As a Virtual Assistant Never Fake Your Identity on oDesk

by Virtual Assistant
(June 29, 2012.)

© wolfgangfoto

Recently I have referred oDesk to one of my friends who is looking after an online job. Today he called me up half-heartedly and said that he wanted to change his profile photo with a beautiful girl’s photo.

First I laughed a lot at him that what he is up to and then he told me that girls usually get jobs easily. He also showed me some profiles where male freelancers are using beautiful girl’s photos and most of these girls are actually models and TV actresses.

And you know what? He was quite right. It was also shocked to see someone is using a fake profile photo to get the job and he is also getting jobs at very high rates. Obviously employers in US and Europe are not familiar with most of the Asian names and actresses.

Being an honest virtual assistant and freelance worker, I raised this matter to oDesk support and thankfully I got a pretty positive response from their side. According to oDesk support staff it’s recommended (not mandatory) to verify your identity as a provider. So if at some stage somebody reports your profile to oDesk as fake profile, oDesk will ask you to verify your identity.

You need to provide some personal information proofs such as your national identity card’s scanned copy along with any of your utility bill or your bank statement’s header. Odesk personally verifies the provided document within 3-4 business days.

Failing to verify your identity not only leads to a ban of your oDesk account, but oDesk can also block your funds forever.

So, dear all virtual assistants!

Do not try such immoral and dishonest methods to get jobs. You can be successful for the time being, but in the long run chances are high that you will get your account banned and your freelancing career can easily be ruined by your just one bad deed.

Also I request from all employers to only hire contractors which are duly verified by oDesk.

Comments for As a Virtual Assistant Never Fake Your Identity On Odesk

I was pretty surprised to read that this tactic is put to practice more than once. Personally I have hired more gentleman than ladies as providers on oDesk. This has nothing to do with gender.

Simply I think more male applicants have showcased their skills and had hire chances to get hired.

From the ladies I have hired, I have to admit that I did not look too much at the exterior. If a picture of a lady was too perfect, I was suspicious. I did not think of people having used the pictures of Asian actresses although it is now obvious to me.

I only thought that the picture was too far away from reality to be taken seriously.

Nevertheless no matter how you look. Try to make your profile picture friendly. Either look professional like wearing a suite and looking skillful or have a smile and look friendly.

My virtual assistant had sunglasses on and that is one of the reasons why he stood out in my point of view when I initially hired him. Now don’t go all putting on sunglasses now. But you understand what I mean.

Be yourself.

Look natural and approachable and then let your skills, portfolio and feedback do the talking.

Aug 08, 2012never fake your identity
by: wolfgangfoto

interesting article and ideas
compliments
and
thank you for the honor to show my picture

Aug 08, 2012Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂
by: Francis

Dear wolfgangfoto,

thanks for sharing your picture and being so nice to leave us a comment about it! Glad that you like the article, feel free to browse around the website!

Mar 14, 2014This is sad
by: Andrea

It’s so sad that some freelancers think it’s ok to fool employers online. It gives everyone else a bad name.

But it’s great that there are still people like you who value honesty. We need more of that. Both online and offline. 😀

Jun 05, 2014Face factor
by: Jomvie

It’s the face factor after all! Actually, based on my experience, most employers prefer to hire girl VAs rather than boys. It’s probably because most women are organized or it’s just that the employer wants to have an inspiration everyday.