How To Get Your First Job At Upwork? (2025 Guide)

Getting your first job on Upwork can feel like a challenge, especially if you’re just starting out on the platform. After all, Upwork is no longer beginner-friendly. Still, it is one of the largest freelancing marketplaces, which attracts freelancers across the world to trade their skills.

The opportunities are endless, but new freelancers often struggle to land that crucial first contract. Many give up after weeks or months of applying without success. Personally, I thought I’d never land a client on Upwork, but I did. But not without weeks of persistence in optimizing my profile, sending proposals, and applying to jobs strategically.

This guide offers insights and strategies to help you land your first job on Upwork.

What is Upwork?

Upwork is a freelance marketplace that connects potential clients to freelancers with digital skills. The platform serves as a virtual meeting place for clients seeking talented professionals to complete specific tasks, projects, or ongoing work.

• Clients post their projects on Upwork, outlining the scope, budget, and required skills. 
• Freelancers‌ create profiles showcasing their expertise, work history, and portfolio.

Upwork uses a bidding system for freelancers. As a freelancer, you send proposals to potential clients showcasing your skills and portfolio using Upwork Connects. Connects are digital tokens created by Upwork for freelancers to use when bidding for jobs.

Upwork stands out as a freelancing platform because of its unique service pattern. To make freelancing easy, they have incorporated communication features, time tracking, and a secure payment system in their platform. Also, through their algorithms, Upwork recommends freelancers for jobs that match their skills and experience.

5 Steps to Getting Your First Job on Upwork

To get a job on Upwork, you’ll need to create a freelancer account. Then, you need to set up your portfolio, hourly rate, and learn how to pitch for jobs. I would say that writing proposals is one of the most important skills for a beginner.

Here are a few tips to get your first job on Upwork. I applied them and rose from a newbie Upworker to one making $100,000+ as an SEO content writer.  

1.  Create and optimize your Upwork profile

You need a profile that impresses clients and demonstrates your ability to solve their problems. Here’s how to create one.

Use a concise job title

Your job titles should be straight to the point and not too fancy. Avoid glorifying titles like “Expert”, “Proficient”, “Outstanding,” etc. They are unoriginal, and you’re left with the huge task of living up to those claims.

Instead, complement your job title with relevant keywords that help you stand out. For example, “Fullstack Developer | React | Python” describes an software developer who uses React and Python to build software.

Write an overview that will get you hired

Your profile overview is like the About page of a website. It gives clients a detailed description of what you offer. So pay attention when writing your profile description. Make use of keywords that are necessary to your skill set and job title. 

One mistake I observe is freelancers listing their skills, certs, and qualifications from the start. Don’t do that. Instead, highlight the benefits of hiring you. Let potential clients know the problem that you’re great at solving.

Use of keywords in your Profile title

Sprinkle keywords on your profile title, but make it natural. It helps your profile to show up when clients are searching for specific services. For example, “SaaS writing” is a keyword I want to target.

Use a professional profile photo

Use a professional headshot of yourself that projects confidence, friendliness, and trustworthiness. Some reminders:

• Avoid overly retouched pictures.
• Do not use the pictures of anyone other than yourself. 
• Avoid using AI-enhanced pictures.

List relevant skills 

Pick at least fifteen skills for your general profile. Choose the ones that are relevant to your portfolio, job title, and skill set. 

Freelancers whose skills match the “desired skills” set by clients have a higher chance of being hired.

Create a compelling portfolio

As a beginner, your surest way to prove that you are qualified for a job is to include samples of your previous work that show the quality of your expertise. 

Over the years, Upwork has improved the Portfolio gallery and made it more presentable. Take advantage of this and choose excellent pieces in your area of specialization. For example, I added recent works I did for my clients to the portfolio.

List your certifications

Include your certifications that are related to your skills. Upwork allows only two external certifications. You may include others through Credly.

Credly is a software application that manages verified digital certifications. It allows its users to create and share digital badges upon completing a training program. 

Include your employment history and education

To build credibility, include your educational background and employment history. If you do not have an employment history, you can input your volunteer services and internships. When I started, I added my experiences in the engineering industry, and other writing jobs I took as a newbie writer.

Set hourly rates that fit your experience level and skills

A high hourly rate may discourage potential clients, while a low rate may attract the wrong kind of clients. 

So, what’s the best rate to set?

Instead of guesswork, use this approach.

1. Google ‘[job title] hourly rate Upwork‘.
2. Click the result from Upwork.
3. Look at the bell curve distribution.

Most Upworkers set their rate between the minimum and maximum limits.

Learn more about earning potentials at Upwork in this article.

Get endorsements from previous employers and colleague

Testimonials from your former employers, colleagues, and mentors go a long way in boosting your profile. 

Send a message to them and encourage them to leave a positive testimonial for you. Upwork approves testimonials that are honest, coherent, and not generic.

Include a video introduction of yourself

Adding a video adds a human touch that might engage clients browsing your profile. To do that:

1. Record a video of yourself and publish it to YouTube.
2. Share your skills, experience, or past projects.
3. Then, submit the link to Upwork for approval.

2.  Search for jobs strategically

Clients post thousands of gigs every day on Upwork. However, the competition for these jobs among freelancers on Upwork is tough. Every niche is saturated. If you apply for jobs randomly, you’ll use up Connects with very few results to show. Instead, follow what I did when I started on Upwork.

