As people get older, they are increasingly interested in pursuing work that reflects their values, says Bettina Seidman, a member of the Career Counselors Consortium and founder of Seidbet Associates in New York. Major career changes usually occur when a person's job and values don't correspond, resulting in such transitions as a move from a corporate environment to a non-profit organization. Of course, every job hunter needs a resume and cover letter, those two all-important pieces of paper that decide whether you get a chance to strut your stuff live during an interview. But if your resume needs some serious polishing or your cover letters lack pizzazz, turn to a professional resume writer. Resume writing is an unregulated industry, says Pat Kendall, author of Jumpstart Your Online Job Search and president of the National Resume Writers Association.
Chances are, one week's salary is far more than the cost of getting help.
Once you've snagged an interview, be sure to dress the part. You'll often have a first, second, or even third interview, sometimes one right after the next. Because NPD's numbers reflect national averages, we hit the pavement to find what was now selling at well-known national retail stores. Don't forget to polish your interview shoes. There is one very bright light at the end of what seems like a rather expensive tunnel.