Anybody looking for a job right now knows—it’s a jungle out there. Unless you are looking in recession-proof fields, jobs are few and far between, and thousands of workers are losing their jobs every day. Put simply, competition is cutthroat. Don’t despair. Whether you are fresh out of school or have several years of experience and are recovering from a layoff—it’s still possible to stand out from the competition and land a great gig. [...]

Are you out of work, short on cash, and wondering how the heck you are going to feed yourself or your family in the weeks ahead? Don’t panic. Here’s how to develop a sound strategy for managing money while unemployed so you can stop worrying and start looking for work. [...]

Layoffs are everywhere these days. My employer axed 20 more of my coworkers on Friday, and every week I hear about friends losing jobs at various companies nationwide. Layoffs suck, but given the recession we’re in, they aren’t a surprise. And although you can take steps to reduce the chance you will be laid off, you can never guarantee your job security. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to always be prepared for the possibility of being laid off.

Preparing for a layoff is a bit like writing your own will—it’s easier to put it off the task and hope you don’t need it. But find yourself jobless in the near future; you’ll be a lot happier if you’ve done a few simple things. Here are some basic steps to prepare for a potential layoff: [...]

The stock market isn’t the only thing that might be beating up on your 401(k) retirement plan; many employers are cutting 401(k) plan matching benefits as a way to reign in expenses, the Wall Street Journal reports. What should you do if your employer pulls your matching benefit? [...]

News surfaced last week about Republican donors spending over $100,000 in less than a month on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s wardrobe.

Now I think most prudent folks would balk at anybody dropping tens of thousands at Neiman Marcus, but I believe there is some truth to that old saying “dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” I also think dropping money in your work clothes—and therefore your image—as the McCain campaign did for Palin, is a smart money move. Do you agree? [...]

Fortunately, twentysomethings are not usually the first employees to be laid off when an economic downturn forces employers to cut staff. After all, relative to more experienced employees, we’re cheap. But we’re not immune from being laid off and, in today’s economy, that reality could face any one of us any day.

The looming possibility of a layoff doesn’t mean you should start surfing Monster.com for a new job at your present employer (doing so might just put your name a top the cut list). You should, however, be on the lookout for warning signs that your job is endangered. If you spot them, it might be time to at least get your resume in shape. [...]

Landing a new job is never a cakewalk, but today’s tough economy is sure to make it especially difficult. Whether you are fishing for a first job out of school, recently laid off, or just ready to make a change, being prepared and having the right attitude can give you an edge in today’s competitive job market. [...]

Whether you’re actively aiming for a new gig or just floating a few resumes here and there, following these critical resume tips can make the difference between landing your dream job and never even getting into an interview chair. [...]

I don’t think I have ever had so much fun at work as I did slinging lattes and bagging beans at Starbucks. (If you don’t get it, ask somebody who has worked at one). But at Starbucks, I also learned valuable lessons that have helped me everywhere else I have worked: [...]

This month, hundreds of thousands of job seekers with newly minted diplomas will be hitting the market. Previously, I covered jobs for recent grads with good prospects and high pay. Even though I agree that an economic slump will not affect the under-30 set’s job prospects, here is a look at five career fields that will still be hiring, even in the toughest of times. [...]