Loyal to her company, Jane Helfen figured she’d have the option to move on when she was ready, but an unexpected layoff stirred her to a networking frenzy. It worked.

Every job search tells a story. I’ve got a story; you’ve got a story; and millions of your fellow senior job seekers on TheLadders have stories. TheLadders’ editorial team is here to share those stories with you every Tuesday in our new Job Search Solutions e-mail newsletter. Watch this space for articles about your peers about the tactics they’ve employed to find a job and change their story.

Use professionalism and these strategies in your resume, cover letter and interviews when answering this tough question about past employment: "Why did you leave?"

Our 48 best articles on job search, all of our best advice, in one email.

Older candidates aren't the only ones who worry about how they're perceived by employers. Younger candidates for senior positions can take a few steps to raise their credibility.