go to your local Employment Security Commission- the one in the town you moved to. They can help you with making sure your resume is up to snuff (when's the last time you revised it?), making sure your cover letter is A+ (when's the last time you re-wrote it?), and directing you towards companies that would hire you. Remember, 80% of all jobs open never get advertised anywhere, so you have to network to find them. Figure out who you want to work for, why you want to work there, then call up the company and talk to the guy who you would be working under. Tell him how great you are- come up with a 1 minute "informercial" about yourself to tell him over the phone. Then, meet with him in person- this will be just like a job interview but without a job at the end. Basically, you're making friends with the people in the companies that will have the positions that you want. Be nice to everyone you meet at these places- sometimes the secetary has more sway than they appaear to.
Take a week off from work to go to the ESC and to network, network, network, then keep going to your 300 mile away job. The job world has changed quite a bit in the 17 years you've been at your steady job, so it behooves you to catch up on what employers expect and want.
Remember, a company wants to do an internal hire first and foremost, so you're going to have to market yourself as so incredibly stellar they can't pass you up! Head on over to soyouwanna.com and check out the advice they give for making a resume/cover letter and aceing an interview- they're really helpful!
