Though Texas Hold 'Em is all the rage, I am still fond of sitting around the kitchen table with a tall glass of milk and plum pierogies, playing a mean game of Go Fish.
I was queen of Go Fish for a good two years when I was eight and nine. My winning strategy? I lied. When Grandma asked if I had any twos, I squinted my eyes and pretended to scrutinize my cards before I brazenly shouted, "Nope, GO FISH!" Now, though I do not recommend lying to anyone, I do suggest that when you click to view a new project you employ a sense of shrewdness to determine what it is you are being asked for and whether or not you want to give it.
While reviewing projects there are typically two types of work sample requests we come across. The first is clearly for samples of previous work, to which many Freelancers will gladly direct the Employer to their online portfolios. (Easily located and managed under the Work Samples section of your profiles!)
The second is usually for samples for the project posted. This type of request further falls into one of two categories: a request for free work or an audition.
We do not accept projects that request free work from the Freelancer. See Guru.com's policy on mock-ups.
There are some skill categories that don't lend themselves to portfolios; therefore the Employer must rely on alternative ways to assess a Freelancer's abilities.
You are auditioning if:
- You are a telemarketer, and a company sends you a script then asks you to call them back to read it;
- You are a transcriptionist who is asked to take an online test;
- You are a programmer who is asked how they might tackle a certain bug problem in a script.
Freelancers in fields that have exhaustive portfolio options need to be aware of when they are not being asked for proof of the quality of work they can deliver, but rather to provide a free mock up.
You are providing free work if:
- You are a graphic designer asked to send a sample of a logo for a company;
- You are a writer and the project requires all bidders to submit a sample article such as the ones the Employer is seeking to publish;
- You are a website designer and an Employer asks you to send a mock-up of their proposed website.
Once an Employer has accepted your bid, you and the Employer can hash out how many mock-ups, samples or drafts they want and you are willing to provide. Whatever terms you agree upon, should be included in your Project Agreement as well.
These are merely guidelines to help ensure that you don't end up working hard for nothing. However, if you ever feel uncomfortable with a request or uncertain as to the outcome, we highly recommend that you pass on the project and move onto the next one. And the Employer who is looking for free work, can Go Fish! |