Learn—Maximum Time: 45 Minutes

Activity (5 minutes)

Everyone stand up. Talk with at least three other group members, and share with each other an experience in which you told someone you were looking for work or perhaps approached a potential employer in person. What were the results?

Discuss:What did you learn from each other’s experiences?

Read:A successful job search follows a simple formula:

Act in Faith + Work Hard + Work Smart = Success

In the previous chapter, you learned about faith and hard work. In this chapter, we will start learning the skills to work smart. We will begin with networking.

Josh’s Job Search

Read:Josh has been finding all of his job leads online or with employment agencies. However, he has had almost no success, and most of the time he hasn’t heard anything back. He is convinced there is a better way to find a job. He has heard about things like networking but isn’t sure what that is about or how to start.

Discuss:How does your job search experience compare with Josh’s?

1. How People Really Get Jobs

Read:You will find work more quickly if you look in the most effective ways.

Watch:“How Jobs Are Really Filled,” available at srs.lds.org/videos. (No video? Read page 35.)

How Jobs are Really Filled

Read:Compare these two graphs.

Discuss:What would change in your job search if you networked more?

2. Talk to Everyone

Read:Networking is the best way to find a job. Networking means talking to people who can help you find people and organizations that need your skills. Talk to everyone about looking for work. People will help you. President Spencer W. Kimball said: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs” (“Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, Dec. 1974, 5).

Sometimes you need to network through many layers to find the person with the information you need. Networking through layers means asking people to give you the names of other people who may have information that could help you. You can network in person, over the phone, or by email. You can also use professional and social networking websites.

Activity (2 minutes)

This is a competition! Whoever lists the most potential contacts wins.

Step 1: Set a timer for 60 seconds. When the facilitator says go, each of you write down as many people or possible employers as you can think of. Use the contact list in your phone, your social media connections, the internet, and more.

Ready, set, go!

Potential Contacts

Step 2: Count up your lists. Who had the most? He or she is the winner!

Tip:Each person and business you just wrote down counts toward your daily goal of identifying resources.

Discuss:

• What could happen if you talked to each of these people and businesses about what job you’re looking for?

• What if you talked to all of the other people you know?

3. Me in 30 Seconds

Read:Networking with others works best if you know what to say. A Me in 30 Seconds is the best tool for contacting people or businesses. It helps people understand what job you’re looking for and how they can help. It follows these four steps.

Tip:Possible Me in 30 Seconds Questions

• Who would you recommend I talk with?

• What opportunities do you know of for someone like me?

• What do you know about (company, industry)?

• What businesses are in the area that are looking for (job type or position)?

• Who do you know who does what I do?

Josh’s Job Search

Read:Here is how Josh used his Me in 30 Seconds to network with his uncle David. Note the four parts in action.

“Uncle David, this is your nephew ➀ Josh. How are you? Do you have a minute? You may not have known this, but ➁ I am looking for a new job in computer support. ➂ I have two years of experience and carry several technical certifications. With my last company, I was named the top service technician because of my efficiency. I am good at what I do and enjoy it. ➃ Who do you know who I could contact about opportunities?”

Activity (5–8 minutes)

Now you are going to create your own Me in 30 Seconds and practice it.

Step 1: Each of you write the four parts of your Me in 30 Seconds in the spaces below:

Step 2: Once you have each written your Me in 30 Seconds, stand up one by one and introduce yourselves with your Me in 30 Seconds statement. Assign someone to time each introduction so you know how close to 30 seconds you are. Clap and cheer after each introduction.

Read:In the previous chapter, we learned about contacts. Remember, a contact is any employment communication with a resource. Not all contacts are created equal. The more personal you can make your contacts, the more effective they will be. Talking face-to-face with someone is more effective than an email or a text. At least two of your daily contacts should be face-to-face. That is why a Me in 30 Seconds can be so powerful.

Your Me in 30 Seconds is one of the job search skills that allows you to work smart. You know you have a good Me in 30 Seconds when it consistently leads to the help you need. Practice your Me in 30 Seconds often and get feedback. Let’s start right now!

Activity (5 minutes)

Step 1: Everyone stand up and divide into two lines facing each other.

Step 2: Share your Me in 30 Seconds with the person across from you.

Step 3: Quickly give each other feedback:

• Did your partner share what job he or she is looking for?

• Did your partner share why he or she is good at it?

• Did your partner ask for help? How?

• Was it close to 30 seconds?

Step 4: Everyone in one line then moves down one person. The person on the end rotates to the beginning of the line. The other line does not move. Repeat steps 1–3 until you have shared your Me in 30 Seconds with everyone and received feedback.

Discuss:How would networking with your Me in 30 Seconds be an act of faith?

Activity (5 minutes)

Step 1: Each of you pick a person from your potential contacts list on page 28 and call him or her. Share your Me in 30 Seconds with him or her and see what happens.

Step 2: Come back together as a group and share your experiences.

Conclusion

Watch:“Basketball Got Me a Job,” available at srs.lds.org/videos. (No video? Read page 36.)

Basketball Got Me a Job

Discuss:What are the most important things you learned from this chapter?

Read:A successful job search follows this formula:

Act in Faith + Work Hard + Work Smart = Success

Networking takes faith and hard work. Networking is also a smarter way to find a job, and you now have a great tool, Me in 30 Seconds, to help you get started. The Lord has promised, “Open your mouths and they shall be filled” (D&C 33:8). Now go out and make networking a daily part of your job search.

For more advanced networking ideas, read pages 197–202 in the appendix on your own this week.