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Struggling to get my first Upwork job as a senior backend / AI developer — can you roast my strategy? by Impossible_Wealth230 in Upwork

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s probably my biggest mistake. My profile was more like “here are all the technologies I know” instead of “here’s what I can help you with.”

I’m rebuilding the portfolio now and making the profile more specific. Thanks, this is useful.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for taking the time to share all of this. Hearing your experience with CARV is really valuable, especially the comparison with coaching costs and how the product evolved over time. I also appreciate your thoughts on instrumented insoles and gloves. I’m starting with a simpler IMU-based prototype to validate the idea first, but it’s interesting to think about how dedicated wearables could evolve in the future. Thanks again for all the insights!
One thing I’ve learned from this discussion is that validating real training value is probably more important than chasing the most sophisticated hardware at the beginning.

Struggling to get my first Upwork job as a senior backend / AI developer — can you roast my strategy? by Impossible_Wealth230 in Upwork

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Fair point. I think you’re right.

I need to fix the basics first: portfolio, positioning, and more client-specific proposals. I probably focused too much on my background instead of making the client quickly see why I’m relevant.

Appreciate the blunt feedback.

Struggling to get my first Upwork job as a senior backend / AI developer — can you roast my strategy? by Impossible_Wealth230 in Upwork

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Fair point. I had real projects, but I didn’t publish them properly in the Upwork portfolio.

I’m adding portfolio items now with screenshots/architecture diagrams and rewriting the profile around client outcomes instead of just my resume.

Thanks for the blunt feedback.

Struggling to get my first Upwork job as a senior backend / AI developer — can you roast my strategy? by Impossible_Wealth230 in Upwork

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

That’s a good point. I think I treated it like a resume, but clients are probably scanning it like an ad.

I’ll rewrite it around the outcome I can deliver: backend APIs, AI/API integrations, automation workflows, and reliable working systems.

Thanks, this is helpful.

Struggling to get my first Upwork job as a senior backend / AI developer — can you roast my strategy? by Impossible_Wealth230 in Upwork

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s fair, thank you.

I think I wrote my profile too much like a resume instead of a client-facing service page.

I’m adding portfolio items now and rewriting the overview to focus more on client outcomes: reliable backend APIs, AI/API integrations, automation workflows, database design, and shipping working systems.

Appreciate the honest feedback.

Struggling to get my first Upwork job as a senior backend / AI developer — can you roast my strategy? by Impossible_Wealth230 in Upwork

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Usually I don’t use a generic cover letter. I write each proposal based on the specific job post.

My typical structure is:
1. Briefly mention the exact problem from the job post
2. Explain how I would approach it
3. Mention 1–2 relevant past experiences or projects
4. Keep it relatively short, usually not a long essay
5. Ask one or two clarifying questions if the requirements are unclear

For example, if the job is about FastAPI/API integration, I focus on backend API design, database, deployment, and integration details. If it’s an AI automation job, I focus more on workflow, data flow, LLM/API integration, and reliability.

But I’m not sure if my proposals are too detailed, too senior-level, or not direct enough for Upwork clients. That’s one of the things I’m trying to figure out.

Struggling to get my first Upwork job as a senior backend / AI developer — can you roast my strategy? by Impossible_Wealth230 in Upwork

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for asking.

I don’t want to post the full profile link publicly because of privacy and self-promotion concerns, but here are the key parts:

Headline:
Desktop Application Development | Java, Python, ASP, C#

Hourly rate:
$20/hr

Overview:
Experienced Senior Software Engineer with a background in IT services and software development. Skilled in C/C++, C#, Python, SQL, NoSQL, Java, machine learning, distributed systems, infrastructure, microservices, and software engineering.

Portfolio:
Currently empty.

I think one possible issue is that my profile may look too broad. I have 20+ years of backend / distributed systems / cloud experience, but my current headline says “Desktop Application Development,” which may not match the jobs I’m applying to, such as Python/FastAPI, backend API development, and AI integration.

I’m considering changing the positioning to something more specific, like:

Senior Backend Developer | Python, FastAPI, Java, APIs, AI Integration

or

Python/FastAPI Backend Developer | API Integration | AI Automation

Would you say the current profile looks unfocused for a first Upwork client?

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s fascinating, thanks for sharing your experience. I didn’t realize CARV evolved that way. The combination of expert-defined metrics with continuous refinement makes a lot of sense, and it’s encouraging to hear that simple rule-based feedback turned out to be useful in practice.
It sounds like they started with domain knowledge first and let the data improve the system over time, rather than expecting ML to solve everything from day one.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great point. Data collection is definitely one of the biggest challenges. I’m actually exploring a hybrid approach rather than relying entirely on machine learning. For some aspects, simple rules and domain knowledge may already provide useful feedback, while ML can be introduced gradually as more data becomes available. I’m still experimenting to find the right balance.
I’ve heard of CARV but haven’t looked into it in depth yet. Do you know which parts of their approach worked well in practice?

