How GotWork works

1. Join with your email

Type your email address and GotWork sends you a link. Open it and you are in. There is no password to remember.

Then tell GotWork your name, your postal code, how far you will travel, and what you can help with. Other people see your first name and the first letter of your last name, and your general area. They never see your email address or your postal code.

2. Confirm who you are, once

Before you post a gig or send a message, you show a government photo ID and take a selfie. It takes a few minutes, and you need to be 18 or older. After that your name carries a Verified mark.

The check is run by Didit, an identity check company. GotWork keeps only the result, never your photos.

3. Post a gig

A gig is something you need a hand with: mowing a lawn, moving a couch, cleaning before a move, help with a school assignment. You answer a few short questions: what you need, what kind of task it is, whether it is in person or done online, and when. You can add up to 4 photos, so people can see the task.

Your gig stays open for 30 days. You can edit it, close it, or mark it as filled at any time. For a task that comes up again, like weekly lawn mowing, choose Post it again and the details are filled in for you.

4. Find a gig near you

Home shows the gigs that fit you first: the ones that match your skills and are within the distance you chose. You can also search every open gig, and filter by kind of task, in person or virtual, and distance.

If you like, GotWork emails you when a new gig fits. You choose how often, or not at all.

5. Message each other

When a gig looks right, tap I'm interested. A short first message is ready for you, and you can send it as it is or change it. You keep talking here on GotWork. Your email address and phone number stay private unless you choose to share them.

You agree on the details and the pay between yourselves. GotWork does not handle payments and takes no fee.

6. Say how it went

When the gig is done, the person who posted it marks it as filled and says who did it. Then each of you is asked one question: did it go well? Neither of you sees the other's answer. When you both say yes, each of you gets one more completed gig on your name, like "3 gigs completed", so other people know you follow through.

Staying safe

• Agree on pay before the work starts.
• Tell someone you trust where you will be.
• Never pay to get a gig, and never send money or gift cards to someone you met here.
• You can report a gig or a conversation, and block anyone, at any time.

The Rules and safety page has more, and Questions and answers covers the rest.