As someone who has taken the first steps towards being an independent support worker on the Mable platform, you’ve become somewhat familiar with what needs to be included in your profile.

Potential clients are trying to make a decision on who to reach out to for support, and they need to base their decision on a wide range of criteria. Not only are they looking for someone to provide particular services, but they’re looking for ‘the whole package’, a person who suits them, not just a service provider.

To give yourself the best chance of success, invest a little time completing your support worker profile. It’s also important to revisit it regularly to ensure all your information is up-to-date. Let’s take a closer look at your profile.

Prime real estate – your opportunity to market yourself

When potential clients try to find support workers they like, they browse the profiles. Your profile is your prime opportunity to market yourself, so you want it to be as appealing as possible to your ideal client type. It’s your chance to tell your story in your words, and build connections with clients to grow your business.

Why write a detailed profile? If your profile is incomplete or short, you risk clients overlooking your profile in favour of workers providing detailed information. You also may receive messages from unsuitable clients contacting you because the information is unclear. The time you spend building your profile saves you time in the longer term on Mable.

Check all the appropriate boxes for best search results

When you fill out your profile, Mable provides you with criteria to allow clients to refine their searches for suitable workers. Criteria include specific interests, qualifications, availability, cultural backgrounds and more.

Why are refined search results so important? If your profile is more general and less specific, other support workers who have ticked their boxes will appear more prominently in search results, and you may miss out on potential clients.

Take the time to fully complete your profile

All sections must be completed, references supplied, qualifications and other credentials uploaded, and a Police Check provided. You also need a photo, a bio, a list of your availability and services, and your geographical location.

Why complete my profile? To become an independent support worker on the Mable platform, your profile has to be approved by Mable or it won’t be made visible to clients.

Give some thought to how you present yourself

Personality is also important when it comes to your Mable profile. This is a ‘people business’ and, if faced with four different workers who offer the same services for a client, the choice may come down to which person they feel a better fit with. You want your profile to reflect who you are and the professional you are.

How do I infuse my profile with my personality? Start with a clear photo of yourself, smiling and professionally dressed. Use your About section to outline your personality, your interests, why you chose support work, what languages you speak, whether you have pets and more.

Be clear on your rates and availability

Rates and availability are two big determining factors when clients are looking for a support worker. If you’re unsure how much to charge, look around at others who offer similar things to what you do. Your availability may change around your lifestyle and family, such as during school holidays or if you suddenly can’t work the same hours for a little while.

Can I change these details myself when I need to? Yes – and we recommend you do so. It’s smart to log into your profile at least once a month to ensure everything is up-to-date.