Free Self-Check · Starting my working life

Your first direction.
Not your whole life.

You don’t need your whole life figured out. You do need a direction worth testing, a realistic idea of the life it can support, and a next step with a date.

A path begins with two stones: Purpose and Standard of Living.

Purpose and an accepted standard of living are your foundation—not simply “be happy.” Twelve questions. Answer based on what you’ve actually done, not what you intend to do.

Yes: I can show or explain it. Partly: I’ve started, but something is missing. Not yet: I haven’t done it. These answers describe preparation, not your worth or career potential.

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01 / 12

Purpose: something worth trying

I can name work I want to try and explain what matters to me about it—not just the salary, title, or what someone else expects.

02 / 12

Standard of living: what the work needs to support

I know what my life needs to cost, what support I can actually count on, and what I’m willing—and not willing—to trade for work that matters to me.

03 / 12

The 6: a plan with a date

I can say what I’m moving toward next and by when—even if I haven’t chosen my whole career.

04 / 12

Three dates: when the situation changes

I have written down when I want to start, when my current money or support changes, and when I would need a backup plan.

05 / 12

The KPI: real hiring conversations

I track meaningful conversations with people who could actually decide to hire me—not just applications, likes, or career-event attendance.

06 / 12

Pace: matched to the situation

I know how urgent my situation is, and my conversation pace reflects that—not just how busy I feel.

After writing your 6: motivation 0–6 calls for one hiring conversation a month; 6–9, two a month; out of work, two a week. Your situation—not your age—sets the urgency.

07 / 12

Contacts: more than people with job titles

I can name people who know me well enough to return my call, give honest advice, or make an introduction.

08 / 12

Start with the A’s—and give something back

I’ve spoken with at least three trusted contacts in the last thirty days, made a specific request, and asked what I can do for them.

09 / 12

Evidence: experience already counts

I can explain a result I helped create in a class project, job, internship, volunteering, or campus responsibility—and say exactly what I did.

10 / 12

Profile: clear, truthful, and useful

My résumé and LinkedIn show what I can contribute, with examples I can defend—not just my major or a list of duties.

11 / 12

Participation: responsibility gets remembered

I take responsibility in a group, project, job, or community—not just show up or put my name on a membership list.

12 / 12

Follow-up: make the conversation matter

After an interview or career conversation, I send a specific follow-up that shows what I heard and what I’ll do next.

My money or support is changing soon, and I need a near-term income plan.Optional. Only you can tell us whether this is urgent.

Your free read · 0 of 12 answered

Your foundation comes first.

Answer all twelve to get your complete read and first three moves. Unanswered questions are not failures.

Still to answer: Purpose · Standard of living · The 6 · Three dates · The KPI · Pace · Contacts · Start with the A’s—and give something back · Evidence · Profile · Participation · Follow-up.

Your first direction.Not your whole life.