U.S. unemployment dropped to a near-three-year low of 8.3 percent in January on an unexpected hiring surge by the country's private employers, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The good news wasn't shared by all midlife workers, though. Despite the overall downward trend, the jobless rate for workers 45 and older rose slightly, to 6.6 percent in January, from 6.3 percent in November and December, according to the labor bureau. However, the unemployment rate for workers 55 and older dipped to 5.9 percent, the lowest since February 2009.

There was a time when the toughest question you might encounter during a job interview was "What's your biggest flaw?"

These days, companies such as Google, Amazon and Trader Joe's include questions in job interviews that are tricky, challenging or just plain off the wall.

In an age of online job applications, many people think that mid-life job changers don't have to submit a cover letter with a resume because harried human-resources staff won't have time to read it.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Done right, a cover letter can hook an HR staffer or hiring manager from the opening sentence, especially the letter articulates why you're qualified for the job, what you can do for the company's bottom line or who you already know there who could vouch for your awesomeness.

Hanna Phan (left) did everything career experts tell you to do when you're job hunting, including setting up her profile on job boards, scouring online job listings and interviewing with recruiters. Nothing worked.

That's when Phan, a presentation design specialist, decided to take her job search down a more unconventional path. She scrapped her traditional resume in favor of an interactive one that she created using software from SlideRocket, one of the companies where she wanted to work.

Last week's announcement that the unemployment rate dipped to 8.5 percent was welcome news, but this may be even better: Bloomberg News reports that companies are hiring increasing numbers of new workers as executives rush to prepare for greater demand as the economy recovers.

The employers adding staff in droves range from Boeing, which is hiring 100 new union machinists each week in anticipation of boosting its output of aircraft by 60 percent over the next two years, to yogurt maker Chobani, which is hiring 300 workers to staff a new plant in Idaho, according to Bloomberg's Thomas Black.

How do you start your workday? Do you hop onto Facebook or Twitter for a few minutes to see what's up?

There's nothing wrong with that -- unless a few minute turns into half an hour, then an hour, and before you know it, half the morning's gone and you haven't accomplished anything.

On your first job interview in years, you wouldn't wear a suit that went out of style during the Clinton administration.

But when it comes to resumes, people don't think twice about presenting themselves to prospective employers in a format that screams "outdated."

The economy got a booster shot Friday: U.S. unemployment in December dipped slightly to 8.5 percent, the lowest it's been since February 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The December jobless rate for people 45 and older remained steady at 6.3 percent, the lowest it's been in three years.

The old saying that the only constant is change aptly describes the American workplace in 2012.

You may be in the same position at the same place you've worked for years. But the economy, technology and demographics are transforming how you get your job done.

Thinking of trading in the same old, same old for a new gig in the New Year?

Whether you're going after a new career or launching a business, here are some pointers for how to get started, culled from SecondAct's best advice for would-be career changers.

1. Follow your heart.