Job search, your advice needed...

As a stay at home mom, I looked forward to a couple of years out of the work force to spend with the little ankle biter. But because of slashed state budgets and increased local property taxes (thanks Bush!) I will have to return to the 9 to 5 earlier than expected. I've just checked the usual job search sites (monster, careerbuilder, etc.) and the job listings in my field are just pitiful compared to passed years.

So, do you have any suggestions on where/how to start my job search in this economy? I'm a Market Research Analyst with experience in the financial industry and have done consulting for non-profits.

It's the new trend in corporate America. Millions and millions of white collar, technical jobs, such as research analysts, are being sent overseas to cheaper labor markets. In fact, the American economy has lost about 2.6 million jobs in the past three years, and finding jobs will be an up hill battle.

My advice, think public sector. Go for a job as a substitute teacher or some other government job. Government jobs have increased 600,000 since 2001. In fact, without massive government spending, the economy would really be in bad shape. Look into government work.

Go through all your contacts from your previous job. Otherwise, I honestly don't see how you could just get a job in your field.

What part of the country are you in? That's a factor.

I would suggest the usual "just a job for awhile" for the interim (sub teaching, crunching numbers for a state/local government, waitressing, temp work) HOWEVER those once incredibly easy to get jobs are full, with waiting lists.

Also get ready for people (who are still employed) to give incredibly obvious tips like the following:

Have you checked the classifieds?
Have you called a temp agency/job service?
Have you checked monster.com, etc.
What about 'just a job' to hold you over.

They mean well, but have no clue what the current job market is like.

Hang in there---

I've been an under-employed temp worker for a year now....

and I moved from Boston so my contacts are less useful now. :(

What a sad state of the economy, and I've got a MS in marketing too.

It's hard to face the kinds of jobs that you're talking about. Good luck to you too.

Post your killer resume there.

There are dozens of corporate HR people that review the resumes put online on Monster.

I know you mean well, but posting a resume everywhere is one of the kinda obvious things I was talking about...

I hate to sound negative in these posts, but what can I say.

The problem with dozens of HR people reviewing the resumes is mind-boggling number of applicants per opening. And these are good, experienced applicants here, not just random blind resume blasts.

Remember the late 90's when jobs just went unfilled because nobody would work at them? It's the inverse now.

send just a letter to all of the competitors of your last employer (assuming you've already checked to see if they would rehire you).

If you send a resume, Ms. Buffer in HR, will screen you out.

Send your letter to the head of the department you want to work in.
Tell them just enough to interest them in picking up the horn and inviting you to come in for a personal meeting. There, you can gracefully surrender your rezoomie, safely in the knowledge that Ms. Buffer will not be deciding your fate.

Of course, knowing what to say in your letter is the key, and it might be worth it to hire someone to help you, since we are NOT talking about a glorified cover letter (which will NOT do the trick).

It's all about strategic marketing.

Thanks!

and target opportunities that match it. Write your resume like a proposal -- for each skill listed in the ad make sure that it shows up all over your resume (at the risk of being redundant).