Stacie Jansen van Vuren

I've had the same very negative experience with Contra as some others. The site was great when I first joined, and I was so hopeful that it would be worth the time and energy I put into creating a full profile on Contra. Sadly, shortly after I joined and put in several days of my time to immerse myself in the site, they changed the format and way of working. The number one reason why I joined Contra was because it didn't charge money, credits, tokens, or anything else to apply for the projects listed. This is a very significant feature that most freelancers consider, especially when joining a new site and not yet knowing if it will bring in any income. Now, this feature has been removed. In order to even view the projects listed, one needs to be accepted to the "Invite Only" Contra Job Network. This involves having to create a video of your portfolio (which is already on their site?!) and submit an application. This video has to be done using Loom (makes one wonder if they are taking kickbacks from Loom?!) and they take MONTHS to provide feedback on whether you've been accepted. I waited almost 3 months to receive a response and was rejected without reason or feedback or any indication of why. As a full-time, professional freelancer with over a decade of experience, I cannot imagine why my application would be rejected unless the criteria used are less than ethical. I've tried previously to discuss this with the Contra team; however, the entire company seems to float on an unrealistic cloud of toxic positivity and no one there will even consider a less-than-glowing word about the company. This can clearly be seen in the less than professional emails, full of false peppiness and absolutely littered with emojis that give them a childish, tacky, and blase vibe. The recent enormous changes to how the site works feel like a very underhanded, calculated, and manipulative move with underlying motives that are not ethical, professional, or trustworthy. And the abundance of very clearly fake positive reviews here, and elsewhere, only serve to reinforce the feeling that this company is unclean. I would no longer recommend this site to anyone and would suggest that freelancers looking for projects steer well clear of Contra.