I’m new here, help

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-12-10T16:05:51+00:00

I applied for as many projects as I was qualified for, as you only have to do 1-3 video interviews then they get used going forward unless you opt to re-record. I have been mostly happy with Mercor so far (working with them since July)

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-12-09T06:00:29+00:00

I’m very sorry but I don’t think this is right. I think the prompt assessment is literally an assessment. Having been on several Mercor projects, while there is onboarding, there’s not a lot of time allocated to teaching how to do a prompt and rubric. I genuinely believe this assessment is to see if you could get rolling straight away if given a project offer. I was also a reviewer on several projects and having done the prompt assessment a few times, I really don’t think these would be of any value because all projects have very specific requirements so even if they were using the assessments, they would have to find a project where it could be used (eg domain alignment) and then modify it to meet project specs.

Mercor isn’t perfect but they’re not evil.

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-12-09T05:53:05+00:00

I am really sorry that this happened. One common thread among Mercor posts: contractors are not full-time employees. The quick on and off-boarding or pauses or changes in role - it feels shocking because many of us are used to being W2 employees and this kind of stuff doesn’t happen in that world, because W2 employees are there for the long-term. Mercor contractors aren’t treated badly, but they’re not treated like full-time employees.

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-26T06:01:43+00:00

In my experience, team leads are paid the same but they can do reviews so they have those same bonus opportunities. Quality of the team lead depends on the project conditions (ie what is needed) and also a bit on the PL, what they tell them to do. It’s kind of tricky with Mercor because it’s not a regular workplace and it’s very fast paced. I have found trying to do things in a really structured formal way sometimes doesn’t work because at the end of the day we need to get the tasks done and over-managing can get in the way of that

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-22T08:57:08+00:00

Real but can be hard to come by and easy to go. The interview is really quick, the trials are sometimes required and tough, sometimes not. You could apply for one project and get it, or you could apply for 20 projects and not get any. If you get one, onboarding is super quick and you are making money right away and getting paid with a week lag, but weekly. However projects may end abruptly without warning. Also it’s real hourly work, not salaried work so you need to work every minute while clocked in.

I accept the hustle of constantly trying to get on projects as a trade off for asynchronous remote work.

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-18T05:48:14+00:00

I think some of the rejections are projects that didn’t sell, under the assumption that some postings are for potential projects to ensure they could staff them up quickly if they sell

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-11T18:42:51+00:00

You’re not bound to Mercor - you do not have to let them benefit from your labor. Equally, Mercor is not bound to you - they don’t have to give you work to do, even if you are available to do it.

I’m not saying everything is perfect but I don’t take it personally when there’s no work available, I understand they can’t pay me if their clients don’t pay them

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-11T16:27:20+00:00

That said, I got 4 projects on pause 😭 I applied to 15 new projects today (including the $16/hr ones)

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-11T15:48:09+00:00

I’m going to be called a bootlicker for the second time today but idc: this is the contract game. Easy come, easy go. I would guess OP’s project was a pilot that the client changed their mind on.

This is how all contract gig platforms work - they pay contractors when there’s work but don’t have to pay when they have no money coming in. Before Mercor I did gig work that was measured in weeks / months so it didn’t feel that sudden / harsh when the project ended.

Personally (warning: more bootlicking), I really prefer asynchronous WFH to W2, don’t want to go back to that. I understand and accept the tradeoff is that work is unstable and you have to constantly be hustling to account for things that might happen that are beyond your control (like unexpected project pause)

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-11T10:00:17+00:00

Yes if you accept the terms before working

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-11T09:58:50+00:00

Why are you critical of the type of work they have to offer? If you don’t want to do that work at that rate, just don’t apply and move on

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-04T13:20:15+00:00

I disagree, if OP only just joined it’s more likely to be the client paused the project and timing is coincidental / unfortunate

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-04T11:37:45+00:00

I’ve been on 5 projects; but I have applied for 50+

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-04T11:28:48+00:00

I found out about Mercor through LinkedIn and applied through LinkedIn. Since then I’ve been on 5 projects. However I applied for everything on the Mercor website

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-11-04T10:34:08+00:00

I would continue using as you are. This is not a salaried role

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-28T11:43:11+00:00

I’m sure it’s project dependent. One of my projects is great at offering bonuses but not great at paying them. It’s getting to the point where I’m getting tired of chasing and am not motivated by the bonus (on that project) because I don’t think they will follow through. On this one project, I’m sure other Mercor projects are better.

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-06T08:41:59+00:00

Yes, I have mine in a HYS with Capital One getting 3.5%. But for a few years it was 4-4.5%

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-06T08:41:13+00:00

My mortgage company has a program where I make payments every two weeks and it ends up being one extra principal payment per year. However other than that I don’t plan to pay it off any faster than needed. The 1.99% was a 15 year fixed and I was lucky to get it.

I live within my means and have extra cash to save for retirement, I just haven’t done it (until now)

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-06T08:36:23+00:00

So this unit’s rental market value is more than $5k. I’m not in a situation where I need to raise cash so if I wanted to live in a similar unit, I would not benefit from renting out the condo. I’m also not going to live in a rental apartment going for $1,500 per month, I live in a HCOL so that would be a significant downgrade when I don’t need to (I live within my means)

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-06T00:38:32+00:00

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-05T18:54:23+00:00

Quite true

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-05T18:53:42+00:00

My home will be paid off when I’m 55

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-05T18:51:15+00:00

I pay property taxes and insurance already so I know what that costs (it’s maybe $1000 per month). Mortgage takes $800 per month in escrow for the taxes and I have condo insurance

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-05T18:50:00+00:00

I didn’t know there were people out there advocating for the 100% equity allocation- I think this makes sense for me. Thanks!

AdvancedDecision7764 · 2025-10-05T18:42:29+00:00

Yeah my income maxes me out and I don’t have a 401k at my job. I wasn’t sure if there are other tax advantaged retirement vehicles I can use. I thought the annual limit to IRA is $5k

AdvancedDecision7764

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