Unemployment can happen at any time to anyone in America; to young men and women, to baby boomers, senior citizens and anyone in between.

In March 2013, Maine had 7.1 percent unemployment, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job hiring has picked up this past year, yet still has a long way to go. Many long out-of-work people have given up looking for jobs. New job seekers will have a tough time competing for many skilled jobs. Younger people, from ages 18 to 23 years old, will find jobs even more difficult to obtain, because the changing depressed economic landscape still affects job placements.

Most higher salaried jobs available today require from three to five years prior experience. The market is still good for professional people in marketing, accounting, social work, hospital jobs, teachers in special education, and business management positions. It favors the job seekers who are 50 years old and older, who want to work in the same occupation from which they were previously laid off. In many instances, the salaries offered will probably be lower, but might still be acceptable to older job seekers.

But if you are unemployed, there are three major alternatives you can consider; changing your career; improving your present skills in order to enhance your marketability for your current occupation; or starting your own small business.

Job opportunities will increase as the economy improves, but why wait and do nothing, when you can act to improve your prospects.  One way is to change your career direction through education. 

Maine offers apprenticeship programs for on-the-job training in manufacturing, retail services, construction, health care, information technology, computerization use, and high school apprenticeship training in the 11th and 12th grades for welding, electrical and plumbing trades.

The CareerCenter in Biddeford helps place youths in the Job Corps and in Maine’s Conservation Corps, on environmental and conservation projects. Youths serve up to 10-month commitments. The CareerCenter also trains adults and veterans on new job skills, workforce training and updating labor needs in the area. It is an excellent source for locating job opportunities.

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 prepares young people from 14 to 21 years old, who are low income and need assistance to get and hold employment. The age cap was increased to 24 years old in 2009, and now includes veterans, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

York County Community College, the Saco branch of University of Southern Maine and the University of New England all have excellent business courses in accounting, computers, writing, finance and marketing to improving specific skills for jobs.

Educating out-of-work employees with up-to-date skills opens the door back to jobs they did before. Learning how to be interviewed for a job takes practice, preparation and highlighting your job experiences and strengths.

One great asset is to have computer skills. Learning to use computers trains out-of-work operators to work by computerization on the same or similar machines. Computers also increase efficiencies in sales, marketing, finances, accounting, reviewing inventories and specific trade skills necessary in today’s rapidly changing technology climate.

Many factory workers in machine shops lost their jobs because computer technology changed old, costly procedures by automating machine fabricating operations, increasing productivity ”“ and reducing employees. One example was converting to automated machine centers that do up to 10 machining operations at one time, which before were done by an employee in 10 separate operations.

A third option is to consider starting your own small business from your house, if you’ve searched for a job for a long time and have now stopped looking. Start a business yourself, take in a partner or a family member. But be prepared with a business plan. Take basic business courses like accounting, finance, marketing and business writing at a local community college or four-year college, or from SCORE, to help you set up your business plan.

And finally, think about marketing your goods or services on the Internet by using not only traditional media but also social media like Twitter, Facebook, Craigslist and Google. They’re cheap, fast and give you great sales coverage.

Things will get better in the job marketplace. Education increases your knowledge for the skills needed to find the job that is right for you. You can use the new skills you learn to help you get a better job opportunity.

— Bernard Featherman is a business columnist for the Journal Tribune and former president of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce.