How it works
What happens when you start.
About 15 minutes, one question at a time. You can take a break, skip a question, or stop whenever you want.
- What you’re good atWe start by asking about something at work you were good at or proud of. Then what you did day to day, and who you know. Skip anything.
- Your optionsWe lay out the paths honestly: training into a growing job, a job search now, or testing a business idea. You choose.
- Matching to programsFor a job path, we look at real Cleveland-area programs: what they pay, how long they take, what they cost, and who to call.
- Your planYou leave with one step for this week, the questions to ask, and the strengths you brought, in your own words.
The computer, honestly
The questions come from an AI program (Anthropic’s Claude). We gave it strict rules. Some things it simply can’t do; others are rules we give it, and like any AI it can slip, so tell us if it does.
What it does
- Asks questions and listens.
- Names the skills in what you’ve done.
- Shows real local programs, with where each fact came from and when we checked it.
- Helps you write a plan you can act on.
What it can’t do
- Make hiring or program-admission decisions about you.
- Sign you up for anything.
- Send your conversation to employers, programs or agencies.
What we tell it never to do
- Promise a job, a wage, or a spot in a program.
- Ask for ID numbers, or your health, record or addiction history.
- Score or rate you.
- Cheer you on without being honest.
When it gets something wrong
AI can make mistakes. Check important details, like dates, costs and eligibility, with the program itself. If you spot a mistake, email [email protected] and we’ll fix it. A daily automatic check confirms key facts for the two programs we name most (Towards Employment and Greater Cleveland Works), and we have a second AI from a different company review changes to the AI’s instructions before they go live.
Your conversation
We save it so you can come back on the same device. We never sell it or show it to employers, programs or case workers. You can delete it yourself anytime with the “Delete this conversation” link. Full privacy details
Common questions
Is First Footing free?
Yes. It’s free, with no sign-up and no ads, and we never sell what you tell us.
How long does it take?
About 15 minutes, one question at a time. You can take a break and come back on the same device.
Can it get me a job or into a program?
No. It can’t make hiring or program-admission decisions or sign you up. It helps you see your options and plan your next step, with real Cleveland programs and who to call.
Who sees my conversation?
It isn’t public, and we don’t share it with employers, programs or case workers. Anthropic’s AI processes it to write replies. You can delete it yourself anytime.
Does it work in Spanish?
Yes. Choose Español at the top of the page, or just write in Spanish and the conversation continues in Spanish.
Can I talk to a real person instead?
Yes. Greater Cleveland Works (the county’s OhioMeansJobs center) is at 216-777-8200, and Towards Employment is at 216-696-5750. We aren’t partners with either.
Rather talk to a person?
Greater Cleveland Works (the county’s OhioMeansJobs center), 1975 East 61st Street, 216-777-8200. Towards Employment, 216-696-5750. We aren’t partners with either; checked October 2026.