Apply to small/low-paying jobs that few want to do

Apply for small or low-paying verified jobs with fewer applicants. These are jobs with budgets of $5 – $50. They may not be worth the pay, but getting one quickens the process of verification.

Your first few jobs are meant to get you positive reviews. This way, you can gradually build a strong profile that lands you better-paying clients.

Use the filters on Upwork

By using the filters, you can apply for new and genuine jobs with less competition. It is better to apply for jobs with fewer proposals as it increases your chance of getting hired.

To filter jobs on Upwork:

1. Type the specific keyword in the Find Work option.
2. Select the appropriate filters on the left.
3. Review the job opportunities to find one that increases your chance of getting hired.

Be wary of scams

There is a period where Upwork was plagued by scammers. Although I’m seeing fewer scam jobs on the platform, it helps to be cautious. Otherwise, you might get cheated out of your money.

These tips can help you freelance safely on Upwork.

• Do not apply for jobs that promise unreasonably high payments for simple tasks.
• Do not accept a client’s request to take a job off Upwork. Clients who wish to take the contract out of Upwork must pay a conversion fee.
• Do not pay for a job. Any job that requires you to make a financial commitment before proceeding is a scam.  
• Do not start working for a client until your client offers a contract.

Learn more about spotting and avoiding Upwork scams here.

3. Send personalized proposals 

To get your first job on Upwork, you need to send proposals. Like it or not, there’s no way to get around it. A good proposal combines human psychology with basic copywriting and persuasive skills. This means convincing the client that you’re the right candidate for the job.

It may look easy, but sending proposals on Upwork is a bit different from the normal job applications you know. Your proposal needs to be unique and outstanding to get the client’s attention.

These tips help you write a proposal that will help you get a job on Upwork.

Send personalized proposals for each job.

Most clients skip generic proposals. They give the impression that you don’t spend time understanding their requirements. Therefore, avoid copy and paste templates.

Instead, spend time studying the job description before you craft a proposal. Also, try to address your potential clients by their names if possible.

Hint: Some freelancers mentioned the client’s name when leaving feedback. You can find them in the client’s review.

Keep the proposal short, simple, and straightforward

Clients don’t have the time to read through a lengthy proposal. So, follow these steps to keep yours concise. 

• Capture the client’s attention with a ‘hook’ or strong opening.
• Briefly state what you do or how your skills can help solve the client’s problem.
• List relevant past works or results.
• (Optional) Tell the client briefly how you intend to solve their problem.
• End with a call to action, such as ‘Let’s chat’.

I share more details about writing effective Upwork proposals here.

Include relevant past works/portfolios

Your past works show the client that you’ve done similar projects and will likely succeed in their tasks. For example, if you’re applying for a logo design job, adding several logos that you’ve done gives the client an idea of your style and approach.

Download my FREE eBook to learn how to write winning Upwork proposals

4. Prepare for interview/discussion

If you’ve been consistent with the steps above, a client will eventually reach out to discuss the project. The way you communicate during the discussion is crucial because it influences the client’s hiring decision.

Even after spending 10+ years on Upwork, I still treat the initial discussion professionally. And here are what you can do to increase hiring chances.

• Maintain confidence and casual professionalism. Demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the job.
• Clearly outline your approach to the project and explain how you plan to deliver results and meet deadlines. Be prepared to discuss project timelines, milestones, and payment terms.
• Communicate your rates and job description clearly to prevent miscommunication after the project starts.
• Ask questions about the project and your client’s expectations. It shows that you are proactive and interested in delivering the best results.

Remember to keep all communication on Upwork before, during, and after the contract.  

5. Accept the contract

Congrats, you’ve won the job.

When you’re offered a contract, check if the payment is the same as the agreed fee, especially if it is a fixed-rate work with milestones. The amount in the Escrow account should be the amount you agreed on per milestone.

After validating the details, accept the contract offer. You will get a message that your contract has started.

Now, your actual work begins. To ensure that you deliver on your first job, keep these in mind.

• Ensure that the work aligns with your client’s expectations and meets the project requirements. If in doubt, ask questions.
• Maintain regular communication with your client and be willing to make revisions that are within the agreed limits.
• Be mindful of deadlines. Communicate if you need additional time to complete the job.

Clients are more impressed when freelancers submit deliverables earlier. This way, they have more time to review, offer suggestions, and make corrections.

Conclusion

Landing your first job on Upwork isn’t easy, but doable. It all comes down to optimizing your profile, identifying jobs that beginners are more likely to land and crafting an effective proposal. The steps I shared cover how to do that. Still, for some freelancers, Upwork might prove too challenging, or they don’t have the time or resources to commit. In thiat case, use the principles I share and try them on some of these beginner-friendly freelancing platfoms.

FAQ

How long does it take to get a job? 

As a new freelancer on Upwork, there is no guaranteed time frame for getting a job. You may get a job within the first few days, after a few weeks, or even a few months. However, applying the tips I shared consistently can improve your chances of winning a job.

How many proposals should you send?

Your proposal is the first way to establish communication with a potential client. It’s best to send as many as you can until you get a job. Some Upworkers send 5 proposals and expect to land a client. In most cases, you might need to send more than 10 before landing your first job.

Can you get jobs on Upwork without Connects? 

Yes. It is possible to get a job without Connects. This happens when you get a direct invitation from a client to send a proposal. 

(This post is updated on 6th September, 2025 for comprehensiveness and relevance).