My first Upwork proposal got rejected.
So did my second. Third. Fourth.
After rejection number 15, I wanted to quit.
I had skills. I could write. I had samples. My profile looked okay. But nobody was hiring me.
I was looking at jobs and thinking the same thing you probably are right now: "How am I supposed to get experience if nobody will give me a chance?"
Then I realized something. The problem wasn't that I had no experience. The problem was I was applying like everyone else. Generic proposals. Hoping someone would pick me.
When I changed my approach, things changed fast. My 16th proposal got a response. My 20th got accepted. First job paid me ₦35,000.
That's what I want to share with you. Not some fantasy about getting hired on your first try. Not promises that Upwork is easy. But the actual strategy that works for Nigerian beginners with zero reviews.
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| A freelancer checking an online payment after completing work for a client. |
The Real Question: Do You Have a Skill or Just Hope?
Let me be straight with you.
Upwork won't hire you. Clients will. But clients only hire people who can solve their problem.
So the first question isn't "How do I get an Upwork job?" It's "Do I actually have something people will pay for?"
There's a big difference between "I think I can do this" and "I have proof I can do this."
I started as a writer. Not because I had a degree in journalism. Not because I'd published articles. But because I could write clear sentences. I understood grammar. I could meet deadlines.
That's a skill.
Some beginner-friendly freelance skills you can offer on Upwork include:
✓ Content Writing – There will be strong competition, but choosing a clear niche will help you target more relevant jobs.
✓ Social Media Management – Small businesses need this badly. Repeat work available.
✓ Virtual Assistance – Data entry, email, scheduling. Easy to learn if detail-oriented.
✓ Graphic Design – Tools such as Canva will help beginners practice and create simple designs, although professional design requires more than knowing the software.
✓ Video Editing – YouTube creators constantly hire. Good pay if you're decent.
Pick one. Not five. One.
Trying to offer everything makes you look unfocused. Pick one skill and own it.
Before You Apply: Build Proof No One Else Has
This is what separates beginners who get hired from beginners who don't.
Beginners who fail think: "I'll apply first, learn on the job."
Beginners who succeed think: "I'll practice first, then apply."
When I started, I wrote five sample articles. Not for money. Just to show what I could do. Topics: business in Nigeria, freelancing, cryptocurrency.
I put those five articles in my portfolio. They weren't for real clients. But they looked professional. They showed my style. They proved I could write clearly.
That's all I had when I got my first job.
Here's what you can create based on your skill:
If you're a writer: Write 3-5 sample articles. About topics in your niche. Put them online or in your portfolio.
If you're a designer: Create 5 logos or social media designs. Make them for fake companies if needed. Shows your style.
If you're a virtual assistant: Build a sample spreadsheet. Create a 30-day content calendar. Make a research document. Show you're organized.
If you're a video editor: Edit a friend's video. Or take a YouTube clip and edit it better. Show before/after.
This is the work that gets you hired. Not your profile. Not your bio. Your samples.
Read How to Start Freelancing With Only a Smartphone in Nigeria if you're learning from scratch.
Your Profile: Stop Telling Stories, Start Solving Problems
Clients spend maybe 20 seconds looking at your profile.
In those 20 seconds, they need to know: Can this person solve my problem?
Not: "I'm passionate about freelancing and dream of building a successful career."
That's not relevant. Nobody cares about your dreams. They care about their deadline.
Here's what actually matters on your profile:
Photo: Just a clear picture of you. At your desk, smiling. That's it.
Title: Don't write "Freelancer." Write what you do. "Content Writer for Tech Startups" gets more clicks than "I'm a Writer."
Overview (4-5 sentences): "I write blog posts for startups. Posts that rank in Google and get read. I've written many blogs articles on business, technology, and startups. I can write on deadline. Clients get clear, engaging content."
Skills section: List only skills you actually have. Don't list "Python" if you can't code. Clients can tell.
Portfolio: Your samples go here. Make sure they're your best work and relevant to what you're selling.
That's it. Simple. Direct. Problem-focused.
The Jobs You Should Apply For (Not Every Job)
This is where most beginners waste time.
You see 50 jobs listed. You apply to all 50. You get rejected from all 50.
Then you think Upwork doesn't work.
It's not Upwork. You're applying to jobs you can't win.
Here's the math: A client posting "Need experienced video editor" isn't hiring beginners. A client saying "Need someone to learn iMovie and edit YouTube clips" will hire beginners.
Look for jobs where:
- Your skill matches exactly what they want
- You have a relevant sample to show
- They're not asking for 10 years of experience
- The scope is clear and realistic
- Budget seems reasonable for the work
If you find 5 good matches, apply to those 5. Don't apply to 50 bad matches.
Quality over quantity. Always.
Proposals: Stop Talking About Yourself, Start Solving Their Problem
This is the make-or-break part.
Most beginner proposals say something like:
"Dear Client, I am a professional freelancer with excellent skills. I have read your job and I'm interested. I look forward to working with you."
Every other applicant sends the same thing. Different names, same words.
Here's a proposal that actually works:
"I see you need 5 blog posts about fitness for beginners. I've written 30+ articles about health and fitness for African audiences. I understand the angle that resonates: affordable workouts you can do at home without equipment. I'd structure each post around one exercise, include practical tips, and keep paragraphs short for easy reading. I can deliver all 5 posts within 10 days."
Notice the difference.
The second proposal shows I read their job. Understand their audience. Have relevant experience. Can deliver specifically what they want.
The formula:
Paragraph 1: Show you read the job. Mention something specific from their posting.
Paragraph 2: Explain why you can do it. "I've written X articles on this topic."
