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Looking for a job? Whether you are chaging careers, been fired or let go, a victum of downsizing, whatever, looking for a job can be a daunting task. Where do you begin?

First, decide if you want to stay in your previous field or totally change careers and go down another path. If you have been unhappy and losing your preious job felt like a burden lifted off your shoulders, then maybe it's time to do something different, more challening and more fun!

I was recently unemployed for 8 months and was completely open to a new career. I had worked in the same capacity for over 30 years with various companies and was ready for a change.

Being 52 years old didn't help my search - seems companies want the cute, little recent college graduates. Here I way, never miss work, no sick kids to stay home with, never sick, loyal, honest, etc. But that didn't seem to make a difference.

First on the agenda was to create a catchy resume listing all of your accomplishments. In this day and time I think you have to be creative and stand apart from the crowd....I put my name, address, etc. on the top left side of my resume and a picture of myself (a headshot only) on the right side. I had never seen a resume like that and thought it might catch an eye or two.

I also signed up with local job search engines that would send me, via email, jobs I was interested in. I could respond to them online for the most part, but some had to be faxed, so a fax machine is a good idea to have at your home. I bought a refurbished one at Office Depot for $50 and it works like a charm (also makes copies.) I also found out that if a job is advertised online employers end up getting approximately 100-150 resumes....tough competition!

I also reverted to faxing resumes to companies that were not advertising for positions....hoping to beat others to the punch line!

There is something to be said for "pounding the pavement" although it takes time and energy. The employer gets to see you in person and the odds of remembering you increase.

Networking - letting all your friends and family know you are looking helps. Knowing someone in a company can help in getting your foot in the door also.

So, get out of your box, don't be shy and get the job you want.

By the way, I did find a job I absolutely love and at a company where there is room to advance.