A successful job search starts with a self-assessment. Before jumping into your job search, know what you're looking for in a position, industry, benefits, location, and schedule. Assess your skills, and know how they relate to the jobs you're interested in doing. Many free assessment tools are available online. Most staffing companies (or temporary agencies) offer skills assessment as part of their services. It’s also important to identify your “transferable skills,” which could mean you are already prepared for certain new jobs or fields. You can learn and practice “transferable skills” on the job and by volunteering and pursuing personal interests. To learn more, visit Quint Careers.

Your local One-Stop Career Center is another important resource. Funded by the Department of Labor, local centers offer such services as assessment, training, and job-search assistance. AARP.org has information on assessment, career counselors and coaches, and self-employment options. AARP Foundation WorkSearch offers assessment and training to eligible job seekers. It also offers the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) for low-income people over 55.

Learn about the job market in your target area. Which industries need workers? Who is hiring? Follow the business news daily to track which businesses are expanding or contracting. If your ideal job is in a field with declining employment, look for other industries and jobs that use similar skills. Professional associations, local business groups, and online and print news media are additional resources to consult about your area job market

Find out which employers are hiring by looking at online job boards, but be aware that the right person is more likely to see your résumé if you apply directly through employers' Web sites. Here are some tips for researching jobs and employers. More career-exploration tools can be found at Career One Stop.

Find out where the stimulus money is going to create jobs in your state.

Many résumés fall flat because they simply list past experience and job duties. To make your resume and cover letter stand out, present yourself as someone who gets results. Highlight your accomplishments. Quantify them in numbers and dollars. Include only those achievements that relate to the job for which you’re applying.

Consider using a "functional" résumé style that lists your accomplishments by skill area, adding a brief, chronological job history. To draw attention to your résumé, sprinkle keywords—specific terms used in the job posting and industry—throughout. Even if you use the right keywords, simply posting your résumé on the big job boards is not likely to get a large response. Be sure to check the many "niche" job boards, which focus on a particular industry or type of job.

AARP.org's Work section has advice on résumés and cover letters as well as a career column and Job Tips for 50+ Workers.

Résumé help is also available at RetirementJobs.com, and sample résumés and cover letters are available on many employment sites, such as CareerBuilder, Monster, and Quintessential Careers.

By keeping your skills current, you show that you are up to date in your chosen field and can compete with job applicants of any age. Highlight pertinent training and certifications in your résumé, especially if you need to show that your technological skills are current. If your computer skills are shaky, this is a good time to strengthen them. Take online tutorials, find classes at community centers in your area, or visit your local One-Stop Career Center

Other ways to keep learning and stay current in your field while you're unemployed include classes, workshops, and meetings of professional associations (all of which are also networking venues). Many staffing firms (often called temporary agencies) offer training and temporary jobs that allow you to “try out” different kinds of jobs while earning needed cash. Look into programs offered by community colleges. To find training programs in your area, go to Career One-Stop. Finally, consider volunteering as a way to learn or sharpen your skills. Find opportunities at AARP’s Create The Good, or look into federally funded national-service programs, such as AmeriCorps.

Finding employment is a job in itself. In the initial stages of job loss, you may not be ready to launch a full-scale search. At first, you can concentrate on taking care of yourself, seeking support, and assessing your finances. As you move into full job-search mode, set up a workspace with computer, phone, and the supplies you’ll need. Set a start and end time to your day, being sure to include time for yourself and your family. You may be tempted to start off by blanketing the job boards with your résumé, but it’s much more effective to target the jobs, industries, and employers you are interested in. Constantly polish your résumé, tailoring it to the different positions you apply for. Vary your schedule to maintain your energy. Your daily activities might include researching employers, attending a networking meeting, writing a cover letter, talking to a friend for support, reading the business news, and taking a walk. The Web is packed with helpful career sites, blogs, and podcasts that can help you stay on track. Find tips on job-search strategies and a list of employment Web sites.

An “elevator speech” is a brief commercial for yourself; it is a verbal snapshot of your key qualifications, achievements, and goals. Because all generations are competing in a tight job market, you need to show clearly what sets you apart.

If you have an "elevator speech," you won’t have to grope for words to describe yourself. You'll be ready at any time with examples and success stories that say, "This is who I am and what I do." A good elevator speech reflects your "personal brand," that is, the unique skills, abilities, and achievements that make you stand out in a crowd. An elevator speech is also an opportunity to show your positive attitude, energy level, and communication skills. Learn more about these introductory speeches and personal branding. Quintessential Careers offers a Career-Branding Tutorial.

Making connections is probably the most important part of your job search. If you can, make networking a part of your schedule every day

Start by making a list of everyone who could possibly help you: work contacts, family, friends, neighbors, and community contacts. Keep a record of to whom you spoke and when. Each person you reach is a potential source of additional contacts.

In addition to in-person networking, seek out networking opportunities on the Web. At the Water Cooler, AARP’s Online Community for job seekers age-50+, you can share advice, resources, and support with others in your position. You can also post your profile on large networking sites, such as LinkedIn (professional focus) and Facebook (personal networking). Increasingly, employers are looking online to find job applicants, so make yourself “findable,” even by starting your own Web site if you wish. But don't spend all your time online. Personal contact, face-to-face or by phone, is still indispensable as an avenue to job leads. Here are more tips for successful networking.

If your job hunt is not panning out the way you want it to, it may be time to change your approach. Especially in a down economy where jobs are scarcer, you may need to make trade-offs. Go back to your self-assessment and review your priorities. Decide what's most important at this stage—salary, location, schedule, type of work, or position. Learn how others have dealt with the challenges of job; visit AARP.org's online community group, The Water Cooler.

This may be a time to consider a stop-gap job to bring in needed cash, or to find a job coach or counselor to help you sort through your options. If you want to work in a different occupation or industry, retool your résumé to show the transferable skills that carry over from one field to another. If you’re considering starting your own business, plan carefully. AARP.org offers resources on creating your business and becoming self-employed, as does SCORE.