Downsized? Clean off your bifocals and get going!

Dear PropellerHeads: I'm about to be "downsized" and haven't been job-searching since Johnny Carson hosted the Tonight Show. Do you have any hints or tools to assist with my search?

A: Well, you're heading in the right direction. There are so many tools, websites, and job boards out there, you should land a new position in no time. So, clean off those bifocals and get going!

First, the basics. Get your resume in order and add current and appropriate contact information. Be sure to use an email address that you check frequently and that isn't embarrassing. Perhaps your [email protected] address isn't the best one to use, even if it's an accurate description.

You should also check your own name in search engines to make sure there are no pictures or blog postings out there that could hurt your chances with employers. Spend a few minutes on Facebook and cull anything that you might not want a prospective employer to see.

Be sure to accurately represent your skillset on your resume. Consider going to Brain-bench.com or any other skills assessment site to gauge your proficiency level in whatever area you wish to highlight. This will either reassure you or point out where you may want to spend a little time studying.

LinkedIn has gotten very important to the job search process for both employers and em-ployees. So, read this: http://bit.ly/1jLnQeG. At the least, put a professional photo up (no glamour shots) and then update your profile to include a nice mix of professional experience, relevant groups, volunteer work, and recommendations.

Lastly, have a friend review your resume and LinkedIn profile before you "hit the streets."

Remember the old adage, "You only have one chance to make a good first impression." That is so true when applying for a new position. Whether your first exposure is by phone, an emailed resume, or in person, be professional and know your audience. Do a little groundwork before you get that far.

Researching potential employers will help you organize your thoughts and determine where you might fit into the organization. Most companies have career sections on their websites. Take a look at open jobs to see if there is a potential match for your skillset.

General-interest employment sites such as CareerBuilder.com, HotJobs.com, and Mon-ster.com, allow you to search by job title, industry, or geographical area. There are also many niche websites that focus on specific skills. Search for buggy whip maker job website and you'll get more hits than you could imagine.

Most sites allow you to send your resume or apply directly from the site. Use a general-purpose employment site purely as a tool to find an appropriate opening, then take a look at the employer's own site to see if the job posting is there as well. Here you should also find out as much as possible about the job and the company.

Employment sites serve their purpose quite well, but having control over exactly what a po-tential employer sees is important. Many sites lose formatting information causing your resume masterpiece to look like your first-grader typed it. Try sending it as an attachment, or apply through a career portal site that allows customized resumes for each potential employer.

Be sure to check websites of professional organizations you either belong to or have thought about joining. They often have job postings and are good resources for networking.

Also, check out your local newspaper. Chances are, the jobs they list will be local and you know that first-grader of yours does not want to change schools. Our local newspaper has teamed up with Yahoo! HotJobs to give you the best of local and national exposure, so you may need to pack those bags after all!

After submitting your resume, remember to follow-up with a call or email a day or two later to show interest. This may ensure that your resume is given a second look.

Given that Jimmy Fallon has hosted the Tonight Show for some time now, I'm guessing your memory might not be what it once was. Save or print a copy of the resume you send to each employer. Include notes, such as the date it was sent, what inspired you about the job posting, and contact information for following up. Having that open in front of you when you get called will help make sure you and the potential employer are on the same page. Happy job hunting!

When the PropellerHeads at Data Directions aren't busy with their IT projects, they love to answer questions on business or consumer technology. Email them to [email protected] or contact us at Data Directions Inc., 8510 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Visit our website at www.askthepropellerheads.com.