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Frequently Asked Questions (Contractors)
Frequently Asked Questions (Contractors)

FAQs for finding freelance work through the Overpass marketplace

Garrett Williams avatar
Written by Garrett Williams
Updated over a month ago

⚠️This FAQ is for contractors: users looking to find jobs through Overpass. ⚠️

If you are looking to use Overpass to hire remote help, please see
Frequently Asked Questions (Clients).


Table of Contents / Quick Links:


Overpass 101 - What's This All About?

What is Overpass?

Overpass is an online marketplace and payment platform for freelance contractors. Business owners and managers ("clients") use Overpass to interview, hire, and pay freelancers with experience in phone sales and/or phone support work.

Am I qualified to work through Overpass?

To work through our marketplace, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. You are fluent in English.

  2. You meet our requirements for work experience:

    1. At least 2 years of experience in a phone sales role

      - or -

    2. At least 4 years of experience in a phone support role.

  3. You have a computer, a reliable internet connection, and a quiet place to work.

Are all Overpass jobs work-from-home roles?

Yes, all positions available through our platform are 100% remote.

Do contractors need to live in the U.S.?

No, Overpass works with contractors from all over the world. However, the majority of our clients are based in North America, and are typically looking for workers with availability during business hours in the U.S.

Do all contractors need to speak English?

Yes, all contractors must speak fluent English. If you’re multilingual, that’s great; we do get requests for freelancers who are fluent in multiple languages.

I don't have experience, but I'm a quick learner! Do you offer entry-level jobs?

No. Our clients are only looking to hire contractors who have previously worked spent at least two years doing phone sales work, or alternately, at least four years in a phone support role. We only accept applicants who meet our requirements, and approval is at the discretion of our Talent Advocate team.

How do I get started?

To create a profile in our system, first enter your email address here, then click Start Working. You'll then complete your profile; being sure to complete all required elements on the checklist. Once your profile is completed, you'll see an option to submit your profile to our Talent team for review.

Please allow 2-5 business days for this review process, after which we'll contact you by email to discuss next steps. If you have not received an email update after 5 business days, please check your spam/junk folders for @overpass.com.


Getting Approved & Getting Hired

When will my profile be approved?

Once your profile has been completed, our Talent team will review your submission, and respond via email within 3-5 business days. (If it's been longer than a week, check in with us at help@overpass.com.)

You'll have a quick review with one of our Talent Advocates to help improve your profile. After that, you'll participate in one of our online training sessions (we host them twice every week), and then you'll be approved. Once your profile is approved, we'll begin promoting you to our clients, and you can begin applying for jobs.

Once my profile is approved, how quickly will I be hired?

Our team works to help contractors find jobs as quickly as possible. However, please remember that Overpass is a competitive marketplace, not a job placement service. We cannot guarantee that you will find work within any certain time period, or at all.


Do you offer full-time jobs?

Our marketplace contains both full-time and part-time roles.


Is the work schedule flexible?

When you create your profile, you can specify your own daily and weekly availability. You can change your availability as needed, and you are never obligated to accept a contract that doesn’t work with your schedule. However, once you do accept a contract, you are expected to adhere to a set weekly schedule.


What kinds of clients hire Overpass contractors?

The clients in our marketplace are generally medium-sized businesses from a variety of industries. We work with insurance agencies, medical equipment suppliers, digital marketing agencies, staffing agencies, cleaning companies, real estate agents, political campaigns, non-profits, and more.

How can I improve my chances of getting hired?

First, apply to lots of positions, not just one or two. Be sure that your profile looks professional: use complete sentences, correct spelling, and a photo in which your face is clearly visible. Your voice recording should sound friendly, upbeat, and natural. When you are approached for an interview, be friendly and communicative with the client. Remember that we have hundreds of freelancers in the system, so if you are difficult to reach or unresponsive, the client will move on.


Contracts & Working

How long do contracts last?

Freelance contracts are always offered on an ongoing basis, with no set end date. Both clients and contractors may choose to end a contract at any time.

Can I work multiple jobs through Overpass?

In general, you may work for multiple clients, provided that the schedules do not overlap. For example, you might work for one client in the mornings, and a different client in the afternoons; or you work for one client during the week, and another on weekends.

Please note that once you have accepted a contract, you will not be able to apply to any other jobs for a 60-day period. Once those initial 60 days have passed, if you have additional availability in your week, you may apply for a second role.

