> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.zulma.ca/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Your First Job

> How dispatch works at Zulma: go online for instant jobs or declare your weekly availability, accept a single offer in about 60 seconds, and start scheduled jobs within 60 minutes of the start time.

Once you are approved, jobs reach you in one of two ways. You can go online for instant work nearby, or declare your weekly availability so scheduled jobs match to you ahead of time. Both lead to the same thing: a single, clear offer with everything you need to decide.

## Two ways to get matched

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Go online" icon="route">
    Flip yourself online in the app and you become eligible for instant jobs near you. Good for filling gaps in your day or working on demand.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Declare your availability" icon="calendar-check">
    Set the weekly hours you want to work, with blackout or exception days for time off. Scheduled jobs match to you ahead of time, so your week fills in advance.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

You can use both. Many Pros set a weekly availability for their predictable hours and also go online when they have extra time.

## How an offer works

When a job matches you, you get a single offer. Not a list to scroll, not a race against ten other Pros. One offer, with the details, sent to you.

<Steps>
  <Step title="The offer arrives">
    You see the customer's details and any photos or notes they uploaded about the space. Review the brief before you decide.
  </Step>

  <Step title="You have about 60 seconds to accept">
    Tap to accept while the offer is live. If the customer specifically requested you, you get a little longer, about 75 seconds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="If you pass, it cascades">
    Let the timer run out or decline, and the offer moves on to the next Pro. No penalty for passing. The job is simply matched to someone else.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Because every offer is a single offer, what you see is yours to take. Read the brief, check the photos, and accept the work that fits you.
</Info>

### Offer windows at a glance

| Situation                           | Time to accept |
| ----------------------------------- | -------------- |
| Standard offer                      | \~60 seconds   |
| Customer requested you specifically | \~75 seconds   |

## What is in the offer

Before you accept, you can see what you are walking into.

| You see                        | Why it helps                                                |
| ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Customer details               | Know where the job is and who you are working with.         |
| Photos the customer uploaded   | Sense the size and condition of the space.                  |
| Notes and the customer's brief | Catch any special requests or access instructions up front. |

Take the moment to read it. Accepting with eyes open means fewer surprises on site.

## Instant jobs vs scheduled jobs

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Instant (online)">
    You are online and an instant job nearby matches to you. You accept and head over. This is on-demand work for whoever is online and close.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Scheduled (availability)">
    A scheduled job is matched to you ahead of time based on your declared availability. It sits on your list until it is time to work.

    A scheduled job becomes startable on your active list only within 60 minutes of the start time. Before that window opens, it is confirmed and waiting, but you cannot start it yet. This keeps your active list focused on what is actually next.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  Seeing a scheduled job that you cannot start yet is normal. It will move to startable inside the 60-minute window before its start time.
</Tip>

## Tips for your first jobs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Keep notifications on">
    Offers are time-limited. With notifications on, you will not miss the window to accept.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Read the brief before you tap accept">
    The customer's photos and notes tell you what to expect. A quick read now saves time on site.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Only accept what you can do well">
    Passing on an offer is fine and carries no penalty. Accept the jobs that match your time, your tools, and the services you are approved for.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Mix availability and going online">
    Declare your weekly availability for steady scheduled work, and go online to pick up instant jobs when you have a free stretch.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## After you accept

Accepting an offer starts the job lifecycle in the app, from heading out to marking the work complete. See [what happens on the job](/cleaners/on-the-job) for the full flow.

Not approved yet? Start your [application](/cleaners/apply) and you will be taking offers before long.

Questions about dispatch or your offers? Email [support@zulma.ca](mailto:support@zulma.ca).