Start where you are • Choose only the next useful step

Start Here: Finding Work & Career Planning

You do not need to understand the whole employment journey before you begin. Use this page to find the part of the pathway that matches what you need today — whether you are exploring possibilities, looking for jobs, preparing an application, getting ready for an interview or deciding what comes next.

💜 There is no single correct starting point. You can enter this pathway wherever your current situation makes sense, move backwards when you need more preparation, or skip pages that are not relevant to you.

What do you need help with today?

Try strengths, career ideas, suitable jobs, CV, applications, references, interview, offer or starting work.

Search this Start Here page

Showing all starting points.

No matching starting point was found. Try a shorter word or browse the pathway cards below.

Choose by situation

Which Situation Sounds Most Like You?

I am not sure what kind of work suits me

Start With Yourself & Your Options

Explore your strengths, interests, preferences and possible directions before putting pressure on yourself to choose a specific job.

Understanding Your Strengths Career Exploration

I know roughly what I want

Move Into Finding Suitable Opportunities

Use your work preferences and priorities to look for roles that are worth your time and energy.

Job Searching Finding Suitable Jobs Recruitment Agencies Networking

I am ready to apply

Prepare Your Application

Get the practical pieces ready so each application can be tailored without starting from zero every time.

CV & Résumé Support Cover Letters Job Applications Job References & Referees

I have an interview

Use Interview Preparation as Your Doorway

From preparation you can move into questions, checklists, confidence, anxiety support, online interviews and what happens afterwards.

Interview Preparation After the Interview

I am waiting or following up

Work With the Uncertain Middle

Follow up appropriately, keep track of applications and give yourself somewhere constructive to put the waiting energy.

Follow-Up Applications After the Interview

I have an offer or I am about to start

Decide, Prepare & Move Into the Workplace

Consider the offer carefully, then prepare for the practical and emotional transition into a new role.

Job Offers & Decisions Starting a New Job

Semi-realistic kawaii person exploring possible work paths with supportive planning imagery — You can explore, learn, try, adjust and grow. Career planning does not require one perfect decision.

Ideas, Options and Possibilities divider

See the bigger picture

A Simple View of the Finding Work Journey

1. ExploreStrengths, interests, possibilities and fit.

2. SearchFind roles, agencies, contacts and opportunities.

3. ApplyCVs, cover letters, applications and referees.

4. InterviewPrepare, communicate, regulate and follow up.

5. Decide & StartAssess offers and prepare for your new role.

You might return to an earlier stage. For example, an interview may teach you more about the kind of workplace you want, or a job search may show that you want to build another skill first.

Semi-realistic kawaii career-planning scene with organised next steps, applications and a path toward future work — A clear next step is often more useful than trying to plan every part of your future at once.

Application stage

If You Are Preparing to Apply

Finding Suitable Jobs Check whether the role, environment and expectations are likely to fit before investing heavily in an application. CV & Résumé Support Build a clear base CV and tailor the most relevant information for each role. Cover Letters Connect your experience and strengths to the particular opportunity. Job Applications Keep forms, deadlines, documents and application details organised. Job References & Referees Choose, ask and prepare people who may be contacted about your experience or reliability. Job Searching Return here if you need a more organised way to find and track opportunities.

Interview stage

If You Have Reached an Interview

You do not need to jump between every interview page at once. Begin with Interview Preparation; from there, use the specialist page that matches the part you need help with.

Start With Interview Preparation After the Interview

What comes after applying?

Follow-Up, Offers & Starting Work

Follow-Up Applications Know when and how to follow up without having to constantly check or chase. After the Interview Recover, reflect and manage the uncertainty after an interview. Job Offers & Decisions Consider whether an offer fits and what you need to know before saying yes. Starting a New Job Prepare for the practical, sensory, communication and energy demands of the transition.

Companion support

Companions for Finding Your Way

Problem-Solving • Flexibility • Independence

Finn Fox

Finn is useful when you are comparing possibilities, solving a barrier or changing direction without losing sight of what matters.

Steps • Routines • Preparation

Checklist Cat

Checklist Cat helps turn a large employment process into smaller actions you can prepare, complete and check off.

Schedules • Deadlines • Time Planning

Calendar Cat

Calendar Cat helps make deadlines, follow-ups and next steps visible so everything does not have to stay in your head.

The semi-realistic people and animal characters in the supporting illustrations provide visual warmth and context. The named Companion cards above use the official Aspie Answers Companion roles for this pathway.

More support

Resources for the Finding Work Journey

Finding Work & Career Planning Return to the main pathway page for the wider overview. Work & Employment Resources & Downloads Find practical templates, guides, planners and printable support. Work & Employment Collections Browse grouped resources and related areas of employment support. Work & Employment Hub Explore the other six major Work & Employment pathways.

Explore the Full Pathway Back to Work & Employment

Gentle guidance note: Job markets, recruitment practices, qualifications and employment processes vary between employers, industries and locations. Use current official or employer information when a decision depends on a specific requirement.