This article outlines the Rising Talent badge eligibility on Upwork, as well as the criteria for earning the badge, such as maintaining a complete profile, adhering to Upwork's Terms of Service, and receiving positive client feedback. It also explains reasons why you might lose the badge, including poor feedback or attempting to bypass our payment system. The badge is awarded by invitation only, and not all who qualify will receive it. - AI helped create this summary
Note:
The Rising Talent badge is available by invitation only. If you're invited, the badge will be added to your profile automatically.
We want to help you enjoy success as soon as possible, so we created the Rising Talent badge to spotlight some of the top new freelancers on Upwork.
A Rising Talent badge may help you get started more quickly, grow your client base, and establish your reputation on Upwork.
Benefits
If you’re awarded the Rising Talent badge, we’ll display it on your profile, proposals, and Project Catalog projects. You'll also get the following benefits:
- A one-time bonus of 30 free Connects
- Ability to offer consultations to share expertise with clients
Important:
Once you have enough work history on Upwork, we will also add your Job Success Score (JSS). Once you earn a Job Success Score, you can start working toward Top Rated status.
Become Rising Talent
The Rising Talent badge is available by invitation only and highlights professionals who have shown great potential, both on and off Upwork. These individuals typically have strong backgrounds in their fields, demonstrated by their work histories and early success with Upwork clients. Rising Talent agencies are new to the marketplace, and are either founded by Top Rated professionals or backed by impressive industry experience.
If you qualify to become Rising Talent, we'll email you to let you know the badge has been added to your profile. You won't need to take any action. You may keep the badge as long as you remain eligible, but it’s possible to lose the badge in the process of earning a Top Rated badge.
Criteria
We award this badge based on the criteria listed, plus the quality of your profile. This includes your profile description, skills, portfolio, education, work history, and the category of your work.
To be eligible for a Rising Talent badge, you must:
- Complete projects on time and as promised to clients
- Maintain a 100% complete profile with accurate skills and genuine work
- Keep your availability status updated
- Regularly submit proposals to projects that match your skill set
- Adhere to the Upwork Terms of Service
- Submitted a proposal in the past 90 days or were hired more than 30 days ago
- Have a JSS of at least 90%, if you've earned a JSS (you can earn a Rising Talent badge before you have a JSS)
- Have no holds on your account during the past 90 days
- Be invited by Upwork
In addition, agencies must also have:
- 2 or more team members, including agency owner
- Maintain a 100% complete agency profile
- Maintain a 100% complete agency owner profile
- Maintain a 60% or higher average profile completeness across the agency
Remember, many factors contribute to a Rising Talent badge. This includes client feedback, the overall strength of your profile, prior experience and skills, your educational background, and the opportunities that are available in the market. Even professionals who have yet to complete any Upwork projects can become Rising Talent if they have certified skills that are in demand.
Note: If you direct or accept payments outside of our payment system, or repeatedly communicate off Upwork before a contract is in place, you'll lose your Rising Talent, Top Rated, or Top Rated Plus badge. You won’t be eligible to earn them again for a period of six months.
You can protect your reputation and standing on Upwork by adhering to our Terms of Service. Learn more about Circumvention and why it’s against the rules here.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few reasons you may lose your Rising Talent badge:
- You receive poor public or private feedback from a client. We can’t tell you more about the feedback, like who may have left poor private feedback. Learn more about approaching clients about feedback.
- There is a hold on your account
- You've attempted to move payments off Upwork or repeatedly communicated with a client outside of Upwork before a contract was started
- If you’re working toward a Top Rated badge, you may notice your Rising Talent badge is removed, despite keeping a high Job Success Score (JSS). Don’t worry, as long as your JSS remains high, you’re on track to earning a Top Rated badge.
Unfortunately no. Rising Talent is for freelancers who are starting out and have not had negative reviews. However, you can still earn a Top Rated badge if your future jobs are successful and get good reviews from clients.
The Rising Talent badge may not be added, even if you meet all the qualifications. This badge is invite-only based on the criteria, your profile, and other factors including your work category. We’ll add it to your profile if you’re selected and no action is required from you.