An Action Plan is a tool that can help you identify and achieve your goals. It acts as a guide to help you answer questions, make decisions and plans, take steps towards your goals, and keeps you on track - in this case for employment and a career.

You may already know what kind of work you want, or maybe you feel uncertain. It could be returning to the same kind of work as before, shifting to something new, or starting your very first job. You have many questions. Perhaps the most important one is – "Where do I begin?"

We recommend building an Action Plan using these 4 steps. You can choose where to begin. Your action plan and this guide will help  you move through the steps needed to reach your employment and career goals.

Step 1 - Know Yourself

Identify your strengths, your values, your employment goals.

Step 2 - Identify Options

Gather information about:

• careers and the labour market
• tools and strategies for an effective job search
• training (schools, colleges, upgrading, on-line courses)
• training on-the-job ("learn while you earn")
• strategies for moving to find work elsewhere
• self-employment

Step 3 - Build Your Plan

• Use a basic outline to organize the information gathered in Step1 and Step 2
• Identify the steps and resources you will need to reach your employment goals

Step 4 - Put Plan into Action

• List Next Steps in order of priority
• Enter target completion dates fo each Next Step
• Prepare for future challenges
• Identify need for additional resources

As you work through each of the sections, you will find many helpful tips, ideas, and links that can help you make decisions and plans for success. As you gather information and make decisions, record this directly on your plan. We suggest that you start by printing out an Action Plan Outline. If you are a NIEFS client you also have the choice to work with it online.

If you get stuck, you can also connect with a NIEFS employment advisor for personalized help. Click here to connect with NIEFS for an employment advisor.