I found a job before. I can do it again, can't I?

Yes, but probably not in the same way you did back then. And unless you're properly informed, it can take a lot longer and be a more painful process than it needs to be. A friend of mine in his early 50's lost his job last year. He spent 10 anxiety-fuelled months applying in vain, going through what felt like the 7 stages of jobseeker grief: shock and denial; pain and guilt; anger and bargaining; depression, etc., before finally getting another job.

The thing is though, this process could have been shortened considerably and been a much less nerve-racking experience, and the reason why is surprisingly simple: Finding a job is no different to any other logistical operation out there. You just need to understand exactly what you're up against, so that you can ask the right people the right questions and get the specific help you need! But people panic and become reactive - and it's no wonder, considering they've just lost their income, social standing and even identity to some extent. But if you want quick results, you have to stay calm and take a rational response.

Think about it. When you want a haircut, you go to a salon. You don't go wandering into every store you pass asking if they cut hair. When you want your teeth fixed, you go to a professional; you don't use the fishing line and door knob method - unless you really are doing it tough! So why would the job search process be any different? If you follow a logical, linear path and understand well the job ahead of you of finding a job, then you can be wearing your new uniform in no time at all.

The day after being laid off, my friend started sending out erratic and ill-prepared resumes, cover letters and emails in all directions - to companies, to government departments, to career counsellors, employment consultants, psychologists, frantically trying to gather information and convince someone to give him 'a chance'. The many rejection emails (which he later learned meant his resume was probably filtered out by an algorithm) didn't help to allay his fears that he would never work again. But, in time, and after many awkward conversations with far too many people than were actually necessary, he found a way to get his foot in a new employer's door. And the rest is history.

But 10 months of desperate, scattered searching when 8 weeks of targeted job-hunting in an employment readiness course would have been enough; 20 rushed, awkward and repetitive conversations with people he'd never met when 1 knowledgeable, articulate and dedicated facilitator would have been enough; 100 substandard applications when 10 outstanding ones completed with the help of a professional would have sufficed. Mature aged jobseekers need to take stock, do an inventory, strip back their career experiences to bare bones - just like you would a house before renovating. And that's exactly how a job ready course can help. With the facilitator's careful guidance, you will identify the transferable skills you most certainly have, explore industries you may be suited to, and develop a plan to reskill or upskill so that you can open that next door sooner rather than later.

Do yourself a favour and get the expert help that is out there and don't feel bad for not understanding the complex Australian labour market landscape around you.