I'm being streamlined...again

I've been streamlined about 4 times in my career and each time, I was able to find another job, still staying with my same employer. I've been with the same employer for over 21 years. They reorganized again and I had to interview for my job on "Friday the 13th". Needless to say, the interview did not go as I expected and the newly structured management did not select me to go further in the competition. I have received my notice for November 30th, 2006. I am really hurt about this, but can't share it with my family, as I am afraid to get everyone else worried. I need to find a new career. My background is in Finance, Administration and Information Technology. I am a 5th level Certified General Accountant and I have completed all of the courses of the Certified Netware Engineer program under Netware 4.11 Administration. I also have training and experience in project management. Any advice, from experienced job searches, would be greatly appreciated. I've been "out of the market" for over two decades and surely could use some good advice right now. Help me discover "what I want to be when I grow up". LOL Thanks Karen G

Karen, Well first of all, I am sorry to hear your employer is doing that to you... My mom is also going thru the same thing right now... She's been with her employer for 16 years and they are "downsizing" and she's out the door at the end of this month... She's worried about finding another job too... Things are sure tough all over.... Honestly Karen, you shouldn't have a problem finding another job with your experiences... But expect that the employers will not be willing to pay you as much as you may be making currently... That will be the biggest issue you will likely face in the job search... I know this from experience... I am definitely not getting paid what I am worth with education & work experience... Of course, the area in which I live is pretty economically depressed so that has something to do with it too I am sure... Here are some suggestions for you to prepare: 1. Start looking now at what there is in your area of Canada in the way of jobs in your field and start applying. You can try to look up salary info on salary.com so you know what you're worth in the area and who is paying fairly and who's not... 2. Be sure to update your resume (include your skills & certifications on there) 3. Always, always, always send a cover letter in with your resume. It works! But don't use a general one. Personalize it to the company you are applying to. 4. Do your research on the company you are applying to and know as much as you can (i.e. the CEO, the HR head honcho, etc.). The more you know the better off you will be when it comes to personalizing both your resume & cover letter to the employer. I learned a lot of these techniques in a class I took in my last semester of college and it has helped me out a great deal... Every time I sent in a cover letter, I got an interview usually... The jobs where I only sent in the resume I usually didn't hear back... So it has seemed to make a difference for me... Well, I hope that helped you somewhat... I'm pullin' for ya and have no doubt you'll find something else... Keep your chin up hon.... Chelle

Thanks for the tips. I'm following your suggestions and I hope to be successful. The company I work for is rumoured to be offering me an extension to March 30, 2007. I hope that is true, as it will give me ample time to prepare mentally, emotionally and financially. In the meantime, I'm going to continue my search. Thanks Karen G