Being let go from a job can be a devastating experience, and can cripple you both financially and emotionally. If you have been out of a job for a while and are ready to get back to work, it can be very difficult to know where and how to start. The longer you have been out of the job market, the more difficulty you will likely have when you are ready to start the search for a new career. There are some things to keep in mind that will help you find more jobs that you are qualified for and improve your chances of landing the one you want.

- Create a professional, attention-getting resume that sells you. Even if you are applying for a job that only requires an application, most potential employers will gladly receive a resume that gives them additional information to sell your qualifications. Resume styles vary over time, as well as in different job markets. It will be well worth the investment to hire a professional to write your resume for you. Make sure there is an Objective Line that tells your potential employers what it is you wish to accomplish. If you get your resume saved to disc, you can alter it to you're your needs in different job markets as you need them.

- Keep an open mind, and consider all of your options. If you have been working in the same field for twenty years, you may think that is the only type of work you can do. Sometimes people get a Master's Degree in a specific area and then end up working in a field that they had one class for. Consider any job experience you have had that you might enjoy working with. This can greatly increase your job market.

- Know your Long Term Goals. There's a big difference between looking for a job to pay the bills and searching for a career that will fulfill all of your needs and that you will hopefully be at for the rest of your working years. If you have had a layoff that has resulted in three months of unpaid bills, then you need to get to work and start bringing in some income. That's probably going to mean getting a job that has less desirable features than you would really like.

- Use your unemployment benefits wisely. If you have been let go through no fault of your own, you may be eligible to collect unemployment benefits, which can help give you the time you need to find a new job. If you are in no hurry to find the right job that will meet all of your needs, then you will be free to take your time and go to several interviews in order to find what you really want. Often, after a layoff, people will have to settle for working at a job while they are searching for a career. This can be difficult and may require you to go on interviews while you are working at the new, temporary job.

James Copper is a writer for http://www.targetedtraining.co.uk where you can find information on mcse courses.