Can you confidently say that your job is safe even when a recession suddenly strikes? Recessions come almost every 7-8 years. Do you have a job that will keep you secured through the tough times? These are recession proof jobs for you.
One day, the economy is booming, and the next day, businesses are struggling.
Since the economy is a continuous cycle, highs will be inevitably followed by lows in the form of recessions or, in worst-case scenarios, even depressions.
A faltering economy makes consumers tighten their belts. Most businesses cut down on unnecessary expenses while the government experiences hiring constraints.
As a result, people are interested to know if there are recession-proof jobs that can save them when the economy hits an all-time low. This is a bit tough since all job positions and professions are unique. There is no such thing as a solid guarantee here.
Good thing that there are still jobs that remain essential for society to function normally and properly. So, whatever happens, there will continue to be a demand for those people who can carry out these jobs.
While it is too much to consider them as 100% recession-proof jobs, these are as close as they can get to being secured careers during tough times.
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What Are the Common Characteristics of Recession-Proof Jobs?
What makes a job recession-proof?
The first one is the extent or degree to which a specific job or industry is critical for society’s normal functions. Without nurses, doctors, public utilities, and law enforcement, communities would becomechaotic in a matter of days.
Another factor is an urgent pain or struggle on the part of the consumer. If your child is sick or there is a crime taking place, you know what you need, and you are willing to pay to solve the problem.
Lastly, most recession-proof jobs require specialized experience and training. When tax season is just around the corner, most families are willing to hire professional tax experts to make sure that an audit won’t happen.
There is no need to worry though if your current job doesn’t fit these requirements. There are still tons of jobs that are essential to people’s well-being and the society’s continued order.
Best Recession-Proof Jobs
Pharmacists and Medical Professionals
During the time of writing, most countries all over the world are in lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic—a crisis that no one expected to happen.
As a result, healthcare professionals are on the frontlines, making their profession one of the most recession-proof jobs right now.
Although it might be too late for you to go to medical school and become a doctor, you can apply for associate degrees or even diplomas for you to become a registered nurse. This usually takes around two to three years.
Social Workers and Caregivers
It doesn’t matter if the economy is unstable or not because the most vulnerable groups of people—including children, older people, and homeless people—still need extra attention and care.
During trying times, including the current outbreak of COVID-19, these people will need additional care as they rely mostly on caregivers if their family is not with them.
If you are someone who loves to help others, this career is worth considering because aside from giving you the chance to help others and do good, these are also recession-proof jobs.
Law Enforcement and Police Officers
Law enforcement professionals and police officers are in high demand, specifically during critical times. Just take note though that while these jobs are recession-proof, they also tend to be the most dangerous, an important aspect to think about before you switch careers.
Mental Health Providers
It might not come as a surprise that there is a surge of demand for mental health providers during periods of recession. After all, it is understandable that people suffer from depression when things go south.
However, what is surprising here is that they are still willing to spend money on these services that can be considered a premium.
People need to seek the help and guidance of an expert as they deal with mental health issues, and for this reason, these jobs are considered some of the most recession-proof jobs you can find today.
Data Analysts
Every year, data analysts experience a growing demand for their career as they come in handy in almost all types of fields. A data analyst is someone who collects, processes, and translates data to easy language so that organizations can reach better decisions.
If there will be another recession looming on the horizon, becoming a data analyst can save you in more ways than one.
IT Professionals
As technology becomes more advanced each day and people rely more on the internet and on computers, it wouldn’t be too much to say that IT professionals can stay safe even if things get harder in the economy.
There are many recession-proof jobs in the IT industry that are paid well too. These include technical support specialist, network administrator, computer systems analyst, web developer, mobile application developer, IT manager, and software engineer.
Law Professionals
Although you might instantly think of judges and lawyers every time you hear about a law degree holder, this is not really the case all the time.
There are many other kinds of jobs in the legal field that are recession-proof, including lecturer, customs officer, legal executive, and civil service professional.
Environment Specialists
Back in the days, environmental specialist jobs weren’t recession-proof at all. However, things have changed, and now, these professionals can overcome recession periods without any difficulty.
Public Utility Workers
The public utility workers have always been and will always be in higher demand because all urban areas depend on them. These utility workers typically handle maintenance activities in various areas like gas, water, electricity/power, garbage, telecommunications, and more.
