Identify Your Skills and Abilities 

What do you enjoy doing? Where do you excel in school and what other talents, skills, and abilities do you have that could transfer into employment opportunities? Think about these and make a list of your skills and abilities. 

Identify Your Employment Goals 

How old are you? Where do you see yourself in 1 year from now? Would you like to have a part-time job right now? How about 5 years and 10 years from now? What are your career interests? Make a list of your goals, both short and long term. Talk to adult allies about different career interests. See if your school or community offers a mentorship or career shadowing program to get a taste of what you are interested in. Many high schools and post-secondary locations offer career and education counseling or support. They can help you figure out what you need to do to get the job or education you want.

Identify and Develop Education and Training to Meet Your Goals 

What do you need to help you achieve your employment goals? Do you need further training or education? Make a list of both your short and long term employment goals and what additional training or education that you may need to help you achieve these goals. We’ve started a list of additional training you could complete in the worksheet at the end of this module. 

Do You Have a Resume? 

It is important to build a resume in order to apply for jobs. When you are first starting out, with little experience, it can be difficult to know what to include on your resume. You can include extra-curricular activities or volunteer activities that you have done. Include a list of your skills and strengths. If you have completed any training certificates, such as “Babysitting,” “Driver Education,” “CPR,” “Hunter Training” or “Food Safety,” include them. It’s smart to get a couple of these certificates under your belt for the job hunt. Find adult allies to become references for your resume. References are people who can speak to how well you work and to your skills and strengths. 

Job Search 

Do you know where to look for a job? Identify and make a list of where to look for employment. Ask adult allies to help you brainstorm where to look. It could be places such as the newspaper, internet, signs, boards, or by word-of-mouth.

Resources 

Do you have a career centre in your community? Where can you access a computer and the internet? Does the local library offer free resume writing workshops? Is there a career fair at your local university or community centre? Identify resources in your community and adult allies in your life for support in these areas.