Preparation: Getting ready to be employable

1. If possible, start taking charge of your own education before you are 18. Practice doing what you like and see where it leads you. The more time you spend following your interests and passions during your school-age years, the more you will know about yourself and what you want to do next.
2. Identify what you like and what you are good at. (see tools at Transitioning to FL)
3. Get a job, any job. Volunteer. Job shadow.
4. Travel. Start a business or non-profit. Get real life experience—paid or unpaid.
5. Read. Research. Read. Research. Become adept at finding things out and asking questions.
6. Use the teachers, Councillors, and the resources at your school.
7. Ask for help.
8. Take advantage of on-line training or adult-education courses in which you are interested.
9. Think about people you know who like their life and talk to them.
10. Take a few Open University courses.

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Research: When you know what you want, make a plan

1. Do you need further training? What do you need to get accepted into that training?
2. Do you need a  FL Diploma and portfolio?
3. Find out what qualities successful people have.
4. How can you demonstrate your interest or competence in the job you want?
5. Who do you know who can be a reference or help you get an interview?

Action: Getting the job

1. Create your resume, portfolio, application.
2. Role-play job interviews.
3. Dress for success. Stand up straight. Make eye contact. Smile. Speak in full sentences.
4. Apply. Apply. Apply.
5. Follow-up. Follow-up. Follow-up.
6. Get hired and do a better job than you need to.