le nubian's list is a very good one.

Also, try not to be so hard on yourself. If you had been the best ever greatest job seeker ever it still was 18 years ago. It isn't reasonable that you would be now. Like anything else there are vast resources on the internet. There are rules and steps to take. Get to the list making.

The hardest thing is deciding what you would like to do. You are an intelligent and capable woman. The possibilities are endless. Having an 18 year job history with one company is a plus. As an employer I like that a whole lot more than a dozen jobs in 18 years.

Decide what you might enjoy. Look at the jobs posted and formulate your cover letter and resume accordingly. You know how to write; that already gives you a step up on the competition. Trust me on this! I see lots of bad writing on cover letters. You got this.

You also have plenty of resources here for proof-reading.

Goes without saying that I will help with resumés, too: particularly if you decide you want to be hired in a college or university.

and by the way, your talents would be welcome there. keep your options open.

Hell, I burst into hysterical tears when I got word of a layoff. In the office itself. I don't do major change well.

I don't do major change well.

I am THE WORST at any kind of change. Our grocery store is being remodeled and I cannot abide it.

So you can imagine how losing my job AND planning a wedding (and refinancing the house and [though uneventful] jury duty) is affecting me.

AWESOME.

Teppy, having one job for along time actually looks GOOD to HR, because it means you're a stable employee. So that's one thing to strike off your worry list. Once you start looking for work, you can find out what kind of clothes you need and buy one interview outfit if needed. I just did that a couple of months ago and it was relatively painless and now I own a black suit. SO that's two things to strike off.

Job-hunting is not fun, but you have marketable skills and you WILL get a good job.

Tep, everyone has given great advice. I absolutely agree that it looks great to have an applicant with that kind of steady job history. Also, this?

Also, this might sound kind of stupid, but as I've gotten older, my attitude toward job-hunting has more and more become "You people would be lucky to have me" and less "Oh, god, please hire me please please please."

I truly believe that the more confident you are (or the more you can fake it), the better. Not arrogant asshat, but confident in your skills. You're awesome! You've edited god knows how many articles about a huge variety of things! You're our walking pharmacy!

Yes yes and more yes!

Coffee:

Also, Suzi, I meant to say that I really hope your podiatrist can shed some light on what's going on with your foot. Those types of injuries are so frustrating and painful!

Teppy, I can sympathize - I spent a lot of time with a truly horrible boss because I feared job hunting so much. But really - staying in one job for an extended period is a GOOD thing - it shows (1) you won't be hopping off to another job quickly nad (2) your employer kept you for that time.

A nice suit - or dress/skirt/pants and jacket - is good and can be affordable. I get almost all my clothes at discount stores (Marshalls, T.J. Maxx) and one of the few nice things horrible!boss had to say was that I always looked professional. So it doesn't have to cost a lot.

And your skills are transferable - the fact that you can write coherent English is a plus ... and rare. So ... the Buffistas have your back. The hive mind will help. Seriously - with the brain power you have to call on, it will all work out.

I have a suggestion to throw into the mix, Teppy. I strongly encourage you to apply for the widest range of jobs possible, even things that you probably will not want or are not quite qualified for. The idea is, 1) sometimes the results may surprise you, that somewhere in some field that is not yours is work that will use your skills in new ways; and B) having interviews for jobs you do not actually care about can give you some practice interviews that are a bit better than having a friend ask you common interview questions.

Suzi,

BTW, I am not sure if this applies, but fyi in case:

my dentist was telling me that some of his patients have excruciating jaw pain and he did all the x-rays, blah blah. Come to find out it was their posture, etc.

I wonder if your foot pain isn't related to your hips or knees or something. Perhaps your podiatrist can help you figure out what the real issue is.

Note to self: Teppy is changing her name to Job. 'Cause it sure sounds like God and the Devil are running bets on what causes you to break.