We have either taken time off from our careers to spend time with our kids, we have never really worked since we were focused on the family or maybe we just went through a divorce.  Whatever the case entering the work force can be a challenge.

There are many things you need to think about and depending on your time frame you may need to get into action sooner than later.  However, no matter what the urgency never forget about your long term plans and goals.

We are starting a whole series of articles focused on middle aged women and our careers.  This is the first of many.  Our goal will be to help you figure out what you want to do, how to do it and enjoy the life you so much deserve.

Let's start off with getting things going.  We can start in any area, but we think the best way is to get some feelers out there first.  Some people would say you  should first figure out what you want to do and then start looking.  For some this may be a reasonable technique but we think that just sitting there hoping for a revelation is not effective.  You have to get in motion and see what is out there by turing over stones, meeting people, asking questions, networking with old friends, writing your resume.

With today's internet, getting feelers out there is easier than ever.  Here are some sites you can join just to start getting an idea of what is possible.  Who knows you may run into something you never thought of before.  If you rely on your past experience only, you will miss out on so much.

So let's start getting things going. Sometimes this is the most important step.  Overcoming the desire to just sit and wait.  Three things you can do to get your career search on a roll are start working on your resume (this will get you thinking by writing), start looking (see what the demand is and what just might tickle your fancy), and restart your network (you know the old saying it is not what you know but who you know....and this applies to how well you know yourself.)

Resumes can help you get found.  A poor one can shut the door before it is even opened too.

Resume (Get Found) Get your resume out there fast with ResumeRabbit.com.  A great name for a neat service.  Instantly post your resume to over 75 career sites. Click Here

Get help with your resume.  Yes there are services online that will help you with your resume.  Build the perfect resume with ResumeEdge is one of those services.  A good, solid, error free, grammatically correct resume is extremely important.  Spelling mistakes, poor grammar will stand out.

Now cast a wide net.  Register with job sites and see what is out there.

Looking for a professional position.  Executive Search focuses on this area Professional, Managerial & Executive Openings!

This is a classic site to help with your search.  Find your next employee inexpensively. Post a Job on HotJobs.com

A little help from my friends:

One area we often forget about are our old friends.  There are plenty of sites out there which help you reconnect with friends.  The advantage of this is you can perhaps use them to network a job, get an idea of what else you can do or maybe just get support from an old friend you lost touch with.  Classmates.com is a good site to start with Reconnect with friends! .

Stay tuned for more articles on preparing for your interview, networking by joining clubs, volunteering and small talk, getting cash flow while you are looking and most importantly moving towards what you truly want to spend your life doing.

Remember you have so much to offer.  You have great experience.  Now you need to translate that in your resume, in the way you interview, by casting a wide net and by determination and desire.

Get things moving by getting moving.