What happens after you sign up to an Expert Network

Just created a profile with an expert network like Arbolus, GLG, or AlphaSights? Here's exactly what happens next, step by step.

What happens after you sign up?

Creating a profile is only the first step. Here's what typically happens from there, whether you've joined Arbolus or another expert network.

1. Your profile enters the pool: Once your profile is complete, it becomes searchable within the network's internal system. Every time a client submits a project brief, the network searches for professionals whose background matches, so a complete, specific profile is what gets you found.

2. You wait, and that's normal: There's no set timeline for your first project invitation. It depends on demand in your industry, how niche your expertise is, and the broader economic cycle at any given time. With Arbolus, you can also directly apply to projects matched to your expertise.

3. You're contacted when there's a match: You'll usually get an email or platform notification with a short project overview: the general topic, the type of consultation (call, survey, written questions), and sometimes a proposed rate. Client identities are typically kept confidential until later in the process, if at all.

4. You decide whether to accept: Reputable networks never obligate you to take a project. You can decline without it affecting your standing in the network. If you accept, you'll usually confirm availability and go through a short compliance check.

5. The compliance check runs: This covers conflicts of interest (for example, whether you currently work for a competitor of the client) and confidentiality (whether anything you'd discuss is covered by an NDA or insider restrictions). It protects you as much as the client.

6. The consultation happens: Format varies by network and project: a scheduled call, a written questionnaire, or a short video response. You control what you're comfortable discussing throughout.

7. You get paid: Timing and method vary. Some networks pay within days, others operate monthly payment cycles. It's worth confirming this upfront if it isn't already stated clearly on the platform.

What to do while you wait for your first project

Keep your profile current. Add recent roles, refresh your areas of expertise, and be specific rather than general, since vague profiles are harder to match to a brief. A well-maintained profile is the single biggest factor in how quickly, and how often, you're contacted. Alternatively, with the Rewards Programme on Arbolus you can submit software reviews and get projects matched to your expertise, which you can directly apply to.