Skip to content
Matt Grant for Congress — Missouri — District 2
Access to Jobs

Community resource

7-Day Action Plan Template

7-Day Action Plan Template

Access to Jobs — Workforce Navigator — Module 8

flowchart LR subgraph D1 ["Day 1: Foundation"] D1A[Resume + LinkedIn<br/>+ 10 target jobs] end subgraph D2 ["Day 2: Apply"] D2A[Tailor resume × 3<br/>Submit applications] end subgraph D3 ["Day 3: Network"] D3A[Contact 2-3 people<br/>Join a group] end subgraph D4 ["Day 4: Apply + Skills"] D4A[2 more apps<br/>Start free training] end subgraph D5 ["Day 5: Follow Up"] D5A[Follow up on apps<br/>Send thank-yous] end subgraph D6 ["Day 6: Interview Prep"] D6A[Practice STAR answers<br/>Prep questions to ask] end subgraph D7 ["Day 7: Review"] D7A[Count progress<br/>Plan next week] end D1 --> D2 --> D3 --> D4 --> D5 --> D6 --> D7 style D1 fill:#2563eb,color:#fff style D2 fill:#059669,color:#fff style D3 fill:#7c3aed,color:#fff style D4 fill:#059669,color:#fff style D5 fill:#d97706,color:#fff style D6 fill:#dc2626,color:#fff style D7 fill:#6b7280,color:#fff

URGENCY TIERS

HIGH URGENCY (need work immediately)

Front-load applications. Apply to 3–5 jobs per day. Prioritize: any open role that matches 60%+ of skills. Do not wait for perfect fit. Volume + follow-up = results.

MEDIUM URGENCY (need work within 30–60 days)

Balanced approach: 2 applications per day + networking + skill building. Prioritize: roles with strong fit (70%+).

LOW URGENCY (career transition / no immediate pressure)

Research-heavy first week. Skill gaps. Network first, apply second. Prioritize: long-game strategy, learning, informational interviews.


7-DAY PLAN SCAFFOLD

DAY 1 — FOUNDATION
[ ] Review/finalize resume (use resume module)
[ ] Draft master cover letter template
[ ] Set up or update LinkedIn profile
[ ] Identify 10 target job postings
[ ] Save job search URLs (Indeed, LinkedIn, local boards)

DAY 2 — APPLY
[ ] Tailor resume to top 3 job postings
[ ] Customize cover letter for each
[ ] Submit applications (3 minimum)
[ ] Log each application: company, role, date, contact

DAY 3 — NETWORK
[ ] Contact 2–3 people in target field (LinkedIn, email, phone)
[ ] Message any former supervisors or colleagues
[ ] Join 1 relevant professional group (online or local)
[ ] Attend a job fair if available this week

DAY 4 — APPLY + SKILLS
[ ] Submit 2 more applications
[ ] Identify 1 skill gap from job postings
[ ] Begin free training (Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, YouTube)
[ ] Review workforce resources for training support

DAY 5 — FOLLOW-UP
[ ] Follow up on any applications submitted 7+ days ago
[ ] Send thank-you notes from any networking conversations
[ ] Research companies you've applied to (prepare for calls)
[ ] Check job boards for new postings

DAY 6 — INTERVIEW PREP
[ ] Run MODULE 7 interview prep for top target role
[ ] Practice answers out loud (record yourself if possible)
[ ] Prepare 3 questions to ask interviewers
[ ] Pick out interview outfit, plan commute/logistics

DAY 7 — REVIEW + PLAN NEXT WEEK
[ ] Count applications submitted this week (goal: 5–10 for high urgency)
[ ] Assess response rate — adjust target roles if needed
[ ] Celebrate progress (seriously — this is hard work)
[ ] Set next week's application, network, and follow-up targets

APPLICATION LOG SCHEMA

Use this to track progress (or generate a CSV):

DateCompanyJob TitleSourceContactSubmittedFollowed UpStatus

DAILY MINIMUMS BY URGENCY

UrgencyApplications/dayFollow-ups/weekNetworking contacts/week
High3–553–5
Medium1–22–32–3
Low111–2

STC RESOURCE REMINDERS

Encourage user to check with case manager for:

  • Resume review services
  • Mock interview scheduling
  • Job fair calendars
  • Training vouchers or certifications
  • Transportation or childcare support for interviews

MISSOURI-SPECIFIC DAILY RESOURCES

Add to Day 1 of every plan:

  • Register at jobs.mo.gov (MoJobs account)
  • Locate nearest Missouri Job Center → jobs.mo.gov/find-a-job-center
  • Sign up for DSS OWCI LISTSERV if SNAP/TANF recipient (job fair + hiring event alerts)
  • Explore missouriconnections.org (career exploration + WorkKeys info)

Add to Day 3 (Networking):

  • Contact nearest Missouri Job Center about upcoming job fairs
  • Check if user qualifies for DVOP/CODL services (veterans) or SkillUP (SNAP recipients)
  • Research local Workforce Development Board (WDB) events in their region

Add to Day 4 (Skills):

  • Missouri Fast Track Scholarship application (dhe.mo.gov/fasttrack) if training is needed
  • WorkKeys assessment available free at Job Centers — schedule it
  • SkillUP enrollment if SNAP recipient

Add to Day 7 (Review):

  • Did user connect with a Job Center career advisor? (Priority action if not)
  • Are there any WIOA programs the user should be co-enrolled in?
  • Review jobs.mo.gov for new postings in target region

ST. LOUIS / METRO EAST REGIONAL NOTE

For users in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or Metro East (Swansea, Belleville, O'Fallon IL area):

  • St. Louis Region = 35% of all Missouri employment (1,056,400 workers)
  • Largest industries: Retail Trade (194,600+), Healthcare, Professional Services
  • High-growth sectors: Healthcare, IT, Professional Services, Construction
  • Cross-border employment (Illinois ↔ Missouri) is common and normal — do not limit job search to one state
  • St. Louis regional Job Centers serve city + county; Metro East (IL) served by Illinois workNet

Nonpartisan informational resource for Missouri — District 2 — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Source: dougdevitre/access-to-jobs.

Paid for by Matt Grant for Congress.