Work every active row. No orphan applications.
- TARGET: apply or close
- APPLIED: wait or follow up
- SCREEN: prepare
- INTERVIEW: prepare and attend
- FOLLOW UP: contact and log
- CLOSED: record the lesson
Employer instructions come first. If they say no calls or give a timeline, follow it. Otherwise, follow up 7 to 14 days after you apply.
- About 7 days: your board asks if you heard back
- About 14 days: call or email
- Email is often right. Call when it is welcome.
DAY 8
Follow up call: 20 to 30 seconds
"Hi, my name is Jordan Lee. I applied for the Food Service Worker position last Tuesday. I have a current ServSafe Food Handler certification and hands on sanitation and customer service experience. I'm calling to confirm my interest and ask who I should speak with about next steps."
- Name
- Role
- Date applied
- One strength
- Clear ask
DAY 8
No answer? Voicemail and decision tree
Voicemail: name, role, brief interest, callback number twice. Then log the outcome.
- No calls? Don't call.
- Wrong department? Ask who handles hiring.
- Voicemail? One short message.
- Reached the decision maker? Ask next steps.
DAY 8
Keeping the job: your first 90 days
Most new jobs start with a probation period. Getting the job is half the work. Keeping it is the other half.
- Be on time, every shift
- Call out the right way, before the shift
- Ask for help early, not late
- Take correction calmly, ask what to change
DAY 8
Workplace communication
Short, clear, respectful. Write like the person reading it is your supervisor.
- Texts and emails: clear and polite
- Running late: tell them before, not after
- A problem at work: call Growing Home before you quit
Growing Home stays with you after the program and after you are hired.
- Your board keeps refreshing every two weeks
- Career strategy sessions continue
- Check ins at 30, 60, and 90 days after you start
- Bring a paystub to each check in
DAY 8
Exit check: can you run it alone?
Score each: 0 = not yet, 1 = with help, 2 = on your own. This measures the workflow, not whether somebody is employable.
- TRACK
- TARGET
- TAILOR
- INTERVIEW
- FOLLOW UP
DAY 8
Your Job Search Portfolio
The goal is independence: I know what to do next.
- Your job board link
- Master resume + 2 tailored
- Posting teardown + keyword test
- Credential copies
- 5 transit checked targets
- Application confirmations
- Pitch + STAR Lite bank
- Hard question answers
- Follow up plan + first 90 days plan
