# 2. Membership and employment

##### Have you already attended your personal appointment? Here are the next steps:

<details id="bkmrk-become-a-smart-membe"><summary>Become a Smart member</summary>

To start, [become a member](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/becoming-a-member/page/declaration-of-membership-in-the-portal) of the cooperative and complete the [Employment Datasheet](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/becoming-a-member/page/employment-datasheet "https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/becoming-a-member/page/employment-datasheet"). We'll confirm your data within one business day.

**Please note**: Membership in the cooperative does not automatically mean you are employed!

</details><details id="bkmrk-save-your-orders-aft"><summary>Save your orders</summary>

Once we have confirmed your membership, your account will be activated and you’ll be able to [save your first orders](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/order-processing/page/creating-orders "https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/order-processing/page/creating-orders") in the Smart Portal.

Learn how to manage [order processing](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/shelves/03-orders-and-invoices) in the guide.

</details><details id="bkmrk-payment-guarantee-yo"><summary>Payment guarantee</summary>

When saving orders, you can choose whether your client should confirm the order.

- If you skip client confirmation, we can only employ you for that month if the client has *already paid* us before the **10th of the month**.
- For clients outside the EU, payment must always be received before employment can begin.

</details><details id="bkmrk-employment-request-a"><summary>Employment request</summary>

After Smart confirms your first order form and your budget shows income, you'll be able to submit an [employment request](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/your-employment/page/submit-an-employment-request-in-the-smart-portal "https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/your-employment/page/submit-an-employment-request-in-the-smart-portal"). When requesting employment, choose an [employment category](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/your-employment/chapter/employment-categories) based on your average expected income.

</details><details id="bkmrk-the-employment-begin"><summary>The employment begins</summary>

We will review and approve your employment request. You will receive your employment contract by email.

- Your **first salary** will be transferred at the end of your first month of employment.
- Your **payslip** will also be emailed at the end of the month.

</details>If you are requesting a **Minijob** (603€ gross or less), please check the specific information regarding [Minijob contracts](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/abc-of-employment/page/minijobs).

<p class="callout warning">**DEADLINE**: Please submit your employment request **by the end of the month** for a contract starting on the 1st of the following month (e.g. submit by the end of April for the employment on 1 May) Salaries are paid at the end of the month (e.g. 28 May)</p>

#### Already a member? Join the Smart Community!

Once you're a member, you can get more involved and stay connected:

- Create your profile on the [Community](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/community-in-smart-portal) page in the Smart Portal and start networking with other members.
- Follow Smart on social media: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SMartDe.Genossenschaft/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/smartdecoop) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/smartcoopgermany/)
- Join the [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/229360214207268/)
- Mark Smart as your employer on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartde-eg/mycompany/)
- Check your e-mail regularly - we send out a regular newsletters with updates from the cooperative. You can find the previous [Newsletter here](https://mein.smart-eg.de/login?redirect_url=/index.php/apps/files/?dir%3D/Allgemeine%2520Infos%2520-%2520Mitglieder/Info/Newsletter%25202022%26fileid%3D353941) (only with personal access).

#### Questions?

Can't find answer to your question here? [Contact us.](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/get-in-touch-with-us/page/how-to-contact-us)