Resources

Action and Commitment

Choose roles and act out the following.

GROUP MEMBER 1: We believe in making and keeping commitments. In our self-reliance groups, everything we do is built around making commitments and reporting.

GROUP MEMBER 2: At the end of a group meeting, we review our actions for the week and add our signature to show our commitment. We also choose an “action partner.” The action partner signs our workbook to pledge support. And each day between meetings, we contact our action partner to report on our actions and to get help when needed.

GROUP MEMBER 3: Between meetings, we mark our progress in the workbook and use the tools provided, such as worksheets or other forms. And if we need extra help, we can call on our families, our friends, or the facilitator.

GROUP MEMBER 4: At the beginning of our next meeting, we return and report on our commitments. This should be a comfortable, powerful experience for everyone. As each group member reports, think about how he or she was helped by making commitments and reporting progress.

GROUP MEMBER 1: The first time I reported on my commitments, I thought, “This is strange.” Why would my group members care about what I did? But then I found out that they did care. And that helped me.

GROUP MEMBER 2: I realized that I didn’t want to let my group down. So I really worked hard to keep my commitments. I’m not sure I would have made regular progress any other way. Reporting at each meeting really helped me with my priorities.

GROUP MEMBER 3: When I thought about my path to self-reliance, I was scared because it was such a big thing. But the group meetings helped me break it down into small steps. And I reported on each step to my group. Then I made real progress. I think this success resulted from building new habits.

Back to page 13

Accelerated Job Search (Optional Activity)

Study and apply these materials to speed up your job search! You could work on this with your family, a group member, or another friend or mentor.

“Rafael: Job in 6 Days!” (To see the video, go to srs.lds.org.)

Discuss:What helped Rafael succeed with his job search?

Read:The Accelerated Job Search is a powerful daily job-search strategy. In some areas, this approach has reduced the time to find a job from 200 days to 20 days! It requires intense effort. It includes three daily activities:

• Identify 15 new resources.

• Make 10 contacts.

• Have 2 face-to-face meetings or interviews.

“Daily Job Search: Resources” (To see the video, go to srs.lds.org, or read the following.)

• Through the scriptures, we are taught that “men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will. … For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves.” And this commandment comes with a promise: “Inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward” (D&C 58:27–28).

• Effective job seekers understand that the “power is in them,” and God will help them as they become “anxiously engaged.” Specifically, we will discuss one proven job-search strategy with three parts. It’s called the Accelerated Job Search.

• First, successful job seekers learn to identify 15 new resources daily. Second, they make 10 contacts each day. And third, they hold at least 2 face-to-face meetings or interviews each day.

• At first, the Accelerated Job Search approach might seem overwhelming. But as we discuss each element, you will see that it really is possible—and successful!

• Let’s start with resources. What is a resource? A resource is a person, place, or thing that can help lead a job seeker to a potential opportunity.

• People could include friends and family, Church members and leaders, employers or co-workers, school teachers and career counselors, people at the store—virtually anyone who can provide you with useful job information and additional resources.

• Places include chambers of commerce, local ministries of employment, and civic or professional associations. Each of these offers information that can help.

• And things that will enhance your search include business and telephone directories, company web pages, the Internet, trade journals and magazines, newspapers, and other media outlets.

• Make a list of at least 15 of these every day!

Practice:Divide a piece of paper into three columns. Write “Resources,” “Contacts,” and “Meetings” at the top of the columns. Start to fill out this paper right now by listing as many resources as you can in the first column. These are people, places, and things that have information to help you! Here are some examples. You’ll fill out the other columns later.

RESOURCES (make a list)	CONTACTS (phone, email)	MEETINGS (face-to-face)
Internet sites	Quorum or Relief Society members	Potential employers
Newspapers	People you have worked with	Home teachers
Employment	Teachers	Church members
Self-reliance center	People you meet at a store

“Daily Job Search: Contacts” (To see the video, go to srs.lds.org, or read the following.)

• Now, let’s talk about contacts. A contact is not just sending a résumé or filling out an application. From all the resources you have identified, you just need to make 10 employment-related contacts.

