Hi OP, sorry about the layoff. Cover letters are still expected but email is the way to go. If unsolicited (ie response to an ad or cold submission) make sure you optimize your letter and resume for an automated keyword search. Are you on linked-in? A member of relevant associations related to your industry?

What line if work are you in?

I was just laid off my job that I have had for the past 14 years. The past 3 1/2 years I had been working part time after the birth of my child and I got laid off due to lack of work and a not very family friendly boss. So I now need to get back into the job market and look for another part time job which I know won't be easy.

I'm 47 and haven't had to put a resume together for 14 years and am a little intimidated on how job searches are done these days. I plan on writing a new résumé but how do people find jobs these days? I was planning on mailing (snail) cover letters with my résumé. Is this an old fashioned way of doing this? I plan on contacting folks I know in my field and in my network but can anyone advise me on anything else I should be doing?

Also, has resume writing changed in the past 14 years? Gosh, I feel like a dinosaur!

Thanks!