Paragraph 3: Show your approach. "Here's how I'd handle your project..."
Paragraph 4: Ask next steps. "Want to see samples? Happy to discuss the timeline."
That's it. 4 paragraphs. 100 words max. Shows you're serious.
Read How to Write Freelance Proposals That Win Clients for the full breakdown.
How Many Proposals Before Your First Job? (Be Honest)
I sent 20 before my first acceptance.
Some people get hired on their 5th. Some take 50+.
Here's what matters more than the number:
- Are your proposals improving? (Getting feedback?)
- Are you targeting the right jobs? (Not applying to everything)
- Is your profile getting views? (People seeing you but not clicking?)
- Are clients responding but not hiring? (Interview stage but no offer?)
That feedback tells you what to fix.
Most beginners quit at 5 rejections. They think "Upwork doesn't work."
The reality? Upwork rewards patience and improvement. Set a reasonable application routine, track your results and keep improving your approach. You may need several applications before finding the right client.
Your First Job: Pick Something You Won't Regret
Don't take the first job that comes. Take a job you can actually do well.
My first Upwork job was like ₦35,000 for a 2,000-word article. Not life-changing money. But perfect for me because:
- I knew I could write that article
- Deadline was realistic (2 weeks)
- Client had explained the topic clearly
- The project was set up through Upwork's payment system, so I understood the agreed terms before starting.
I didn't rush. I delivered early. Communicated clearly. Over-delivered on quality.
Client left a 5-star review. That review changed everything.
Suddenly new clients could see someone hired me and was happy. New proposals got responses faster. Within 3 months, I had 3-4 regular clients.
That first job matters because it's not just about the money. It's building proof that you deliver.
Common Beginner Mistakes (Don't Make These)
❌ Mistake 1: Applying to jobs you can't do
Job says "Need video editor with 5 years experience." You have zero experience. You apply anyway hoping they'll take a chance. Stop. Clients have dozens of qualified applicants. They won't pick the unqualified one.
❌ Mistake 2: Generic copy-paste proposals
You write one proposal. Send it to 20 jobs. Get rejected 20 times. Then wonder if Upwork works. Customize every single proposal. It takes a little more effort, but it gives the client a reason to pay attention to your application.
❌ Mistake 3: Charging ₦2,000 for a day's work
You're desperate for your first client so you quote impossibly low. You win the job. You hate doing it because it's not worth your time. You deliver bad work. Client hates it. You get a bad review. Now you're stuck with low reviews and low rates.
❌ Mistake 4: Accepting every job that comes your way
After rejection 15, someone finally hires you. So you say yes to a sketchy job with unclear requirements from a rude client. Bad move. You're now stressed. Delivering under pressure. One bad client is worse than one slow month waiting for a good client.
❌ Mistake 5: Disappearing after client asks a question
Client sends a message. You're busy. You don't respond for 2 days. Client assumes you're unreliable. Project gets cancelled. You lose the job and your review. Respond within hours. Always.
The Money Part: How You Actually Get Paid
Upwork holds payment until work is delivered and accepted on some contract type. That's protection for both sides.
As a beginner, understand the payment terms before starting work.
Then you need to move that money to a Nigerian account.
Best options for Nigerians:
- Payoneer: I use Payoneer, and it has worked well for me. Upwork supports Payoneer for eligible freelancers, and you can connect your Payoneer account to Upwork. One important thing I learned is that the name on your payment account needs to match your verified Upwork details.
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| Payoneer connects directly to Upwork. You set it up once, and every withdrawal is automatic. That's why thousands of Nigerian freelancers use it. |
- Wise: Wise is another option some freelancers consider. It uses the mid-market exchange rate as a reference for currency conversion, but the actual amount you receive depends on the transaction and fees involved.
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| Better exchange rate. No hidden fees. More money in your account. |
- Grey: Nigerian app. Instant to bank account. Growing but newer.
Set up your payment method BEFORE taking jobs. Don't scramble after earning your first ₦35,000.
Read How to Receive Payments as a Freelancer in Nigeria for step-by-step on each platform.
Red Flags: Know What to Avoid
Scammers exist on Upwork. Not many (Upwork has protection), but they're there.
Never:
- Pay someone to get a job (Upwork takes commission from the client, not you)
- Work before the contract is set up (Upwork protects you once contract is active)
- Be cautious if someone pressures you to move communication or payment outside Upwork before a contract is established.
- Accept jobs that sound too easy for too much money (If an offer seems unusually good or the client pressures you to act quickly, slow down and verify the details.)
When something feels wrong, it probably is. Trust your instinct.
For full details, read How to Avoid Freelance Scams in Nigeria.
The Real Timeline: Months, Not Days
Be realistic about this:
Week 1: Build your profile, choose your service and prepare relevant samples.
Week 2-3: Apply selectively to suitable jobs and study which proposals get views or responses.
After that: Continue improving your profile, proposals and portfolio based on what you learn.
There is no universal timeline for getting your first Upwork job. Some freelancers may find a project quickly, while others need much longer.
Bottom line,What Actually Changes Everything
It's not getting your first job.
It's getting your first great review.
A strong first review can make your profile more credible to future clients. Clients see it. They know you're reliable. They take a chance on you.
Which is why your first job is so important. Do it better than expected. Respond to every message. Meet every deadline. Make them want to hire you again.
A client who returns for more work will be especially valuable because you already understand their expectations and have an established working relationship.
📌 Read Next:
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Upwork fees, payment methods, and platform features change. What works today may be different next year. Check Upwork's current help documentation before making decisions about your account. Results vary based on skill level, niche, and how well you execute this strategy. This article shares what worked for me and other Nigerian freelancers, but there's no guarantee.