The Beginner's Guide to Landing Clients on Toptal"

Afzaal Blog

 


Let’s be honest.
 When I first heard of Toptal, I thought it was a fancy shampoo brand. Turns out, it’s a premium freelance platform where companies pay top dollar for smart people like you and me.

But here’s the catch…
 It’s not easy to get in.

Still, I did it.
 And if I can, you can too.

This post is my simple step-by-step guide. No confusing words. No boring lectures. Just what you need to know if you want to land clients on Toptal.

Step 1: What is Toptal Anyway?

Toptal is short for “Top Talent.”
 It’s a website where companies find the top 3% of freelancers in the world. You can work in:

  • Software development
  • Design
  • Finance
  • Product management
  • And more!

And the best part?
 You get paid well. Weekly.

Step 2: How to Apply (Without Freaking Out)

Toptal has a 4-step application.
 Yes, it’s hard. But here’s how I handled it:

  1. Apply Online
     Fill out your profile. Be honest. Don’t say you’re an expert in 100 things. Pick your best skill.
  2. Language and Personality Test
     They want to know if you can talk like a human. Not a robot. Be clear. Be friendly.
  3. Live Screen Interview
     This part scared me. But it wasn’t bad. Just one person asking me to solve a problem live. I practiced before.
  4. Test Project
     They give you a task to finish. It’s like real work. It takes time. But if you do it well, you’re in.

Step 3: Building Your Toptal Profile

Once you’re accepted (high five!), you need a strong profile.
 This is what clients see first. Make sure to:

  • Use a smiling photo (not your passport pic)
  • Write a friendly intro
  • Show your best work
  • Mention your skills (the real ones)

Think of your profile like a dating app, but for work.
 You want people to swipe right.

Step 4: How I Got My First Client

Here’s the truth: I didn’t wait.

Toptal has a job board. I checked it every morning, like checking if my crush texted me.

One day, I saw a project that fit me perfectly.

I clicked “Apply.”
 Wrote a short message.
 Told them how I could help.
 Kept it simple. No big words. No long paragraphs.

Guess what?

They hired me.
 And I did my happy dance.

Step 5: What Clients Look For

Clients don’t care if you have 10 degrees.
 They want someone who:

  • Communicates well
  • Meets deadlines
  • Solves problems
  • Is easy to work with

If you do those 4 things, you’ll get more clients.
 That’s what worked for me.

Step 6: Tips I Wish Someone Told Me Earlier

Here are a few things that helped me (and will help you):

  • Be patient. Some people get a job in 1 week. Others take 1 month
  • Be polite in interviews. Don’t try to sound too smart.
  • Keep learning. Toptal loves people who grow.
  • Say “I don’t know” if you don’t know. Clients respect honesty.

Step 7: Getting Paid

Toptal pays on time. Every week.
 No chasing. No stress.
 You just finish your work, log your hours, and get paid.

I call it “freelancer heaven.”

Final Thoughts

When I started, I had no idea how to get into Toptal.
 I was scared. I thought I wasn’t good enough.

But I took it one step at a time.

Now, I work with awesome clients. From home.
 And yes, I still wear pajamas sometimes.

If you want to build a freelance life with real money and freedom, Toptal is a great place to start.

Just remember: You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.

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