Surviving Unemployment - Tips from the Survivors

Hopefully this isn’t a trial that you are dealing with right now, but many in our ward and circle of acquaintances are. And even if you aren’t, you can never be too prepared for the future. Thanks to Becky J.and Cynthia A.for sharing advice gained from their own survival of unemployment.

Financially

• Get rid of all unnecessary spending. For example: internet, cell phones, cable, music lessons, sports, eating out, gym memberships, new clothes, etc.
• Avoid spending temptations – don’t go to stores or look at ads.
• Be willing to work anywhere while you look for the right job. Temporary jobs help pay the bills.
• Consider pulling money out of your 401k or retirement accounts.
• Have a garage sale or sell any big money items you own. For example: pianos, antiques, boats, RVs
• Use your food storage.
• Be creative in your entertainment. “We found joy in creativity. We explored new ways of using our food storage, disguised ourselves in costumes to teach our kids, learned new ways to make our resumes more exciting, and thought up creative free dates.”

Emotionally

• Be as self sufficient as possible, it will give you confidence in yourself.
• Take walks or other enjoyable and free stress relievers.
• Be honest when people ask how you are and know the friends that you can talk to for support.
• Remember your blessings and think positively.
• Don’t give up your dates and time together as a couple. Just get creative in how you accomplish them. The temple is always free.

Spiritually

• Keep up your spiritual routines—reading scriptures, prayer, Family Home Evening and attending church.
• Pay an honest tithing. The Lord will keep His promises.
• Pray often and honestly. Share your frustrations and specific needs with the Lord and let Him lighten your load.
• Go to the temple often and put your name on the prayer roll. “In the temple, we found great peace and realized that there is so much more to life than earning money. Sometimes when it was too hard to pray at home, I escaped to the temple, where it was much easier.”
• Serve in your calling faithfully.
• Trust in the Lord. He will abide by His promises, but on His time table.
• Meet with the bishop often and be honest about where you are at.

Tips on Finding a Job

• Maintain a daily routine. Get up early and work a full day, just like you have a job. It gives you a sense of normalcy and helps fight discouragement.
• Dress for the day and your job search, even if you are only at home on the internet or phone.
• Let people know you are looking for work. You're more likely to find a job when many people are helping you look for one. It’s not only what you know, but who you know that can help you find employment.
• Take advantage of all the resources available to you: the Ward Employment Specialist, LDS Employment Resource Service Centers (career classes and counseling), http://www.providentliving.org/, Department of Workforce Services and the library (free internet, books to help with resumes, job hunting, etc). These are just a few.
• Be flexible . . . about your job title, how much you want for wages or salary, benefits, and where you'll find work. You may end up finding work that is quite different from your previous job.
• Be organized. Use a 3-ring binder to keep track of jobs you have applied for and places you have left resumes. Refer to and follow up often.
• Be a supportive spouse by continuing to show love and confidence. Be careful at how involved you get: “I had to learn not to ask too many questions about the job hunt so I wouldn't come across as critical.”

If you want more information and tips, read these articles in past issues of the Ensign.

Joy K. Young, “Surviving Unemployment,” Ensign, Feb 1991, 42
Faye B. Woolley, “Our Unemployment Survival Kit,” Ensign, Jun 1985, 47
“Helping Marriage Survive Unemployment: Seven Principles,” Ensign, Apr 2004, 62