I have worked with thousands of people who need to change careers and find jobs. The following suggestions relate to before losing a job:

- Learn job search skills before you have to use them. Learn what it takes to market your skills and experiences.- Keep your resume current. The best time to update a resume is three to six months after you start a new job or an assignment.

- Have food storage and money reserves. Make a financial assessment to know what you could live on during unemployment.

Concerning what to do during unemployment:

- Be visible. Build your network of contacts, including family, friends, former colleagues, doctors, customers and vendors, etc.

- Use resources in your community. In addition to government Employment Development Departments (EDD), use organizations that provide job search assistance.

- Be in tune with the Spirit and follow it. Get a blessing, study the scriptures, read your patriarchal blessing, attend the temple, pray and ponder.

- Take care of yourself. Get regular exercise and sleep. Eat healthfully and drink plenty of water.

- Coach your family. Most spouses and children do not know what to say and often say the wrong thing. Build on positive experiences and comments.

- Realize finding a job is a full-time job. The longer you postpone starting your job search, the harder it will be.

- Never give up on yourself.

- Count your blessings, not your problems. Express gratitude for what you have. - Helena Hannonen, Santa Clara, Calif.

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What we did:

Thought she was prepared

I thought I had prepared myself economically for all possibilities of unemployment. I had a master's degree, had a savings account established for six months of cash outlay, paid off any debts and started planning for my retirement. It was then after 10 years I found my position eliminated. Nothing could have prepared me for the fear, when after 18 months, I am still without gainful employment.

The Church welfare system, the bishop, my visiting teacher and my home teacher have been my iron rod. Every day, I actively pursue work by sending out resumes, networking and following up with leads. I have learned how to pray with a righteous purpose and I have learned how to let go and let the Lord lead me to do what He wants me to do. At this time, I am selling my house. I am learning how unimportant materialism is in life. - Jody Riddick-Sjostrom, Richfield, Ohio

Relied on Lord

When my husband experienced a year of unemployment in 1993, we learned to rely more on the Lord. Here are some of the things that helped us:

- Have daily prayer. This brought us peace.

- Be grateful. We found we had all we needed, and we never felt deprived.

- Pay an honest tithe. As we paid an honest tithe on any earnings, we found that blessings were poured out upon us.

- Continue to serve in Church callings. My husband continued to serve faithfully in the bishopric.

While unemployment is certainly a time of trial, it can also increase faith and bring great blessings. - Cathy Hockins, Camarillo, Calif.

Pay tithing

- Pay tithing. Paying our tithing has given us the assurance that, whatever our obstacles may be, our Heavenly Father will help us to have the means to provide for our family.

- Attend the temple often. It is so easy to become discouraged by the job-hunting process. The temple can help to put your problems in perspective.

- Go about business as usual. Even though there may not be a job to go to each day, get up and do something positive to improve your situation. Never give up on yourself or allow yourself to dwell negatively on the situation.

- Take advantage of Church employment services. Your ward employment specialist can help put you in touch with job leads as well as help you focus your efforts to update your training and improve your skills.

- Pray often. Nothing has brought greater comfort than sincere and earnest prayer. - Diane and Jay Dee Cahoon, Clinton, Utah

Cut expenses

Surviving a period of unemployment is similar to enduring any other tribulation. Among the essentials are:

- Ask, "What am I supposed to learn from this?" rather than, "Why me?"

- Realistically look at expenditures to see what is extra and can be cut until finances improve.

- Use the extra time constructively. - JoCarol Hamilton, Arlington, Texas

Have reserve funds

It's a good idea to have a reserve fund to draw from in the event of an unexpected expense, not only the loss of a job, but also a serious medical problem or a major household repair. But remember, your emergency fund is a savings account, not a checking account. Once you put money in, don't take it out unless it's truly an emergency.

However, your emergency fund should allow easy access to your money. Many savings and investment plans that pay a good rate of return have heavy withdrawal penalties. Money market funds may be a good savings instrument for your emergency fund because they offer a fairly competitive rate of return, easy access to your money and even check-writing privileges in some cases. - Frederick J. Golebiowski, Hinesville, Ga.

Continue to work hard

In July 1992, I lost my job of 10 years. It took us until March 1995 to secure adequate employment. Here are some coping suggestions:

- Get priesthood blessings. My wife and I both had hands laid upon us from the first day I was laid off and prior to important interviews and follow-up actions.

- Be constant in honoring your calling. Being active in Church responsibilities was of great benefit directly as well as through the association with others.

- Do volunteer work. Through working with the Boy Scouts, I could do meaningful service and associate with friends.

- Work hard at maintaining the house and yard.

- Take on odd jobs that may pay little, but which provide meaningful constructive activity as well as some cash.

- Listen to good music.

- Nurture your relationship as husband and wife. Listen, be honest, share.

- Recognize your responsibility to find work.

- Fast for timely specifics, not just the need to find a job. - R. Dennis Bates, Gilbert, Ariz.

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How to checklist:

1 Seek Lord's guidance; pray, study gospel, attend temple, fulfill calling, pay tithing.

2 Access Church, community employment resources.

3 Make finding a job your job, never give up; do something constructive daily.

4 Count your blessings; nurture relationships.

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WRITE TO US:

March 1 "How to dress on a limited budget."

March 8 "How to commemorate the pioneer sesquicentennial in your personal life."

March 15 "How to overcome obstacles to serving a mission as a retired couple."

March 22 "How to prepare spiritually and emotionally for death of loved one."

March 29 "How to place people above tasks."

April 5 "How to help children benefit from general conference."

April 12 "How to break the habit of being late."

- Also interested in letters on these topics: "How to be more patient with your children," "How to foster positive communication in your family."

Had any good experiences or practical success in any of the above subjects? Share them with our readers in about 100-150 words. Write the "How-to" editor, Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, send fax to (801) 237-2121 or use internet E-mail: forum@desnews.com. Please include a name and phone number. Contributions may be edited or excerpted and will not be returned. Due to limited space, some contributions may not be used; those used should not be regarded as official Church doctrine or policy. Material must be received at least 12 days before publication date.