Odeak Review
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Detailed Odesk Review

Outsourcing has always been a struggle for me since starting my business online.  In fact, I feel that almost every mastermind group that I belong to  discusses the infamous "outsourcing" topic on a regular basis. 

In the past, I have used eLance and Rent-a-Code rather exclusively.  Both have lots of people ready to do your work and my experience has been rather hit and miss.  Both are good company, though. 

But a few month ago, I was recommended ODesk and now it is the first place I go for any new outsourcing task. 

Just like the eLance and Rent-A-Coder, it does not cost anything to join ODesk.  You can go there, create an account and start browsing around. 

One thing I first really like about ODesk is the amount of preliminary information about the candidates that it provides to you.

First, you get the feedback, with comments, for past jobs they have performed (the past and current job titles are listed, too!).  Secondly, many of them opt to take proficiency tests in certain catagories.  I find these rather helpful, especially in assessing things like English skills when hiring overseas. Additional information like hours worked, skills and location are also listed (much like eLance and Rent-a-Coder).

Still, I find the pre-interview process very detailed.  From here, you can request further information from the applicant in the form of an interview.  Hiring from this point is as easy as a click of a button. 

From here, the second most important part about why I like Odesk comes into play:  Odesk's built-in Project Management System.  Here, you will be able to not only communicate effectively with your employee, but you will be able to monitor WHAT they are doing!

Simply click into your team member's work diary and see actual random snapshots of what they are doing.  They system even evaluates the number of clicks and mouse movements they make (green bar above).  This way, you KNOW that the time they are charging matches up with actually doing YOUR work (not checking email...or "other things!").

Team members must first log into their account to activate this feature, which also acts as a work clock.  Payments are automatically made at the end of the week, too. 

And be sure to not only review these logs, but use the simple communication features to pass information and documents.  This is something that eLance and Rent-A-Coder lacks: a Project Management Interface.  You will find jobs are easier to manage with project management software (versus standard email communication, which tends to "get lost" or in "junk folders"...I've seen that excuse a number of times!).  Documenting all communication in this way will protect you if any conflict does occur. 

A few notes of caution, though.  First, the credit card validation process can take a few days.  Get that going ASAP!  The hoops are kind of annoying, but they do it primarily to protect you.  Once it is set-up, you will not need to do it again.

Second, if you are a freelancer looking to GET jobs from Odesk, remember that you need to set up your computer to handle their monitoring system.  It is rather simple, though.  The check and balances of Odesk make it seem scary to be a provider, but as long as you are doing your job, this should be a non-factor.

In conclusion, I am a big supporter of Odesk and use them first for a lot of my outsourcing tasks.  The bids I receive are usually scattered from $2/hour overseas to $100/hour locally.  You will get a large array of responses.  Interview and choose carefully.  And still, I sometimes don't find those "skills" that I need from Odesk, and go back to eLance or Rent-A-Coder (or even a Virtual Assistant company).  So don't ignore those entirely. 

Remember that posting is free in all of these places.  Your goal is to find the best person for the job for the best price. 

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