At some point in our lives, we have faced a crossroads with a career change. Whether its by choice or by necessity. If you haven't been looking for a job in a long time, a lot has changed...but some of the golden rules still apply.
Here I am typing the shorter version...if I get positive feedback, I may expand on it and perhaps do a youtube video.
Let's start with you the brand...how valuable are you? Any unique, niche skills? How good is your resume? Where do you have your resume posted? You get my point. Here is what works: Have a current formatted resume. Some recruiting agencies will say only the last 10-15 years are worth mentioning. But it depends on the position. I have gotten jobs with paperwork where I have listed all my experience.
Be prepared to make less...if you hold out for comparable money, it most cases it will take a lot longer. You will then face the dilemma of having no good job for over a year...then the interviews become harder to get. There are exceptions to the rule. But we are competing against younger people who may have more skills, more free time and are cheaper....
Network....talk to people. Don't have a good network? Haven't talked to industry contacts in a very long time? Don't sweat it. Learn from it and hit the ground running. Reach out to friends...they know people. Go to trade shows with paperwork in hand ready for an interview on the spot. Get business cards...of yourself..with skills highlighted and contact information. And make sure you have a smart phone...it looks like you are low tech when you do not have. Be prepared to sell your house and move. Not a popular family decision but you may have to go where the work is.
Use social media: Monster and Linkedin I have found are the most successful. I recently landed a position by posting my resume on Monster. I have networked with recruiters on Linkedin and that has produced interviews also. There are more job search sites, like Indeed, but I have not found those producing interviews. Ladders is a paid job site, but it tends to have good jobs also...
Be tenacious..its hyper competitive now, don't worry so much about all the what ifs, just seize the moment when it arises. Don't put job applying off for tomorrow. Set a goal to try and post for 3-5 jobs a day. BTW it takes probably one hour per job if you want to do it right.
Some days will be long and you will make the short list for several jobs but will not get the final offer. I have heard 50:1, 75:1 ratios of people applying until they get a comparable job. Don't relax once you have made the short list. Keep going, and keep interviewing even after you have found a job. I read an article about a person who always has 1-2 interviews going when they are employed full time.
Hopefully this summary jolts you out of the denial phase and motivates you to get started. Good luck!
tillman40