• Contacts include any employment-related interaction you have with people: applying for a job; sending a résumé or a thank-you note; telling friends, family, and Church members that you are looking for work—text messages or emails work. You can also interact with other networking contacts and, of course, potential employers. Look for different opportunities to interact with people and let them know you are looking for work. Most people will gladly introduce you to other people they know. These connections lead to interviews, which lead to jobs!

Practice:Now, use your paper to list as many people as possible who you might contact before our next meeting. Remember—do not be embarrassed. Find a way to do 10 a day!

“Daily Job Search: Meetings” (To see the video, go to srs.lds.org, or read the following.)

• Finally, effective job seekers have learned the value of actually meeting with at least two people, face to face, each day. This may be your most valuable action of each day. Why? Face-to-face meetings or interviews allow better communication and understanding. People often “speak” mostly through body language and facial expressions. And these nonverbal messages do not make it through email or over the phone. In person, people can see and feel just how great you are!

• Also, face-to-face meetings often allow you to see and feel the environment where you might work. You can observe how people interact, how friendly or happy they are, the success of the organization, what needs or opportunities there are, and how you might meet those needs. Interviews of any kind are great opportunities!

• Now, not all face-to-face meetings every day need to be with potential employers. You can also meet with other contacts, including friends, family, and friends of friends, as well as secretaries, teachers, counselors, or other people who do the type of job you want to have. Just meet with people! Give them your “me in 30 seconds” and use the ending question to ask for job leads and more people to meet. Keep trying, selling your value, and asking for help and advice. Great things will happen!

• This is the Accelerated Job Search! Each day, if you identify 15 resources and make 10 contacts, having 2 face-to-face meetings will be easy. You will be amazed at how this speeds up your job search! Do it with great faith, and doors will open you never thought possible.

Practice:Now use your paper to list as many people as possible whom you might meet with face to face before our next meeting. Think about when and where you can meet them. Remember to use your “me in 30 seconds” at each meeting.

“Daily Job Search: Putting It All Together” (To see the video, go to srs.lds.org, or read the following.)

• The three parts of the Accelerated Job Search are not separate activities. As you act, you’ll see that resources are everywhere. Start each day by adding to your list. And as you do, you will think of ways to contact people, and contacts lead naturally to meetings.

• Your self-reliance group is a great source of resources, contacts, and meetings. So are fellow members of the Church, neighbors, or colleagues at work. Keep adding resources as you make contacts. Ask for more contacts when you have face-to-face meetings. Ask for more interviews with everyone you meet.

• Use your “me in 30 seconds” statement. The Accelerated Job Search is possible, and it can be fun once you get started. So don’t wait. Talk with everyone. Always seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy. Keep good records and follow up. As you move, the Lord will show you the way.

Practice:Now look at your paper. What will you do first? Make a plan to find resources, make contacts, and hold face-to-face meetings every day. Decide when you can do it, and ask your family or action partner to help you.

Keep track of your progress with the chart on the next page. Keep track of your contacts with the Contact Follow-Up Form on page 20. Make plenty of copies.

Accelerated Job Search Tracking Form

Check the boxes as you complete each action and add notes.

DAY 1
Resources: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Contacts: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Meetings: □ □	Daily Total
Notes:

DAY 2
Resources: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Contacts: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Meetings: □ □	Daily Total
Notes:

DAY 3
Resources: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Contacts: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Meetings: □ □	Daily Total
Notes:

DAY 4
Resources: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Contacts: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Meetings: □ □	Daily Total
Notes:

DAY 5
Resources: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Contacts: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □	Daily Total
Meetings: □ □	Daily Total
Notes:

Contact Follow-Up Form
Contact

Person or organization:

Telephone:

Address:

Email:

I was referred by:

I contacted this person

• Yes

• No

Date:

Items discussed:

1.

2.

3.

Follow-up activities:

1.

Complete by (date):

2.

Complete by (date):

3.

Complete by (date):

New referrals:

1. Name:

Telephone:

Fax:

Email:

Address:

2. Name:

Telephone:

Fax:

Email:

Address: