When all you read is gloom, turn here for a much different perspective.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Recession-Proof Jobs - Part 2

Even though recovery has begun many job seekers continue to be effected by the recession just past. Many are beginning or in the midst of their search for new careers. I've written about recession proof jobs, careers and industries before, but here is yet another look.

- Jobs that Protect Life and Property – Jobs like firefighters, paramedics, police officers, 9-1-1 dispatchers, and other security staff are always in demand. In state and local budgets, these personnel are likely the last to be cut in the case of staff reductions.

- Health Services – Nurses, doctors, psychologists and psychotherapists are always in high demand. Additional caregivers and medical assistants, particularly home health assistants are growing in demand.

- Legal Jobs – The legal services sector seems to always be strong. Lawyers and paralegals in the claims and compensation sectors, or those dealing with bankruptcies, and contractual disputes usually see more work during recessions.

- Repair Techs – Skilled service techs like plumbers, electricians and auto mechanics typically do not lose their jobs during recessions. When new houses are not being built or new cars not bought, emergency home and auto repairs become vital. As homes and cars age they need to be servicing with greater incidence.

- Personal Care Professionals – Barbers, hair stylists, and cosmetologists typically are not effected during economic down drafts.

- Energy Jobs - The real boost in these jobs will come from federal and state government commitments to a more efficient energy systems. Power plant operators with vocational training, insulation works with secondary education and electrical power-line installers and repairers are likely to have jobs as energy demands continue to increase.

- Green Jobs - With nationwide push to make homes and office buildings more energy-efficient and the drive to develop alternative energy sources (solar, wind, nuclear) as well as fuel cell technology, any job involved with wind power, either the design or related products, will likely be recession proof. Environmental scientists, environmental engineers and hydrologists are all great choices.

- Sales and Marketing – Businesses need to market more aggressively in hard times. Skilled marketing and salespeople working on commission pay basis always keep their jobs even during the recession days.

- Education – The need for trained educators and their support personnel are frequently highly sought after even during economic dips. A review of the professions listed above yields the need for training in these recession proof occupations. As job seekers look to transition to other careers, demand for teaching professionals increases dramatically.

For more specifics on 150 careers, their average salaries, and the growth potential of each, have a look at the Time article titled, "The 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs Overall" or the excellent book, "150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs."

You may also remember that these 28 national firms are offering over 50,000 jobs. And these firms say, "No Layoffs - Ever!"

4 comments:

  1. I appreciate what you're trying to do here -- really, I do. But two things:
    1) "many jobseekers continue to be effected by the recession. . ." (emphasis mine) Deliberate word choice or freudian slip? Because yes, the recession continues to effect, or create, unemployed jobseekers.

    2) As an attorney who has been unsuccessfully seeking work since October, I am wondering what facts you base your assessment of the legal services sector upon. The reality is that the legal services sector has been one of the hardest hit by this particular recession, with a job market worse even than what the profession faced in the early 1980s. Firms continue to lay off attorneys and staff, and in an effort to appease clients, virtually no one is hiring. The market is utterly flooded.

    The NEED for legal services remains high, but the nature of the profession is that no one is willing to pay for it. Nurses and caregivers aren't getting jobs because all funding has been cut. Teachers are being laid off in droves.

    Your intentions are good, and it could be a useful post. But Good News is only helpful if it is remotely accurate -- otherwise, the contrast with reality is even more depressing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the comments Nora.

    I am sorry to hear that you have been unsuccessful in finding work since Oct. I have personally been in your shoes before after being laid off. It is a most uncomfortable and frustrating position to be in. It is one of the reasons that I post so many articles on jobs that *are* available. (In my case it took over 10 months, dozens of interviews, and a geographic relocation to finally land full-time work again) Looking and landing a position is in and of itself a full-time job (one that many of us are not qualified for).

    I don't agree however that no one is willing to pay for legal services right now. It just depends on the TYPE of legal service you need. Are the firms you refer to in contractual disputes? How about estate planning? Or bankruptcy law? Those areas are extremely strong right now.

    The harsh reality of recessions are that good people lose jobs and likely will *not* find ones that are exactly like those that they lost.

    My advice from first hand experience is to look beyond the niche you were in to adjacent industries or adjacent legal niches...

    I am not sure where you get your data on nursing and caregivers. Here is one source with a significant list of care-giving options in all salary ranges...
    http://www.indeed.com/jobs?bloc=1&q=caring

    Funding for caregivers particularly for private home care is extremely strong.

    I'd be more than happy to help you with your search. If you are interested in free job search coaching or advice, feel free to contact me at good.news.econ@gmail.com

    Best,
    Eldon

    ReplyDelete
  3. Eldon,

    I have to agree with Nora on the legal market. I'm a partner at a large national law firm and it's very ugly for lawyer employment right now. Workloads are down across the board, except for bankruptcy and tax. The industry has never seen the number of layoffs experienced and most do not think it will come back to the levels experienced a few years ago. Firms are deferring new hires (and sometimes rescinding offers) and cancelling summer programs for next year. Contrary to the "green shoots" observed, there is virtually no lending for corporate and real estate transactions. Litigation is also less busy than expected for a recession because corporations don't have the money to fight. If you don't believe me, check out abovethelaw.com. It documents the carnage in the legal industy. If you're considering options for grad school, I'd steer clear of law school for a few years.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Getting a great job anywhere in the world can be a learning process.

    ReplyDelete

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