Marketing Professionals
This one might be a bit contradictory to you, but there is a good reason why marketing experts can still do well even if a recession occurs.
In the previous recessions, when most companies suffered from financial struggles, marketing was often the first area where they cut costs.
Today, companies learned from these mistakes as they realized that reducing their budgets for marketing and firing people would only make them invisible in the already competitive market.
Following the spread of COVID-19 and with most people now working from home, marketing experts are actually lucky since they get the chance to perform their full-time duties at home.
If you are already a marketing professional, you can keep yourself prepared for any possible recessions by specializing in one marketing area since companies now prefer to hire experts instead of generalists.
You can also take on freelance work and offer your marketing services remotely. It is not too late for you to be in the marketing field as there are now lots of free online courses that you can take advantage of.
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Worst Jobs to Have During a Recession
There are several jobs that don’t do well during a recession, and some of these are the following:
Construction and Supporting Industries
The health of the economy has a significant impact on the construction industry. When there is tight or limited access to personal and business lending, construction projects are often put on hold. Delays can also be observed even on smaller-scale projects like home remodeling.
This can affect all contractors, including general contractors, carpenters, plumbers, roofers, and electricians. Supporting industries such as cement and lumber manufacturing are also negatively affected.
Auto Dealerships and Sales of Other Motor Vehicles
If a family relies on a single paycheck, big toys can wait. Companies selling motorcycles, boats, and RVs see a sales decline together with auto dealerships. People invest in the repair of existing vehicles instead of leasing or buying new ones.
Printing and Other Related Services
When budgets are limited, businesses opt to get rid of non-essential expenses. Services such as plate making, data imaging, business card and brochure printing, and bookbinding tend to suffer from declining demand.
The pieces of equipment in large-scale printing shops are often pricey, and there is no room to reduce expenses. One of the possible solutions to survive is to manage the costs of labor through layoffs.
How to Look for a Job During a Recession
When the economic climate doesn’t look too good, it is important to remain proactive, calm, and patient. Here are a few tips on how to go job hunting when a recession takes place:
Be careful in choosing your targets.
Make sure that you spend your energy and time on opportunities that interest you and have the best chance of coming to fruition.
Choose several companies that catch your attention. Pursue them even if they don’t have current openings.
Focus on growth industries.
Once again, remember that jobs that alleviate pain are recession-proof. Industries such as oil and energy and even the defense industry are expected to thrive in the coming years.
Use your network to your advantage.
Old connections can go a long way when it comes to job hunting. Stay in touch with the people in your network. Let them know that you are looking, and you will be surprised how they can point you toward new opportunities.
Market yourself.
When the economy is unstable, it is no longer enough that you just learn about the company you are eyeing to join. Your preparation must also include how you can talk about yourself in a more powerful and meaningful way.
Try your luck as a freelancer.
Since things can be uncertain during a recession, you will never know when a potential employer will suffer a blow. To ensure that money will still flow, you can start freelancing to put food on the table while searching for a full-time job.
Go for a temporary position.
Becoming a temp is another good alternative if you don’t find it practical to be a freelancer. You can try interim staffing that will fill a temporary job position in spite of the economy.
You can also take on a temp position in the company you have always wanted to work in. Most temp positions pay well to help you pay your bills until you find a permanent position.
Pay attention to the small details.
Personal touches should never be forgotten no matter how tough job hunting can go. Avoid using a template for your cover letter. See to it that every letter talks about the specific qualities or skills that the company is searching for.
Send a thank you email or note after your interview. This correspondence is a good chance for you to go through weak spots in your interview.
Keep that positivity. SMILE 😊
The most important thing to remember when looking for a job during an economic downturn is maintaining your positivity. Yes, you might not find your dream job, but that doesn’t mean that there is no job out there for you.
Final Word
A recession can be painful, and only a handful of people can stay immune. There are some professions that suffer from a more serious hit than others when a recession occurs while others can survive without getting harmed.
If you think that your days at your current job might be numbered or you are recently out of work, the recession-proof jobs mentioned above can serve as your safe havens during economic turmoil.
Even though there is no guarantee that they won’t experience any damages, these jobs will see more demand compared to others when the economy goes downhill.