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Toptal is full of BS on their screening process. I am a freelancer on Upwork for 10+ years now (at that time they were oDesk) and a few years ago I applied at T

Toptal is full of BS on their screening process. I am a freelancer on Upwork for 10+ years now (at that time they were oDesk) and a few years ago I applied at Toptal, out of curiosity. The experience of the screening process where they asked to do free work on a project, disguised as a throwaway test, except the specifics of the test was too much inline with those of a ongoing project made me decline it. Also I mentioned I was already a successful freelancer of Upwork and gave them my profile there to see for themselves meant nothing to them. My impression is they use their screening process to get projects done. As for you, good for you that you made it there, but it's definitely not a freelancing platform.

Kokoloko22 7y ago
That's factually incorrect, but I am sorry that you've found it bothersome. I don't see how you being part of a different platform, makes any difference to them. It's like saying "Hey, I interviewed at Facebook - so everyone has to immediately hire me". It is a freelancing platform and there are thousands of freelancers in their community, I'd suggest attending one of their events where you could meet & greet them, and talk about their experiences. As far as I can tell, they find it valuable to be part of it, so much that they dedicate their own time to spread the news, and work on Toptal's recognition. The process is very similar to the interview processes at companies like Google, Facebook, Palantir etc. Yeah, you're expected to do a project, as did every individual that made it through the screening process. I really don't see how, with so many years of experience, you could possibly claim that they have hundreds of people (weekly) complete their clients projects? For free? And,they've done it for years? Seems ludicrous to me mate.
- unnouinceput 7y ago
  Their screening process is to make sure that creme de la creme is hired, right? Me, as a successful freelancer with verifiable track means I am already that. So is like saying "hey, I worked at Facebook, not just simply interviewed, and here is a verifiable record that I did good work there, so let's skip the BS, shall we?". That was my point with them giving them my Upwork profile
  - maccck 7y ago
    That still doesn't make a lot of sense. So, you're essentially saying that the next time you apply to join a company (say Google), you should not go through whatever interview process they have because you worked at Facebook, and they should take your word for it? So you should not be going through whatever tests they subject their applicants?
    - unnouinceput 7y ago
      Not take my word for it, do you even understand what giving a link to your profile on Upwork means? You can see what they worked on, how much they charged for and most importantly what was the feedback the client did. And I am not talking about jobs with 200/300 USD range pay, I am talking about jobs with thousand of hours and tens of thousand of dollars as payment with more then six months of continuous commitment to them AND at the end of those jobs my clients praised me while giving me 5 stars. That's what I meant with verifiable track.

Kokoloko22 7y ago

That's factually incorrect, but I am sorry that you've found it bothersome. I don't see how you being part of a different platform, makes any difference to them. It's like saying "Hey, I interviewed at Facebook - so everyone has to immediately hire me". It is a freelancing platform and there are thousands of freelancers in their community, I'd suggest attending one of their events where you could meet & greet them, and talk about their experiences. As far as I can tell, they find it valuable to be part of it, so much that they dedicate their own time to spread the news, and work on Toptal's recognition. The process is very similar to the interview processes at companies like Google, Facebook, Palantir etc. Yeah, you're expected to do a project, as did every individual that made it through the screening process. I really don't see how, with so many years of experience, you could possibly claim that they have hundreds of people (weekly) complete their clients projects? For free? And,they've done it for years? Seems ludicrous to me mate.

unnouinceput 7y ago
Their screening process is to make sure that creme de la creme is hired, right? Me, as a successful freelancer with verifiable track means I am already that. So is like saying "hey, I worked at Facebook, not just simply interviewed, and here is a verifiable record that I did good work there, so let's skip the BS, shall we?". That was my point with them giving them my Upwork profile
- maccck 7y ago
  That still doesn't make a lot of sense. So, you're essentially saying that the next time you apply to join a company (say Google), you should not go through whatever interview process they have because you worked at Facebook, and they should take your word for it? So you should not be going through whatever tests they subject their applicants?
  - unnouinceput 7y ago
    Not take my word for it, do you even understand what giving a link to your profile on Upwork means? You can see what they worked on, how much they charged for and most importantly what was the feedback the client did. And I am not talking about jobs with 200/300 USD range pay, I am talking about jobs with thousand of hours and tens of thousand of dollars as payment with more then six months of continuous commitment to them AND at the end of those jobs my clients praised me while giving me 5 stars. That's what I meant with verifiable track.