The most important thing in successfully initiating your job search is to figure out what you really want to do and will enjoy doing. Put some thought into different industries you might have an interest in, and where you believe you might be able to leverage your past experiences. Even if you are not able to pinpoint exactly what you want to do now, don’t worry. The objective here is to generate ideas and set some realistic expectations and options for yourself.

Your resume offers employers one of the first glimpses into who you are, and to make an impression on them. You should present a precise overview of the positions which have taught you valuable skills, and list out the most important, business- oriented responsibilities you've had for each job you've held. It’s important to be honest about what you’ve done, but also not to sell yourself short.

Your recruiter can be a great source of information. The key to maximizing your job search resources is to chose a recruiter whom you trust, who will listen to your needs, understand what those needs are and discuss with you as appropriate, and who the specialists are in your fields of interests, with excellent connections to these areas you’re interested in working in. Most importantly, your recruiter should represent you with your best interests at heart and communicate with you regularly and honestly. If you’re comfortable in sharing your information with a recruiter and feel he/she has a good understanding of what you’re saying in terms of your career goals, then that’s a great start.

The more information your recruiter has about you, the better. With this information, your recruiter will assess your capabilities and experiences to ultimately identify the most appropriate opportunities for you. Be upfront about your ambitions, bear in mind that no detail is too small. In return, your recruiter should maintain strict confidentiality on the information you share with them, collaborate with you on the information which should be shared with potential employers, and address any questions or concerns you have after each interview. Be honest. Be detailed. Your recruiter needs to know exactly what you’re feeling about a particular opportunity, and after an interview, in order to set up the right expectations and best represent and communicate your thoughts and feelings.