Entering the Job Market

I would suggest talking with temporary staffing agencies. Many companies are using temps to fill in for employees are out, to handle increases in workload, and to "try out" people before they hire them full-time.

I would think about the skills you have and the types of work that you would be willing to do, in what work environments, during what hours, etc. Then just Google "temp agencies", "staffing agencies" in your area.

BTW - giving notice when leaving a job is a courtesy, but not a legal requirement.

In your situation the best way to start is at a temp agency. They will assign you to differant jobs for short periods of time. Do a good job at each assignment and you will earn yourself a good referance at each one, plus at the agency. Sometimes the assignments can turn into permamnent jobs but if not, you will still be building yourself a nice resume and list of referances.

You have great advice to use a temp agency. I also recommend putting in a lot of time and effort into finding a position. This means every day doing research, applying for jobs, interviewing and following up. Please don't just turn in an application and hope it gets to the right place. Always follow up on the status and don't be shy about saying you really want to work there (present yourself as the most desirable applicant, attitude counts). Research the companies online and if you do apply online, make lots of calls until you find out who is the hiring manager. Always send a thank you letter (a handwritten letter) in addition to an e-mail. Think positive and focus on what you canbring to the company.

Try registering w/a temp agency or placement agency. They will test your skills - people, organization and computer through interviews w/their staff and putting you on the computer. A good one will make you marketable, which mostly means, they will give you computer training on basic office software. A very good one will give you this training for free! And they will help you with interview skills as well.

Networking is always a plus. Tell as many people as you can within the industry you are interested in that you are looking for work. Just be careful who you disclose that info to!

GL

You might want to start by volunteering a little in your area before the time you go back to work. Volunteer with a community service group, United Way, your local library, Red Cross, etc. This will help you meet people and give you a source of references from people you are supervised by. I agree with Tracy. When I left college and decided to work full time, I started at a staffing service. I did mostly clerical work in several different offices, helping for a few days or weeks while someone was on vacation or leave. After a few assignments that went well, I landed a permanent job that I really enjoyed. Working through a staffing service gives both you and the company a chance to find out if you and the position are a good fit. Take advantage of learning anything you at each assignment- especially different computer programs, because you can take these skills anywhere. As you get back to work, you might be able to take low cost courses at a technical/ vocational school near you to build your skills. Good luck!

What you need is a fresh start. Let's begin with your attitude. You acknowledge that you have made mistakes in the past, we all have had less than stellar things in our working experience. It's really not that big of a deal as long as you don't take those former ways of thinking into the new work place. With that said you need to build a better working reputation. While you can and are still not in need of a formal job, I would look for opportunities to volunteer in your field of interest. Find the type of work you want to do, find the place where you think you may like to work and offer your professional skills to them even if you aren't an expert or professional in that field. You would be surprised how many people would be willing to allow someone to work with them for free. Create a work experience where you are looking to benefit your employer by working really hard and accurately. Be on time and practice great work habits. You never know where an opening will occur but you have to take the first step to making a difference.

The temp agency is a great way to get a foot in the door. When I was in the corporate world working for someone else, we always hired from the temp pool because we already got a feel for that person's work ethic, and sense if we were both a good fit or not.

Volunteering is also very good. I have been a substitute teacher 10 yrs now. I was volunteering at my daughter's school when she started school and the principal asked me if I thought I'd like subbing. There was a shortage of subs at the time and I am college degreed. I've subbed at that school for 10 yrs.

I also volunteered as President of my daughter's cheer booster club last year. I was in charge of a diverse group of women on the board and most of my time was spent mediating them. During the fundraising, etc, I nailed a great location for volunteering. My Presidency ended and last month and when I told this particular group that I was moving on to my next school booster club with daughter moving on to the next school that I would contact them and try to market this school for them. Low and behold, they offered me a job with the company, part time but offered me a job.

I can't commit to work for them because we own and run our own company from home but that is just an example if the right person sees your work ethic and how you are with people, you never know what can happen!

All great advice you have received. :)
Also check out your state's Employment Security Department - they may have free classes that your can take.
http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/

Good Luck and God Bless

My church offers free career counseling workshop to anyone and other help to get people back into the job market.

https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/stakes---wards.jsf?name=th...

You can find a workshop near you here:
https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/center/find_center.jsf

And if you don't want to go to the workshop, they have tons of info online about breaking back into the job market, writing resumes, interview help, power statements, networking...:

https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/stakes---wards.jsf?name=jo...

In the meantime, try getting experience somehow that can contribute to a referral as well, you can even volunteer in the community, do a CERT or Red Cross training, sign up with a temp agency...

Start editing your resume and looking for work before you need to start. Get your resume looking as professional as you can. Personalize a coverletter for each job, even if you are applying online.
There are many online search sites out there- careerbuilder, monster, craigslist.