Abstract: In a services exchange medium, buyers are able to search and hire service providers to get projects done quickly and cost effectively. A buyer-provider matching algorithm uses two scores to calculate a “Provider Search” score for each service provider: a “Reputation” score and a “Provider Match” score. In some embodiments, the “Reputation” score is a quantitative metric score of a service provider's overall reputation within the services exchange medium. In other embodiments, the “Reputation” score is configured to enhance the “Provider Match” score. Since reputation is an important attribute when searching for a qualified service provider, the “Provider Search” score takes into consideration the “Reputation” score. A provider results list generated from a provider search is sorted by the “Provider Search” score. As such, the provider results list is sorted in a significant manner useful to the buyer searching for the qualified service provider.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a classification engine that classifies freelancers in one of a plurality of categories. The classification engine captures data to perform a first classification evaluation of each engaged freelancer. The first classification evaluation is used to drive different levels of onboarding to ensure appropriate onboarding tasks are completed for each engaged freelancer before the freelancer starts work for a client. Depending on the level of onboarding, the classification engine either uses the first classification evaluation to make a determination regarding the classification of the freelancer or captures additional data to perform a second classification evaluation to make the determination. The classification engine eliminates delays, manual workarounds and helps scale work with enterprise clients.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an onboarding dashboard and methods and system thereof for transitioning candidates into welcomed and engaged workers. In an online services exchange medium, clients find and hire freelancer candidates “on demand” to get projects done quickly and cost effectively. A client is able to use the onboarding dashboard to configure onboarding tasks for each individual or group of candidates the client hires. The candidates, once engaged with the client, are able use the onboarding dashboard to view the onboarding tasks established for them by the client. The onboarding dashboard provides complete visibility of the onboarding progress to both the client and the candidates, enforcement of step dependencies and management of documents.

Abstract: An online professional profile includes static data commonly found in a print resume and dynamically generated information. The static data includes skills and credentials. The dynamically generated information includes a portfolio of completed work products uploaded by a service provider, feedback provided by an at least one past buyer, and an interactive window configured to display an image, a video clip, and/or an audio clip. The online professional profile has a Contact Me button configured to provide communication with the service provider. A potential buyer is able to review the online professional profile and make an instant, informed hiring decision.

Abstract: A method of and a system for ranking users by activity level and achievements within the services exchange medium (SEM) enables better searching for a service provider. An activity score for each service provider is periodically determined. The activity score is based on a point scheme. The point scheme, which is tunable, drives particular behaviors within the SEM by rewarding points for a first set of activities and taking away points for a second set of activities. Upon receiving a query, a total score, which is dependent at least in part on the activity score, is calculated. The results list is sorted based on the total score.

Abstract: A method of and system for ranking users by reputation enables better searching for a service provider. Service providers are also forced to conform to reputation requirements since they are published. The reputation requirements include reviews, earnings, duration on a site, recent visits and other components that are able to establish a user's reputation. The components are also weighted so that more important factors count more towards a user's reputation. By combining a search score and a reputation score, a total score is determined which is used to generate a list of results ordered based on the total score.