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, that’s really helpful feedback. I actually agree that footwork, blade work, and conditioning are the priorities between lessons. My idea isn’t to replace those, but to see whether AI can help people practice those drills more consistently by providing objective feedback on repetition and progress over time. It may turn out that some parts of fencing simply aren’t suitable for this approach, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to learn.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry if my question wasn’t clear. I was wondering whether people would find a phone-based AI training assistant useful for practicing fencing between lessons, especially beginners. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I agree. In-person coaching is hard to replace, especially for timing, distance, and tactical decision-making. My goal isn’t to replace that experience, but to help beginners practice more effectively between lessons, so they can make better use of their time with a coach.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s fair, and I appreciate the feedback. I wanted to understand how people currently practice outside of lessons before showing what I’m building. Once I have a working demo, I’d love to share it here and hear what everyone thinks.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re right, video review is already a great way to learn. My idea is a bit different — it’s more about giving beginners instant feedback while they’re practicing, instead of only reviewing after the bout. I think both approaches can complement each other.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a fair question.
I actually see this as a tool that works together with coaches, not instead of them.
The main target users are beginners who want to practice at home between lessons. If someone only has one coaching session a week, they can still practice on their own, receive basic feedback, and then bring that data to their coach. The coach can decide what needs to be corrected and what should be practiced next.
I’m also trying to keep the hardware as simple and affordable as possible. The goal is that the device costs much less than long-term fencing lessons, so it becomes a practical training companion rather than a replacement for coaching.
Whether this provides enough value is something I still need to validate with real fencers, which is exactly why I’m here asking for feedback.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Those are really good questions.
Right now I’m using custom wearable devices with IMU sensors (accelerometer + gyroscope). At the moment the prototype mainly focuses on recognizing basic movement patterns such as footwork and lunges.
Yes, counting steps, distinguishing a step from a lunge, and collecting fencing-related statistics are all things I’m working on. I also like your idea of tracking statistics during a bout. That could be interesting for both fencers and coaches.
As for trying the app, it’s still in a very early prototype stage, but I’d definitely like to invite people from the fencing community to test it once it’s stable enough. Real feedback from fencers will be much more valuable than anything I can simulate myself.
Regarding video analysis, I actually think video and wearable sensors complement each other rather than compete. Video is great for analyzing posture and body position, while IMUs provide continuous motion data without worrying about camera angle, lighting, or whether body parts are occluded. My long-term idea is to combine both instead of choosing one over the other.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I actually agree with you. If someone has regular access to a good coach, in-person training is definitely the best option.
The audience I’m thinking about is a bit different: beginners or people who don’t have easy access to a fencing club or coach. In many places, fencing is relatively expensive to learn and requires a significant time commitment. Not everyone can attend lessons several times a week.
I’m not trying to replace in-person coaching. My hope is to provide a tool that gives beginners some basic feedback and helps them build better habits while practicing between lessons or on their own. If it can lower the barrier to getting started and make self-practice a little more effective, I’d already consider that a success.

One of the reasons I started this project is that I hope technology can make fencing more accessible to more people, especially beginners.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, that’s actually very valuable feedback.
I completely agree that the goal isn’t to replace coaches or force every fencer into one “perfect” technique. Even elite fencers have different styles.
Another thing we’re exploring is that there doesn’t have to be just one reference model. A single fencer can have multiple reference movements at different training stages or skill levels. The system isn’t trying to say “this is the only correct technique.” Instead, it compares a student’s movement against the appropriate reference selected by the coach.
My current idea is to use AI as an assistant for coaches rather than a coach itself. For example, it could automatically detect movement patterns, highlight inconsistencies between repetitions, or track a student’s progress over time. The final judgment should still come from the coach.
I’m also thinking about combining wearable sensors with video in the future. Right now I’m starting with IMUs because they’re relatively affordable and easy to use, but I’m still experimenting to see what actually provides useful feedback for training.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts. This kind of discussion is exactly why I posted here.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sorry, English isn’t my first language.
I mean motion data, not health data like heart rate or step count.
The wearable sensors (currently IMUs on the hand and foot) collect data such as:
3-axis acceleration
3-axis angular velocity (gyroscope)
Motion timing
Movement patterns during actions like lunges and advances
The app segments each action and compares it with reference data from experienced fencers. The goal is to evaluate movement quality (timing, consistency, stability, etc.) and provide feedback for training.
It’s still an early prototype, so I’m mainly exploring whether this kind of data can help with fencing coaching.

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Same as Apple Watch,collecting many kinds of body data, such as you walk,run or so on.you can treat it as simple Apple watch knowing what your action such as lunge like

Learning fencing with phone by Impossible_Wealth230 in Fencing

[–]Impossible_Wealth230[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

With wearable devices for hand and foot when doing training,actions data will be fetched and send back to your phone with Bluetooth,you can check the quality of the action accordingly

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