Job hunting is hard, especially if you haven't done it in years. In fact, in most of us, it inspires an impending sense of dread and doom. But, the hardest part is actually just getting started. Whether you're dreading revising your dated resume, unsure what to do with LinkedIn, or you just need to know that what you're doing is the right move, it's not easy. 

That's why Career Contessa Mentor and professional career coach, Alyson Garrido, weighed in on what she recommends you do long before you sit down to write a cover letter.

This 10-step checklist will help you dust yourself off, shake things up, and just generally own the process. Use it to get all your essentials in order.