FREE JOB SEARCH AND PORTFOLIO LEARNING PATH

WikiFree original practice workbook

The career compass

CASE STATUS: fictional/synthetic teaching material. Do not present the example as real research, employment experience or measured business performance.

OUTCOME
Build a targeted job-search pack with a role evidence matrix, honest resume bullets, one portfolio case study and a weekly application tracker.

BEFORE YOU START
A target role you can describe and one real learning or work project. A fictional sample is provided for practice; do not claim it as personal experience.

CASE
The fictional candidate Sam completed a volunteer event-registration project. The sample evidence includes a 40-row attendance tracker, documented checks and a handover guide. These are teaching facts about Sam, not accomplishments the learner may present as their own.

INPUTS
Target requirement,Sample evidence
Organize information,40-row registration tracker
Check accuracy,Recorded duplicate and missing-field checks
Communicate clearly,A short handover guide
Collaborate,Documented reviewer feedback


ENTRY CHECK

Question: Can a course title replace evidence of a skill?

Self-check: It can support learning context, but a concrete example is stronger.

Question: May you invent a metric to improve a resume bullet?

Self-check: No.

Question: Should every application use an unchanged generic summary?

Self-check: Tailor it honestly to the role requirements.

STAGE 1: Choose a target and map evidence

Prerequisite: A target role you can describe and one real learning or work project. A fictional sample is provided for practice; do not claim it as personal experience.

Instruction: Read a role description as a set of tasks and requirements. Map each important requirement to a real example, a learning artifact or an acknowledged gap. Separate required from preferred qualifications. The aim is an honest fit assessment, not copying every keyword regardless of experience. Use the supplied fictional role only for practice if you have no selected vacancy yet.

Practice task: Create a five-row requirement/evidence/gap matrix for one target role.

Deliverable: A role evidence matrix.

Acceptance check: Every claimed skill points to actual evidence or is explicitly marked as a gap.

If stuck: Do not describe a planned project as completed experience.

Record your work, decisions and evidence:




Record your result against the acceptance check:



STAGE 2: Write accurate accomplishment bullets

Prerequisite: Bring your previous output: A role evidence matrix.

Instruction: A useful bullet names the action, the work context and a supported result. Numbers help when measured, but invented percentages weaken credibility. For the sample candidate, built a 40-row tracker is supportable; increased efficiency by 70% is not. Keep the learner own experience separate from the fictional demonstration.

Practice task: Draft five bullets from your actual evidence or label them as fictional practice. Remove claims you cannot substantiate.

Deliverable: A targeted resume section.

Acceptance check: Every number and outcome can be traced to a source or is removed.

If stuck: Replace unsupported impact with a precise description of the artifact and its use.

Record your work, decisions and evidence:




Record your result against the acceptance check:



STAGE 3: Build one portfolio case study

Prerequisite: Bring your previous output: A targeted resume section.

Instruction: A case study should explain the problem, your role, constraints, decisions, artifact and what you learned. Show only material you have permission to share and use synthetic data where necessary. A polished screenshot without explanation makes it hard to judge your contribution. Link the artifact to the role requirement it demonstrates.

Practice task: Write a 500–700 word case study with one artifact image or link and a limitations/reflection section.

Deliverable: An honest portfolio case study.

Acceptance check: The case separates your contribution from team work and avoids exposing private data.

If stuck: Do not imply sole ownership of work performed by others.

Record your work, decisions and evidence:




Record your result against the acceptance check:



STAGE 4: Organize applications and follow-up

Prerequisite: Bring your previous output: An honest portfolio case study.

Instruction: A tracker makes next actions visible: role, source, date, status, evidence version and follow-up date. Avoid measuring success only by application volume. Track fit and the quality of the submitted evidence. Draft follow-ups for review but do not send them as part of this exercise. Use realistic weekly capacity so the plan can be sustained.

Practice task: Create a tracker with five sample rows and a weekly review routine. Add a status definition for each stage.

Deliverable: An application tracker and weekly plan.

Acceptance check: Every active row has a next action and date, and fictional rows are clearly marked.

If stuck: Do not mark an application submitted when only a draft exists.

Record your work, decisions and evidence:




Record your result against the acceptance check:



STAGE 5: Prepare to discuss the evidence

Prerequisite: Bring your previous output: An application tracker and weekly plan.

Instruction: An interview answer should connect a relevant example to the question, explain your action and describe the supported result. Prepare to discuss trade-offs and mistakes, not just the polished artifact. If you lack a direct example, say so and explain a related learning exercise without presenting it as employment experience.

Practice task: Write three evidence-based answer outlines and rehearse one aloud. Record one revision after self-review.

Deliverable: A portfolio discussion and interview practice sheet.

Acceptance check: Answers remain consistent with the resume and accurately describe the source of experience.

If stuck: Do not turn a hypothetical answer into a claimed past achievement.

Record your work, decisions and evidence:




Record your result against the acceptance check:



WORKED CASE
A supportable sample bullet is: Built and checked a 40-row event-registration tracker and wrote a handover guide for volunteers. It describes evidence without inventing a percentage improvement or paid employment history.

FINAL PROJECT
Deliver the role matrix, resume section, case study, tracker and answer outlines. Run a consistency check so dates, role descriptions and results agree across all five artifacts.

REQUIRED CRITICAL CHECK
All accomplishments are truthful, and the fictional sample is never presented as the learner own experience.

SCORING
Score each of the five stage acceptance checks from 0–16 (0 missing/incorrect; 8 partially supported; 16 complete and evidenced). Score the final integrated project from 0–20 (0 missing; 10 incomplete handover; 20 complete, reproducible and consistent with the case). Target: at least 80/100 AND the critical check must pass. A total score never overrides a failed critical check.

SCOPE LIMIT
This builds a job-search pack, not a job placement promise, credential or automated application service.

SOURCES AND ACCESS
Assigned public videos can be watched free. Complete the original case in a text editor, on paper or in a spreadsheet you already have. No paid course, exam or provider certificate is included.

Free Career Planning Course: Goals, Networking and Job Search
WikiFree: https://wikifree.com/courses/free-career-planning-course-goals-networking-and-job-search/
Official source: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR
Why selected: Google public career lessons support goal setting, job research, resumes, portfolios, tracking and interview preparation.

Stage 1 selected lessons:

2. How to Reach Your Career Goals (8:20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fAWtSkiFio&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=2

17. How To Use Research To Find The Right Job (5:37)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYtNknYCG8Q&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=18

Stage 2 selected lessons:

7. How To Write A Resume That Stands Out (12:33)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgH4LOkPhBk&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=8

8. Tips for your Resume, Cover Letter, and Job Interview (9:41)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUTWV5VhPxs&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=9

Stage 3 selected lessons:

15. Highlight Jobs and Work Experience On Your Resume (5:10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLHRw1DTOd8&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=16

16. How a Personal Brand Can Help Your Career (5:37)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq7tR3NMl_8&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=17

Stage 4 selected lessons:

3. Track Your Job Search Using Google Sheets (3:52)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZqDOEpZzkM&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=3

13. Turn Your Career Plan Into Action (5:44)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIF5N8yVgGg&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=14

Stage 5 selected lessons:

9. How to Research and Prepare for Your Next Job Interview (6:58)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N3a-sr1Cjs&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=10

10. How to Make a Great Impression During a Job Interview (7:09)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIsJIL40bKA&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6qTVM3d1JZFsJZbv1HtY7fR&index=11

REUSE
Original WikiFree teaching text and synthetic fixtures are supplied for personal learning and adaptation with attribution. Provider lessons remain on their original sites and retain their own terms. No provider certificate is included.