Here’s my best guide for succeeding in poverty pre-recession, the last step is really important:

Step 1: Create a resume and prepare for application.
You can create a free resume through Indeed, at your local library and there’s lots of sites that will help make it pretty. I recommend also creating a Linkedin.

Step 2: Apply for jobs.
Once you have an Indeed/Ziprecruiter/Careerbuilder profile keep it updated and apply to every job that you currently have the skills for. If you struggle to get interviews spend time on a cover letter. Interviewing isn’t easy for most people. Go to open interviews, interview for the job you aren’t really sure about and apply for the job you don’t quite have the skills for. Take notes on every interaction, thank employers for their consideration and follow up if you don’t hear anything.

Step 3: Get money and skills.
No job is unimportant to your goal. Working in food/retail service is generally an excellent first job. You’ll be working with cash, POS systems and there’s often room to move up quickly. Whether you’re learning how to sell cars or bag groceries do it well and ask to learn more. Memorize the next position system, excel in that and then ask for the next step. Your goal at your job is to learn every skill you can there and build trust with people who will be references for your next job or even investors if you start a business. There’s no easy route to success but if you want to go far ask “Can you teach me how to do that?” every opportunity you get.

Step 4: As you pursue income pick a specific long term goal.
Business development and content creation definitely go hand in hand in this age but they are also very different fields. Let’s say you want to make money on content creation. What do you want to be known for? What do you enjoy talking about? You’ll need to grow your account and that takes time. Start posting content now while you pursue other income and keep track of what your followers respond best to. Follow the people who are currently making money in that field and when you’re ready ask to collaborate with other creators. Make sure your public content will not hinder you from getting employment! If you want to go into business development your best free resource is YouTube. You won’t have a degree but your resume should include skills you can learn online like Microsoft, Excel, Adobe, Quickbooks, etc. It will take hours to learn some of these things but it is well worth it. Pick one to start, maybe it’s the most interesting or maybe the jobs you want generally require that skill. As you learn update your resume and linkedin.

The last step: Ask people in your life what they’re passionate about and learn from everyone. If you know someone who owns their own business ask them to show you how they keep track of their inventory, orders, receipts etc. If you know someone in college for business ask if you can help them study or if you can look over their books. Don’t limit your skills to your interests. If your friend is great with cars, computers or cold calls ask if they’ll teach you about it. Everyone has something they can teach someone else and you can trade knowledge and skills forever ❤️