Trust and Safety
Working Smarter and Staying Safe: Tips for Students
Make a great profile
Your profile is the first impression that future clients will see. Use this to your advantage by showcasing your professional background, skills, and unique qualities. Make sure you have an up-to-date, professional, good-quality profile picture.
PRO TIP: Include in your bio that you are willing to offer references to capture the attention of prospective employers.
Review all gig details before you apply
Take the time to carefully review each gig listing before you apply or respond to clients who reach out to you. If anything seems unclear, don't hesitate to ask questions. Clients will appreciate your interest, and once they receive your application, it opens up an opportunity for further conversation.
If a gig listing seems too good to be true, such as offering an unusually high hourly rate, it's important to be cautious. Please report any suspicious accounts or gig posts to our support team so we can help!
Prepare for your gig interview
Prepare for the interview process by carefully considering the tasks and duties you're comfortable with beforehand. If you find that a client is requesting too much during the interview, it could be a sign to explore other opportunities. Interviews may take place over the phone, in a public setting, or at the client's home. Make sure to confirm with the client which one you are the most comfortable with, and if a proposed interview location doesn't feel right to you, suggest an alternative meeting place.
For the initial in-person introduction, we strongly advise our users to meet over the phone or in a public location.
Stay safe on the gig
Before you start a new gig, you can definitely tell your friends and family all about it. Be sure to share where you’ll be working, what your hours are like, and how they can get in touch with you should anything come up. Remember the list of boundaries you made before your interview? Keep them in mind. Stick to your limits. If a client asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, politely remind them of the discussion you had during your interview.
Once you’re hired, keep an eye on the relationship
Once you've started working with the client, it's crucial to stay alert for any concerning behaviors, like frequently changing the agreed-upon hourly rates or gig location. Occasionally, a gig might not be the right fit, and that's completely okay! Our support team is here to offer assistance and guidance. If you encounter any of these unfavorable changes, please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know!
Trust and Safety FAQ - Students
Why do I need to complete a background check?
How does Colledge verify clients?
Should I ever accept payment off site?
