of my applications were answered. But, since I was still employed I continued to send in applications to jobs I thought I could do. In fact, I even sent applications to jobs I had no idea about. Since I was a teacher and research was part and parcel of my work, most of the jobs I applied for were research jobs. Researching about businesses, looking for contact information of companies, and even looking for quotes about relationships, I applied for all these jobs. But, none of the clients responded to my applications.

Looking for work on oDesk

First Break

My first break came in October. It was for a job that required me to research products on eBay. Since I had no idea about the job, I researched (something I was good at). It was my 40th . . . you read that right . . . my fortieth application. The client responded and gave me a simple test. Initially, I told the client that I actually had no idea on how to do the job. Lucky for me, the client was kind enough to give me the basic steps in performing the job. So, when he hired me for the job, I tried my best to do the job right. In fact, I researched more on how I can do the job better. In the end, the client was very impressed with my work that he even asked me how I was able to find the products he needed for his site. He was so impressed that he even told me that he would recommend me to anyone looking for someone to work on a similar project. After that, I was able to make my mark as an online freelance worker and it became relatively easy for me to find jobs on Odesk.

Client Feedback

Reasons for Becoming an OFW

Three years after finding my first online job, I resigned from my work as a teacher. When I resigned, I already had a 16-year teaching experience under my belt. In fact, a number of people asked me why I was resigning. While I told them that I was looking for newer opportunities, there were actually some other reasons for my decision in becoming an online freelance worker or an OFW in the Philippines.

Online Work

Less Office Politics

As an online freelance worker, you basically work on your own. It is similar to working as a contractor where you are paid on a per-project basis. In a way, you have no boss or colleagues to deal with. You do not have to deal with people who are envious of the things you are able to accomplish or how you do your work. As an online freelance worker, you only have to make sure you produce the results your clients want. You do not have to contend with a nosy co-worker who wants to know everything you are doing. You also do not have to cope with a boss who says one thing and does something else. It will not be necessary for you to walk on eggs while trying to please everyone else other than your client. You essentially do not have to deal with office politics since you are working on your own. The only person you have to please is your client. This makes things a whole lot easier.

Bossy Bosses

Time Flexibility

Another reason why I decided to become an online freelance worker is that I own my time. While many online freelance workers look for work similar to what they used to do, I look for projects that offer flexibility when it comes to my time. I wanted to work at my own pace. Due to this, many of my jobs are on a per-project basis. While this situation may have some risks, I always make sure the jobs I apply for were posted by clients with good reputations. One of the first things I look for on oDesk or Upwork is a verified client account. If the client does not have a verified account, I do not apply for the job. If in case the client invites me for a job, I immediately decline the interview. As far as I can recall, I have never applied for or accepted an interview invitation from a client who did not have a verified account.

Time Flexibility

Work Anywhere

Working online allows me to work basically anywhere with an internet connection. I have probably worked in nearly all coffee shops in the Queen City of the South. I have also worked in restaurants and bars offering free internet. While there were instances when I worked in places without internet connections, these are rare. In fact, I am currently writing this post in a restaurant at the IT Park without Wi-Fi. Working online essentially allows me to work anywhere in the world. I have also worked in co-working zones. I have worked in a beach resort. I have worked while riding a bus to a place I wanted to visit. So, online freelance work has allowed me to work just about anywhere.

Co-Working Zone

These are just three of the reasons why I became an online freelance worker. Some people also work online since it gives them the opportunity to spend time with their family while earning. Since I do not have my own family, I did not include this as one of my reasons for becoming an online freelance worker. 

What about you? What are your reasons for becoming an online freelance worker? Tell me about it on the comments section below.