I haven't worked in a while. How do I get back out there?

It feels hopeless, my resume is antiquated, the last time I was formally employed was in 2003 and that was for home depot, where I terminated myself by not showing up. Basically I don't have a great track record, I think I was fired from last three jobs. It was my fault, I was going through mental health and substance abuse problems. Generally I'm a social person with good people skills, and I have office skills, basic computer knowledge and a good phone manner. I'm thinking I could be an administrative assistant again.

I'm hoping everything's under control again, I'm in a program and I genuinely have a desire to change. I really need to go back to work, not only for financial reasons, but as an occupational therapy.

How do I explain the gaps in my resume? Do I contact my old employers, even the ones that I was on questionable terms with, or was terminated by? I think they like me as a person, there was no hard feelings, usually it was me quitting or leaving, due to my problem.

Don't worry about the gaps in your resume. When you have to account for the gaps in employment, state that you were unemployed, sick, incarcerated or self-emplyed and working for an idiot - whichever applies. When you get called for an interview, be honest with whoever is conducting the interview - they are usually favoraly impressed by someone who is taking positive steps to improve their life.

Don't look back. Starting today, you are a new and improved person. Take your old resume and use only the info you need. Don't use former employers who you dumped on back then and be creative with your present resume. You can always use the domestic engineer as a reference to your experience, you can use your rehab as education. Sell yourself to your new employer. The time you spent unemployed will be covered. Good Luck and stay clean.