What if I receive a job offer that I don’t want?

You’re never obligated to accept a contract, so if the hours or pay aren’t what you’re looking for, you may decline without penalty. But after you accept an offer, we do expect you to make your best attempt to fulfill the terms you agreed to. If you fail to show up for work, we will remove you from the platform.


Can I negotiate the terms of a contract?

Yes. If you're interested in a position but would like to discuss the rate or schedule further, you may contact the client to negotiate, using the Overpass Message Center page.


What is the day-to-day work like?

Every company in our marketplace will have slightly different expectations, responsibilities and goals. However, most jobs in the Overpass marketplace involve making outbound sales calls to an existing list of potential customers, or fielding inbound calls in a support role. Some clients may ask you to perform additional tasks, such as sending emails, receiving inbound calls, or performing research.


Do I need any additional software?

Your client will provide you with any additional software necessary to complete your daily work. We do recommend downloading the Google Chrome browser for best results.

Any tips for success that you can share?

Good communication with your client is key. Especially at the beginning of your contract, make sure both you and the client are clear about what form of messaging you will primarily use (email, text, Whatsapp, etc.), and how often they expect you to check in. Clear and frequent communication helps everyone feel supported and connected.


Payment & Compensation

Does it cost anything to use Overpass?

No, there are no fees for contractors to use our site.

How much do Overpass jobs pay?

As a contractor, you can specify your own hourly rate. Remember that Overpass is a competitive marketplace, however, so if your rate is too high, you’ll be passed over in favor of more affordable options. Our Talent Advocate team will suggest a starting rate based on your skills and background, and you can always raise your rate as you gain experience in the platform.

Is payment hourly or commission-based?

All jobs on our platform have a base hourly rate; some companies also choose to offer commissions or bonuses. We do not permit commission-only jobs.

How often will I be paid?

Once you’re working for a client, you will be paid weekly. We process payments every Thursday afternoon, U.S. Eastern time. Please be aware that depending on your payment method, you may not receive the compensation immediately. Overpass cannot control how quickly the transfer happens once the funds have left our account.

How will I be paid?

We have two payment methods available for contractors: PayPal and bank transfer.
Click here to learn more about receiving compensation.

Are there any fees or surcharges to be aware of?

Overpass does not apply any fees to your hourly rate. However, please note that whether you are using PayPal or bank transfer, there will be some third-party fees applied to your weekly payment. These fees are beyond our control, and will vary based on your location and exchange rate.

Does Overpass take out taxes or provide tax forms?

As a contractor, your specific tax requirements will depend on your location and your citizenship status.

For All U.S. and European Union Citizens/Residents:

Upon creating your Overpass account, you’ll be asked to complete form W-9 or W-8BEN, depending on your citizenship and residency, which is found by clicking Payment Settings on your Profile page. At the end of the calendar year, all contractors who performed valid work through Overpass will be emailed either form 1099 or 1042 for tax purposes.

For All Non-U.S./E.U. Residents:

You are not expected to complete any tax forms, and will also not receive any documentation from us. You are able to view a summary of your yearly earnings through Overpass (by clicking Payment Settings on your Profile page) and that amount should be reported as additional income. Your specific obligations will depend on the total amount of money you make, as well as the tax code in your area, so please consult with a local tax professional if you have additional questions about this process.


Equipment & Requirements

What do I need to get started?

To work in the Overpass platform, you will need all of the following:

  1. At least two full years of previous experience in relevant phone-based sales work

  2. A desktop or laptop computer

  3. A headset (or headphones with a built-in microphone)

  4. A reliable internet connection

  5. A quiet place to work

Do I need a certain type of computer?

No, any reasonably modern PC or Mac computer is fine. Because our service is browser-based, your local internet connection is a bigger factor in performance than the computer itself.

What browser should I use?

We recommend using Google Chrome for best results.

What type of headset do I need?

Any basic headset model is fine, as long as you can hear clearly and it’s comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time. If you need a recommendation, we’ve found MPow headsets to be affordable and reliable.

Is there anything else I should know about equipment?

Your internet speed doesn’t need to be especially fast, but it does need to be consistent -- intermittent service may lead to issue with loading or audio performance.


More questions about what it's like to be an Overpass contractor? Let's talk!
Email us at help@overpass.com, or message us through our live-chat channel.


Updated October 2024

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