November 6, 2026

Job Searching: Small Steps, Big Impact

Written By: Michelle Wood, Individualized Employment Facilitator – Autism Nova Scotia

Job searching can be tiring and is much like a job in itself, but without the pay cheque. Even though finding a job can feel like a huge undertaking, there are ways to break the process down into smaller steps that feel more manageable.

Breaking Down the Steps – Where to Start

Breaking things down into smaller steps may look different for everyone, and that’s okay! The goal is to make the process feel less overwhelming so that a person doesn’t burn themselves out before finding a job. To help with this, I’m going to outline some examples of how people at different stages of their job searches can break the process down into smaller, more manageable steps.

A good starting point is to ask, “What am I looking for, and why?” One person might be looking for their first job and want to gain experience to add to their resume. Someone else may already be working in a particular career and be looking for a change to find something that better suits their life. Whatever the reason, it’s valid and should be considered throughout the job search process.

Writing a Resume for the First Time?

Let’s say someone is creating a resume for the first time. How do they know where to start? Have they seen a resume before, or are they familiar with what is expected in a particular career?

In this case, a first step could be to find out what type of resume would be the best fit.

Skills-Based Resume – Focuses on your skills, strengths and abilities rather than your work history. This format can be helpful for people who are new to the workforce, changing careers or have limited work experience.

Chronological Resume – Highlights your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. This format is often a good fit for people with several years of experience in the same field or a consistent work history.

Once they know what type of resume they are creating, they can focus on adding the information they already have.

Not Sure What to Include?

A resume typically begins with contact information, including a person’s full name, city and province, email address, and phone number. The next section could be a brief objective explaining what they are looking for, followed by a summary of their relevant skills.

Other sections can highlight work experience, volunteer experience, and community involvement, depending on the person’s background. A resume could also include education and achievements, such as certificates or community awards.

One small step could be adding contact information, since this information is likely to stay the same across different resumes. Someone might also be unsure what to include in the skills section, especially if they haven’t worked before. In this case, their first small step could be looking up examples of how to list skills when they have no previous work experience.

Another helpful step could be learning about transferable skills. These are skills developed through life experiences that can be applied in different situations. Looking at examples of transferable skills can help someone recognize skills they already have.

Examples of Transferable Skills

• Communication – Sharing information, listening to others, writing emails or explaining instructions.
• Organization – Managing schedules, keeping track of tasks and maintaining organized spaces.
• Time Management – Prioritizing responsibilities, meeting deadlines and balancing multiple tasks.
• Teamwork – Working collaboratively, supporting colleagues and contributing to shared goals.
• Problem-Solving – Finding solutions, adapting to challenges and thinking through different options.
• Adaptability – Learning new tasks, adjusting to changes and working in different environments.
• Attention to Detail – Following instructions, checking work for accuracy and noticing important details.
• Customer Service – Helping others, answering questions and responding to people’s needs.
• Leadership – Taking initiative, supporting others and helping coordinate activities.
• Technology – Using computers, email, online platforms and digital tools.
• Reliability – Arriving on time, following through on responsibilities and completing assigned tasks.

Is Time a Concern?

I also want to acknowledge that some people may need to find a job as soon as possible. Given the current economic situation, this is likely a reality for many. For those in this situation, reaching out for additional support may be helpful.

Even if someone needs to take a position to help pay the bills, they can still use the approach of breaking the process down into smaller steps. They might need to wait until a day off to work on their job search, or they could try to complete one or two steps each day after finishing work.

Breaking the process down into small steps might make it feel like finding a job will take a long time. However, dedicating time to one small task can make the process feel more manageable and achievable. A person might be able to complete several small steps each day, while someone else might need a little longer, and that’s okay. Every small step adds up and can make a big impact.

Looking for Support with Your Job Search?

You don’t have to navigate the job search process alone. Autism Nova Scotia’s Economic Inclusion team offers support to help Autistic individuals explore employment opportunities, build job search skills, and work toward their employment goals.

Visit our Economic Inclusion webpage to learn more about our programs and services.