I'm looking now myself, since about a month ago. I've been out since last summer, but was fortunate enough to have enough in the bank to take some much needed time off.

Probably the biggest surprise / disappointment / frustration that I found the last time I was looking, back in '97, was not hearing back from potential empolyers. I'm not talking about resumes that you sent in blindly. I'm talking about after an in-person interview, when you're told you'll hear something within some time frame; that passes and nothing. Then my calls to the company go mostly unreturned. I didn't understand - and still don't - why they can't give you a simple call or even a letter letting you know where you stand, or don't. That was at a time when jobs were plentiful. I can't imagine that it's gotten any better in this economy.

Again, good luck.