Three practical guides from Night Owl Companion Publishing offer practical tips to individuals seeking work that aligns with their values and skills. Although these books are not specifically directed at people seeking encore careers, they break down the process of finding a job into manageable tasks that are helpful to all job searchers.

Finding the Work You Want: A Practical Guide to Help You Discover Your Values, Skills and Marketability, by Marty Silberstein, is a 47-page workbook that helps answer the questions, “What do I want?” Exercises help you identify your values and identify the characteristics of an ideal employer. A “Decision Maker Tool” allows you to size up prospective employers. $19.95

Your Work Search Companion: A Toolkit for Finding the Best Place to Work, by Marty Silberstein, a 58-page book that includes many helpful tips for tapping the power of the Internet, your own social network and professional associations to find potential employers. It offers far more specific resources than most job hunting guides. $19.95

Re-entering the Workplace: Seven Questions You Must First Ask and Answer, by Beth Witrogen, a 34-page booklet that helps people who have been out of the workforce create an action plan for re-entry. Seven questions zero in on your motivations, skills, workplace preferences, skills and passions. $16.95.

All three softbound books were published in 2009. They are available from Night Owl Companion Publishing in Oakland, Calif.