How to Win Contracts on Freelance Job Boards

There can be nothing more infuriating than losing out on a good gig without having any clue what the other person did better. There are dozens of good freelance and contract job boards scattered about the Internet, but no matter how good you or the board is, it won't mean anything if you don't stand out from all the other eager freelancers.

The two main places that you have the freedom to separate yourself from the crowd are your profile and your replies to the job posting. Using both of these features to their fullest will set you far ahead of countless other freelancers who do not put the time or the effort into their job hunts.

Your Profile:

1) Listing your Skills:

This isn't supposed to be a course in advanced SEO (search engine optimization); your profile is supposed to showcase your abilities and convince the employer to choose you over other qualified applicants. With each skill that you mention, give practical examples of work you have done in the area, as well as a brief description of what proficiency in thatskill means to you.

2) Attracting the Right Employers:

What type of employer would you like to work with? Formal, casual, or somewhere in between? Think about the kind of employer you'd like to attract, and reflect this preference in your profile. A small trendy design firm would contrast greatly in tone to a large corporate consulting company. Since you can't appeal to everyone, focus your profile on the type of employer you'd most like to work with.

3) Adding Your Personal Voice:

No matter which type of employer you are targeting with your profile, you'll want to add a bit of style to it. Don't be afraid to show that you have personality, but stay within the bounds of professionalism

Replying to Job Posts:

1) Why you?: