You have set up your phone, listed your skills, made a resume, found places to look, learned how to apply, avoid scams and prepare. Now it is time to put it into action. This last lesson gives you a simple plan for seven days, and ideas to keep learning so that better work comes your way. No plan can promise a job, but steady work, little by little, gives you the best chance.
A seven-day plan
- Day 1: Phone. Do lesson 1. Charge it, free some space, make the
Jobsfolder, check your email and voicemail. - Day 2: Skills. Write your skills sheet. Ask one person what you do best.
- Day 3: Resume. Make your one-page resume and save the PDF. Ask a friend to read it.
- Day 4: Papers. Take clear photos of your certificates and licences. Name the files.
- Day 5: Look. Search for jobs online and tell five people what work you want. Start your job list.
- Day 6: Apply. Send three messages or make three calls using the scripts. Write them in your list.
- Day 7: Check. Follow up where it is time. Check for scam signs again. Plan the next week.
Repeat Days 5 to 7 each week. Do a little every day. Looking for work is a job in itself. Many people find that doing something small each day is easier than a big push once a month.
Keep your energy up
- Rest, eat and move. Tired people give up.
- Talk to a friend or family member about how it feels. A bad week is normal.
- Celebrate small wins: a call back, a reply, a new contact.
- If you feel very low or cannot cope, talk to someone you trust, or to a local health or support service. You are not alone.
Learn one new thing
A new skill can open more jobs. Pick one that fits your work and your time. Some ideas:
- A safety course or first aid.
- A licence, such as for driving, forklift or machines, if it fits your work.
- Basic maths for measuring and cost. It helps in almost every trade.
- Basic English or the language of your region, for speaking with customers. Our course Workplace English teaches phrases for calls, messages and work.
- Simple phone and computer skills, such as spreadsheets for jobs. Our Excel for Jobs course can help if you work with lists and numbers.
- A trade upgrade, for example from helper to skilled worker.
Ways to learn on your phone
- Free video lessons and local training channels in your language.
- Library, community centre or training centre courses. Many have free or low-cost classes.
- Lessons on this site: see all free courses.
- Ask a person with more experience if you can watch and learn for a short time.
See where your skills can go
Look at our career roadmaps. They show steps and skills for different kinds of work, and you may see a next step that you can reach. Roadmaps are guides, not promises. Use them to choose what to learn next.
A short note for helpers
If you are teaching a family member or a friend, sit with them and do the lessons together. Many people are shy about asking for help. Be patient. Let them do the typing, and you can explain.
Your task
- Write your seven-day plan in your notes app, with the day and the time of each step.
- Do Day 1 today.
- Choose one skill that you want to learn in the next three months, and write the first step.
- Tell one person about your plan, and ask them to check on you in one week.
How to check it worked
- You have a plan with seven days and a clear first step.
- You did Day 1: your phone, your folder and your email are ready.
- You know one skill that you want to learn next.