Book to guide me though job application process

[mjnh12]

I've been SAHM for 6 years and feel really out of touch with jobs, applications, CVs, etc

I have no "online presence" and am not very technology minded. I now realise that I need to learn and learn fast. I've seen Linkedin (but no idea how to get on it or what to say!). Can you find jobs on it? Where does one look for jobs?

Can anyone recommend a book that can equip me for entering the workplace in 2015! Feeling so old and out of touch.

See LinkedIn as an online CV and open an account. It can be free for now. Search for your friends/firmer colleagues who you have considered to have done well in their careers on LinkedIn for examples of how to structure yours. You may need to add them before you can see their profiles.

1. Use key words for your skills that would be major search terms if a recruiter is short listing potential applicants for a job on LinkedIn. This will improve your chances of being contacted.

1. Look out for ads on LinkedIn too!

1. Thoughtfully hide or smooth over or explain CV gaps

1. Attend the mumsnet event on May 16 if possible

1. Invest in some books on writing CVs, cover letters, interview skills

1. Register with recruitment agencies

1. Many times it's who you know! Connect with your network.

I think that's a lot to get you sorted and you'll fine tune as you go along. Good luck!

Good books like Robin Ryan's 60 minutes and you're hired and some of her other books. Mrs Moneypenny's Career's Advice for Ambitious Women. The Confidence Code by Claire Shipman and Katty Kay. May be no one book will have all the answers but I've found these to be helpful.

Thank you both. As I'm a naturally private person the thought of putting myself on Linkedin petrifies me - but realise it's the way forward.

Can anyone see your profile and do others know when you've looked at their profile?

How do key words help recruiters find you? If they typed them into a search engine wouldn't thousands of potential people turn up?

Sorry if silly question - feel the world has moved on loads in the last six years!

What type of work do you do? In my opinion LinkedIn is not how most people find jobs.

LinkedIn is very good for certain careers, not so much for others so yes, it would be helpful to know in what field you are looking for work.

I was a journalist but now thinking about changing to a career which would give me a better work/life balance. Not sure what yet.

LinkedIn might work then for you. Do you have any old contacts you could meet for coffee?

What sort of thing were you thinking of? A lot of journalists go into PR.

Don't want to return to journalism as no work life balance. Not totally sure what to do.
Struggling to write decent CV for jobs that I will never have done before. Hoping transferable skills will shine through!