Finding and Applying for Local Jobs Safely

The gig economy offers freedom and flexibility, but it also comes with a major risk: unpaid work. Many freelancers and local service professionals (plumbers, writers, cleaners, developers) have experienced the frustration of completing a task only for the client to disappear or refuse payment.

Zaruni’s Jobs & Gig Work Module is built to solve this problem. By using lock-secured milestones, verified client profiles, and structured work submissions, we make sure that you get paid for every single task you complete.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to find, apply, and complete local jobs safely on Zaruni.

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1. Finding Legitimate Gigs

In the Zaruni app, navigate to the Jobs section to browse available gigs in your area or remote roles.

• Filter by Category: Browse jobs matching your skillset, such as manual labor, home repairs, creative writing, photography, digital marketing, or delivery.
• Evaluate the Client Profile: Tap on the employer’s name to view their profile. Check their transaction history, historical ratings from previous hires, and whether their payment method is verified.
• Read the Job Details: Review the project scope, required tools, completion deadline, and estimated budget.

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2. Submitting an Effective Proposal

When you find a job that fits, tap Apply to submit your offer.

• Specify Your Rate: You can bid the client’s listed budget, or submit a custom quote if the project requirements demand it.
• Break Down the Work: For larger projects, propose a Milestone Structure (e.g., Milestone 1: Design Draft - 30%, Milestone 2: Core Development - 50%, Milestone 3: Final Delivery - 20%).
• Write a Clear Description: Explain your experience, why you are qualified, and how long you expect the job to take. Attach any relevant images or documents of your past work.

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3. Working Safely: Securing the Contract

Once a client accepts your proposal, do not start working until the contract is funded.

• Milestone Hold Funding: When a client hires you, they must secure the contract (or the first agreed milestone) under a transaction hold.
• Check the Status: The app will notify you: “Contract Funded. You are safe to start working.” If the contract status is “Pending Funding,” wait. Starting work before the client has committed funds bypasses payment protection.

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4. Submitting Proof of Completion

When you finish a milestone or the entire job, you must formally submit your work inside the app. This creates a solid record of your completion.

1. Navigate to the active contract and tap Submit Milestone Work.
2. Write a brief summary of what was completed.
3. Upload Proof of Work. Depending on the job, this could be:
   • Photos of a completed home repair (e.g., fixed plumbing, painted wall).
   • Files, screenshots, or documents for digital tasks.
   • A GPS check-in or client signature.
4. Tap Submit. The client will be notified to review the submission.

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5. Getting Paid: Milestone Release

The client has a standard review period (typically 72 hours) to inspect the work.

• Approval: Once the client approves, the locked funds for that milestone are immediately released into your Zaruni Ledger Balance.
• Auto-Release: If the client fails to review the work within the allocated review window and does not raise an issue, the system automatically releases the funds to you.
• Requested Edits: If the client requests changes, they must specify what needs adjustments. You can make the edits and submit the updated proof.

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6. How to Resolve Work Disputes

If a client refuses to release payment even though you have completed the work according to the agreed terms:

1. Do Not Agree to Off-Platform Requests: Keep all discussions regarding revisions inside Zaruni Chat.
2. Dispute Initiation: Tap Dispute Milestone in the contract interface. This freezes the locked funds so they cannot be returned to the client.
3. Provide Documentation: Upload your original contract agreement, progress reports, chat screenshots, and detailed photos of the final output.
4. Arbitration: The Zaruni Arbitration Team will review the submitted proof of work against the initial job description. If the work meets the agreed requirements, we will manually release the payment to your ledger balance.

By keeping your gig contracts structured and secured inside Zaruni, you can focus on doing great work, knowing your earnings are fully protected.