Getting a Project
What happens after you complete onboarding, and what to expect when you're matched with a project.
After onboarding
Once you've signed your contract through Deel, connected your Discord account your onboarding is complete. You're now an active member of the SME Careers network and eligible to be matched with projects.
No further action is required from you at this stage. Our team will reach out by email when a project that fits your profile becomes available.
There is no fixed timeline for matching. Project availability is driven by client demand, which fluctuates. You may be matched quickly if a suitable project is active, or it may take longer. We're unable to provide individual estimates or guarantee that a specific project will become available. Once you're in the network, you stay there, we'll contact you when the right opportunity comes up.
How matching works
We match contributors to projects based on a combination of factors from your profile and interview results. This includes but is not limited to:
- Domain expertise: your professional background, qualifications, and skills
- Languages: your language skills and proficiency level
- Education: your degree level and field of study
- Location: some projects have country or timezone requirements
- Interview performance : your scores from the AI interview and any exams you completed
If information was extracted incorrectly from your resume, or if your situation has changed since you applied, contact [email protected] to get it updated.
The project offer email
When you're matched, you'll receive an email at the address on your SME Careers account. The email will outline the details of the project opportunity, which typically includes:
- Information about the work and what's expected of you
- Pay rate and timeline
- Whether a short bootcamp or project-specific assessment is required before you begin
- Any other project-specific requirements or next steps The contents vary from project to project, so read the email carefully — it's your primary source of information for that opportunity.
Check your spam folder. Project match emails can occasionally land in spam or promotions. Add [email protected] to your contacts to make sure you don't miss it.
Accepting a project
To accept a project offer, reply to the match email confirming you want to proceed. Someone from our team will follow up with further instructions.
If you need a few days to consider before responding, that's fine, but try to reply promptly, as project spots can be filled quickly.
If you're not able to take on the project at that time, reply to let us know. Declining an offer does not remove you from the network you'll remain in the pool and we'll reach out again when another suitable opportunity arises.
Multiple projects
It is possible to work on more than one project at a time. If you're already on a project and we think your profile is a good fit for another, we'll reach out with a separate offer. Each project will have its own rate, weekly hour cap, and expectations.
Frequently asked questions
I completed onboarding a while ago and haven't heard anything. What should I do? There's nothing you need to do, no news means we don't yet have a project that matches your profile. You're still in the network and we'll contact you when something suitable comes up. There's no need to follow up, but if you have concerns about your account status you're welcome to reach out to [email protected].
Can I apply for specific projects myself? Project matching is handled by our team based on your profile. If you see a role listed on the dashboard that interests you, you can complete an AI interview for it to signal your interest and get assessed for that specific role.
My profile details have changed since I applied. Does that affect matching? Yes, matching is based on your profile, so it's worth keeping it accurate. Contact [email protected] if you need to update your skills, availability, or other details.
What if I miss the project offer email? Reply to the email as soon as you see it and let us know you're still interested. We can't guarantee the spot will still be available, but we'll do our best to accommodate you.