There are few things more daunting than searching for a job when you’re unemployed – except perhaps searching for a job when you’re unemployed and the economy is in recession. Oh, and let’s not forget that in addition to the nation’s current economic woes, it’s also the holiday season – a time when conventional wisdom suggests that your odds of being struck by lightning are greater than your chances of getting hired.
Is a job search during a recession doomed for failure?
Not if you think creatively, search aggressively, and maintain a positive outlook and forward momentum!
I’m not going to “blow smoke” here – it’s true that our current recession makes for a decidedly tough job market. Job seekers will likely face some considerable challenges in the months ahead, and it seems that almost daily I’m reading scary reports of more large layoffs occurring nationwide. But the news isn’t all bleak. Consider the following:
– CNET’s Webware blog reported just ten days ago that there are more tech companies with job openings than there are ones initiating layoffs.
– Monster Worldwide’s CEO Salvatore Iannuzzi said in a recent interview with CNBC that a number of sectors are still hiring strong, including government, healthcare, protective services, mining, and exploration.
– In their recent “Who’s Hiring in This Economy?” special report, a Cleveland, OH TV network news affiliate checked the latest numbers from Manpower (the world leader in temporary, temp-to-hire, contract, and permanent employment services); Forbes magazine; and the networking service JobFox.com to find what each consider to be the top “recession-proof” jobs. They predict continued job openings in areas including:
* Accounting: The more companies reorganize, the more accountants they need.
* Nursing: One field where there is still a shortage, with openings at many hospitals.
* Physical Therapy: Openings exist at many hospitals.
* IT: With companies keeping computers longer, they need people to fix them and update software.
* Commission Sales Reps: In a recession, companies are desperate for good salespeople.
* Security: You can’t have enough security these days.
* Building Maintenance: As companies hold off on new offices, it’s paramount that they take care of existing facilities.
* The U.S. Census Bureau: Now hiring thousands of workers to prepare for Census 2010.