When a form opens, I would like a prompt to ask for a parameter entry and find a matching record. If no record is found, give an error message with options to exit or add a record.
For example, when I open the form, I am prompted to enter a job number. When I enter S1000, if this record exists, it is located. If not, I can either exit the form (possible without opening it) or open the form to a blank form that I can add this project. any ideas?

Take a look at the search options sample here:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/qaissuper/Index.html