No advice, but sorry to hear that - best of luck to you, Bit.

Good luck and there is the unemployment office in your town. There is also probably a on-line place to put resume' and such. Like stated above, many times it is Hell to find a job unless you know someone who can put in a good word for you or you know someone who may help find you a job. It use to be that 47% of jobs are by walking into a place and making out an application. The further up the ladder you try and go, I suppose then there are steps to go that path on the job hunt. Well, good luck, because finding a job may take up a lot of time and effort. Well, good journey then.
 

The world has turned. I thought that my skill set was massive. Solid tech background with 10 years of management experience in quality assurance and auditing. Part time college teacher with experience in developing multi functional teams for major project development. License for industrial electrician and certified as a quality manager by the American Society for Quality.
 
The headhunters all told me the same thing. I was unemployable. Too much experience for the Mc jobs that dominate the market and too old for corporate gigs that can get college grads for peanuts. The last guy I spoke to told me he wanted to give me a gold watch, but not a job. Since then I've been doing all sorts of small jobs as they come along. This year I've built amps, created a management training program for an HR company, Some recording work and technical writing.
 
In short, I've become a tinker or utility infielder, whatever metaphor you like. Welcome to the world of the silver backs Bit. Be creative and use your imagination. You may make money doing something you had never planned on. Best of luck.

I'll just add my thoughts of good luck!
 
I'm another past "Expert" of stuff that no longer exists (all of the DEC boxes and software) so I'm just working for peanuts with four different companies (all run by friends that I knew outside of work).  Two are startups where I have a very vested interest in their success (which, if it occurs, will help me recover some of the money the financial institutions stole from me a few years ago).  Apparently, just knowing what to do isn't enough anymore.  You need to have gone out and paid to get someone else to "certify" you.  *Sigh...*

Sorry to hear this Dave. I wish you and yours the best and have you in my prayers.

Just put on what is needed for the job you are applying for is what I heard lately. Nothing else, and only what can be done for the job and the company by you. I guess that means be humble and bend the rules if you have to meaning that for the most part you are only looking for a job and you can do whatever they want and the rest does not matter nor too much experience. Well, blah then!
 

You can create a basic resume but do some research on the jobs you're looking for and custom taylor your resume to each job and company. 
 
You could also look into LinkedIn.  They're like the Facebook of business.  Be careful though, the had some security problems a while back.  I don't know if those problems got resolved. 

Sorry to hear this Bit. If you have any contacts at all that you've developed over the years now might be a good time to tap into them.
I hope things go well for you.
btw, how are you coming along from the back surgery?
How many months now? 6 or 7?
 
Dave

Almost 4 months after the surgery and I'm walking several miles a day, with no pain or pain pills. Six months ago I could only hobble around with a cane or walker. Life is good, and the expense of the surgery was worth every penny. And I may have to cash in my penny jar to pay for it. Damn, that had been earmarked for music software!
 
Thanks for the ideas, everyone. I like the idea of a brief resumé that doesn't make it obvious that I've been in the business since before the Intel 4004.
 
Like many, I have many skills that are no longer in demand. But being the principal tech-head for my company means I wear many hats, so I'm thinking it would not be unethical to mention only those skills that are still relevant while skipping, say, all the years spent coding ANSI-C.
 
Or maybe I'll just try for a gig at Guitar Center. Surely there are no pre-qualifications required to work there! I won't mention any knowledge of musical gear on the application.

Best wishes bit.