# How to apply for a swap

**For:** Shift worker
**You'll need:** An open offer on the {doc}`swap marketplace <browse-the-swap-marketplace>` that you're eligible to take.

Found a shift you want? Apply for it. For a give-away you just say yes; for a 1:1 swap you also offer one of your own shifts in return.

## Apply

1. Open **Planning → 'Swap marketplace'** and click the offer.
2. Click **'Apply'**.
3. For a **1:1 swap**, choose the shift you'll give in return from the **'Offered shift'** dropdown. The list only contains your own upcoming shifts that the colleague is qualified to take.
4. (Optional) Add a **note** for the person and the manager.
5. Click **'Apply'** to submit.

## What happens

What happens next depends on your company's rules:

- **Approval required** — the offer moves to **'Pending approval'** and a manager is notified. Nothing changes on the schedule until they approve.
- **No approval needed** — the swap is approved straight away and the shift moves to you (and your return shift moves to the other person, for a 1:1 swap).

The person who posted the offer is notified that you applied. If several people apply, only one is chosen — everyone else's application is declined and they're told.

```{note}
You can apply to more than one offer. You can withdraw an application any time before it's approved — see {doc}`withdraw-a-swap-offer-or-application`.
```

## Verify it worked

The offer page shows your application with status **'Pending'** (or the swap completes immediately if no approval is needed). When the decision is made, you get an email.

## Related

- {doc}`browse-the-swap-marketplace`
- {doc}`withdraw-a-swap-offer-or-application`
- {doc}`offer-a-shift-for-swap`