Each company is as different as each High-Flyer is; so there is no “magic formula” that works for every bid. To help increase the chances that a prospective client will seriously consider your proposal, here are some things we suggest you practice:

- Read the project description thoroughly.

- Take the time to go through the project description. If the company feels that you do not understand the project enough, you may not make the shortlist.

- Research the company.

- Make sure you understand what the company does, and make that clear in your proposal. Try to align your skills and experiences with what the company needs for its freelance job. Relate your experience and interests with the company or the project.

- Keep your answers clear, concise, and relevant.

Make it short but meaty. This is your moment to shine and stand out from the rest! You want to make it clear why this project interests you, and why the company should choose you. If you have relevant experience, be specific. Include concrete information e.g. talk about a relevant project you've done in the past. What was your responsibility, what were the goals, what was the result? Try to quantify as much as you can.

- Be competitive with your pricing. Being competitive does not mean bidding low (after all, you do have a minimum hourly rate of EUR 20). If you are relatively new to freelancing, you may need to establish a reputation first. But if your work is truly above average, price it properly. Companies are often willing to pay for quality.

- Do not oversell yourself, but don't undervalue yourself either. Self-confidence is a good thing, but over-the-top claims are not likely to impress anyone. Being honest about your skills will get you much further than a lot of hype. However, don't undervalue yourself either. You often have a lot more experience, skills, and knowledge than you give yourself credit for.

- Relate yourself to the company. Make it a point to mention any skills or experiences that could add value to you as a candidate to sweeten the deal. Another important bit is to focus on how you add value to the company. Try and view yourself from the lens of the company and do not mention why you like the job or how it fits within your ambitions.

- Proofread your answers before you submit them. No matter what kind of freelance job you are bidding on, a poorly-written proposal suggests a lack of attention to detail and poor work habits, neither of which is going to work in your favor.

- Short and snappy is the name of the game - don't make it an essay! Keep it to the point and highlight anything relevant that could strengthen your position. After submitting your proposal, we encourage you to respond promptly when the company invites you to an interview. If you've been awarded the project, make sure you continue to respond/communicate in a timely manner.