The root of the problem is that you uploaded an image of your face on Upwork. Somebody discovering how to use your own data against you, is just a matter of time.
Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
181–190 of 208 posts
Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
#182Earlier quoted context omitted.
I very seldom feel inclined to refuse , but I even more seldom feel comfortable on camera. Which is to say in most circumstances I avoid being on camera when I can. I’ve been remote most of my career, nothing changed the last few years to introduce new stressors around this. I just don’t like being on video, or interacting with other people on video. It gives me a firm but unspecific sense of unease is unlikely to be…
I think if you're introducing yourself to people who'd like to hire you and haven't met you, it is normal etiquette to appear on camera. There is still a level of body language conveyed, even if it's just your face. I think we all get not wanting to be on camera for every meeting, but surely it makes sense to present yourself on camera for the initial interview if you're able?
This implies that body language is accurate and useful which is not always the case. I'd argue that many who legitimately don't wish to be on camera have very good reasons for this. I do not enjoy being on camera or even talking on the phone. I also have ADHD which makes it very difficult to just sit still and listen/watch an AV feed for a significant period of time even if I know that what is occurring on that feed is very important. My brain literally doesn't care what my mind thinks/knows it's going to do what it wants/needs to do which is fidget, search for sources of stimulation, and in general do all kinds of things considered "rude" to do when having a conversation or attending a meeting. Nevermind that I'm absolutely still paying attention, but I can't JUST pay attention. A lot of this hesitation to appear on camera in situations like mine isn't because I don't actually like being on camera, I don't care, but the negative reactions me being on camera can cause because someone doesn't know me and my specific uh... "issues" means that I just prefer not do so if possible.
Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
#183Earlier quoted context omitted.
There have been good A/B studies showing significant changes in response rate to resumes with and without photos. How someone looks doesn't seem like it should be correlated with their ability to draw a picture or choose a search algorithm.
We’re not talking unconscious bias silliness here. We’re talking about literal fraud/misrepresentation and needing verification that someone is who they claim to be. Using our eyebulbs isn’t inherently problematic.
"unconscious bias silliness" so you're telling me that an interviewer is just as likely to hire someone who has visible issues sitting still/focusing on a video call as they are someone who sits perfectly still and gives their full 100% attention to the call? No, not a chance. When there are two candidates for a position at approximately equal skill levels when performing a video interview but one has ADHD that comes along with the inability to remain solely focused on one small screen and voice for an extended period of time you can guess which candidate is going to be picked the vast majority of the time. Dismissing such a huge issue as silliness is exactly the reason why many people who have issues similar to that do not want to perform video calls for interviews.
Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
#184Earlier quoted context omitted.
If they had a problem with me, I am sure that my performance would be complained about by now.
A person is more than the job they do. I'll take the honest less-capable person over the shyster top performer any day.
Very rational. I wouldn't hire me either.
Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
Let me give you a new perspective. You get to see your dying father for just one week as that is all the vacation time you have left and you cannot just walk away from your job due to house/kids/etc. Happened to a friend. Father had 6 months to live. He got 1 week with him in that time. Pile of cash lets you walk away. How horrible will that make you feel to not get to spend that time with him? My employer, who I wil…
Since you mentioned taking time off, how does that work for you with three jobs? I would do the same as you if oprimozimg for income. But I tend to optimize for free time rather than income. So I take 4-5 months of PTO a year at one "full time" job which takes ~15 hours/week. (TC > $400k)
Happily trade my situation for yours. Very nice setup.
I have generous vacation at all jobs and at a prior job, I just quit to go on vacation after lining up another job to start in a few weeks, so booking the same time off everywhere is easy.
I am an unimportant rank and file developer.
Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
#186Earlier quoted context omitted.
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People like you is why I gatekeep candidates off my security team. Everyone that I hire is vetted and vouched for by someone.
A past employer of mine said this and accepted me vouching for a lot of people. Referral bonuses skew incentives there though...
However, you care as a manager. What I am doing works best with managers who do not care.
Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
#187Earlier quoted context omitted.
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So you do not mind committing a fraud. Not sure how this is different from any other crime.
It’s only fraud if you sign a contract that states their job is your only form of employment and that you are working 8 hrs a day for them.
Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
#188Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
#189Just wanted chime in with second a second anecdote that I was going to post. We needed a Django developer. Put an ad on Upwork at the high end of the recommended salary range. The ad specified US Eligible worker for legal reasons. Of the 10 or so applicants, seven flat out refused to appear on webcam so I decided to talk to the eighth. This person claim to be in Seattle. Having lived there I asked them two relatively…
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Curious what you put on LinkedIn. Do you list all 3?
Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem
#19099% of the work offers I receive on Upwork are fake/spam/"contact me outside of this website" kind of deals.