Why Is It So Hard to Get a Job on Upwork Today? | 3 Key Reasons Upwork Is Becoming an Opportunist

In a monetization shift, talent takes a backseat.

In recent years, it has become immensely difficult to land any freelance projects or jobs in Upwork, one of the world's most popular work marketplaces connecting businesses with independent talent globally. Many people are struggling to find gigs, which has led to financial stress for those whose livelihoods depended on Upwork (including me who once garnered a prosperous career through Upwork).

Upwork is basically an oxygen for freelancers. It’s the most trusted platform for seamlessly discovering interest-driven gigs. Upwork has protected freelancers from exploitation by sycophantic bosses, fraudulent work cultures, and default financial transactions. Therefore, Upwork has turned out to be a strong helping hand for millions of independent talent worldwide, who struggled to fully unlock their potential.

However, freelancing is a risky bid. While you might earn $500 in a month, relying solely on freelancing could leave you jobless for the entire year. But as Mark Zuckerberg wisely said, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” — Mark Zuckerberg.

Moreover, Freelancing offers flexibility—you can do it alongside a 9-hour shift job or turn it into a full-time venture. It’s all up to you! Whether you crave flexible hours, global connections, extra income, or creative freedom, freelancing has plenty of perks.

I secured my first freelance ghostwriting project with no prior experience and minimal skills, ultimately earning $10,000 within a month. This happened in 2021 when I discovered Upwork during my 11th standard. Amidst the gloomy lockdown era, while studying commerce math, my soul screamed to channel my talent for reading books into something more. For a confused yet determined young girl to get experience in handling projects and learning professionalism was made possible only by Upwork. It is like a gateway for novice freelancers to kickstart their career roadway.

But why is it so impossible to find jobs in upwork now? As you continue reading the article, you'll likely realize that the problem is not with you, it is with Upwork.

1. Buying Connects to Apply: Unfair & Unjust for Small to Medium Freelancers

When you open your Upwork to find a job, you come across that perfect gig—one that aligns with your skills and aspirations. With all the hopes you craft the best cover letter you've ever written. But just as you are about to hit the "send proposal" button, one evil option hovers above the button that takes away all the hopes gleaming in your eyes: "Connects". Ever heard of it? It has become the most annoying thing in Upwork. Freelancers have to expend a certain number of Connects to submit proposals. The average number of Connects it takes to apply for a job now is between 12-16. In the past, it was a mere 2 to 6.

Why is it so unfair?

Because, at the start of each monthly billing cycle, freelancers are given only 20 free Connects. That leaves us with submitting only 1 proposal a month. However, this won't affect high-rating freelancers or those who can afford to buy connects. For small to medium-level freelancers like me, this is a complete disincentive. Indeed, it exemplifies the Opportunist tendency of Upwork. Though Purchasing Connects is an investment, it comes at the cost of exorbitant prices and no guarantee of landing a gig.

2. The Dark Side of Bidding: When Talent Takes a Backseat

Earlier, when you applied for any job, Upwork would decide by its algorithm the top 4 freelancers based on the suitability of your skills and experience for that job role. But now Upwork has launched a new feature called "Boosting" or "Bidding". Now the client is shown the top 4 applied freelancers based on the Connects they bid on that job. If you don't have buying power, you can't purchase those Connects only to apply to just 5-6 jobs per month.

By limiting free Connects while allowing high-rating freelancers or those who can purchase Connects to continue submitting proposals, the platform appears to prioritize its own financial gain over providing equal opportunities for all users.

This shows how a platform that was once renowned for providing freelancers with free, fair, and lucrative opportunities to connect with clients worldwide has now adopted opportunistic practices in this ruthless competitive market.

3. Platform Saturation: Standing Out Amid Heavy Competition

Even platforms like LinkedIn are now extremely saturated, becoming overcrowded with users, job listings, and competition. With a large user base, maintaining quality control becomes difficult. Sorting through excessive listings and connections can be overwhelming, making it challenging to find relevant opportunities.

Therefore, relying on any job platform has become exhausting and lost its convenience and feasibility. Consistent with this thought, it's now important to contemplate even more innovative and new solutions altogether because of the continuous technological advancement and increased human capital.

Maybe this article will spark new ideas in the minds of budding entrepreneurs.