For Those Returning to Work
Things move very rapidly and you may find, when you begin your job search, that things have changed some since you last worked. If nothing has changed in your field, the process of getting a job probably has. Take your resume, for example. The last time you looked for a job, you may have used a typewriter to compose your resume. You may have written one resume and sent that out to everyone. Since it's so easy to use most word processing programs now, you can quickly put together separate resumes to target each job for which you are applying.
If you don't have access to a computer that can be used for job-hunting purposes, find one. There are several businesses that rent out computer work stations by the hour. Most offer high-speed Internet connections. You may spend more than you bargained for if you are there for an extended period of time, though. You may opt to sign up to use a computer at a public library. Many libraries have a number of computers set aside for public use (including some that have Internet access). Call ahead of time to find out the library's policies.
If you've been unemployed for a long time, computers may not have been a big part of your life at work. If your hiatus from work has been short, it's likely that computers were part of your life when you were employed. Even so, technology changes and you may not be familiar with some of the newer software out there. You may not be as familiar with using the Internet as you could be. If you're not computer literate at all, consider yourself substantially disadvantaged. To be adequately prepared for today's work force, take an introductory computer course. For a nominal fee, community colleges in your area can help you master most commonly used programs, like WordPerfect and Microsoft Word. If you're low on funds, ask your friends for help. There's a PC owner in every bunch, and you're bound to run into one who'll agree to show you the ropes.
