Earning Employers' Confidence

Nothing matters more to an online career than trust.


Trust is the most important element of online work. oDesk was created so that people could collaborate more transparently and more reliably across great distances, with people they may never meet face to face. Trust is the most important element of successful long-term relationships and a thriving career -- and building it is up to you.
Every interaction, whether with a longtime employer or a prospective new client, either raises her trust in you or lowers it. We've posted eight tips on our blog for building trust when you apply for a job, while doing the work, and after you've finished. Here are some highlights:

• Be honest about your skills. Everyone can claim to be a "_____ Rockstar", but if you overpromise and don’t deliver, you'll never get a chance to demonstrate your real potential.
• Keep promises. Nothing's more important than meeting deadlines, being available for communication at agreed times, and delivering the quality you said you would.
• Admit your mistakes and fix them. If the employer isn't happy with your work, go above and beyond to secure her approval.