When I'd been out of the workforce for a long time, I started out by volunteering. I figured it would give me something current on my resume, and show that I was capable of showing up regularly for something and would give me a current reference.


Then I took the crappiest job that would basically hire anyone with a pulse, which was telemarketing a newspaper for minimum wage. Lasted at that a month, butt was able to turn that job into a marginally less awful job doing telephone fundraising for a charity. Kept that job for about 6 months. Was able to use that job to get my current job which pays ok, and that I enjoy.