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« In This Economy, Should You Look for a Job If You Have One? | Main | Sabotage at Work: How to Fight Back »

January 15, 2009

Recession-Proof Jobs

On the radio the other day, I heard an interview with an unemployment office claim processor, who said she could barely keep up with the number of people filing claims. My first thought in these troubled times: That’s job security.


So I started thinking about jobs that are relatively safe in a recession. Some of the few I immediately thought of were obvious ones like working in a funeral home (death happens, whatever the economy), as well as healthcare and education (people need medical treatment and schooling, no matter what). But according to Peter Schiff, author of The Little Book of Bull Moves in Bear Markets, you can add these jobs to the list:

So are any of these jobs appealing to you? Check out the Monster job search to see what opportunities are available. And if you’re looking for work, this advice will help you job search during a recession. Finally, here’s a look at the general hiring outlook for 2009/.

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Posted by Christine on January 15, 2009 at 03:20 PM in Job Search | Permalink | Comments (37) | TrackBack (0)

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Comments

What about the food industry? People are not going to stop eating in a bad economy.

Posted by: David M. Patt, CAE | Jan 18, 2009 7:03:53 PM

Hi Christine. I just wanted to thank you for a helpful and informative blog post. I might mention that job clubs are a great way to share support and provide mutual accountability during a job search (see the article in today's NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/us/25support.html?ref=todayspaper).

I myself started a job club here in Tacoma, Washington recently. We're just getting started, but it's gotten a fantastic repsonse so far, and is a great way to conduct a proactive job search!

http://jobsquadron.wordpress.com/

Posted by: Zak Nelson | Jan 25, 2009 4:12:36 PM

I'm thinking Education is a pretty safe place to be, regardless of sweeping budget cuts across the country. Education is used to budget restrictions, and seems to plan for/adjust well to economic conditions, bad or good. Also, especially at community colleges, enrollment tends to increase during dips in the economy and people head back to school for training/job skills.

Posted by: Rebecca | Jan 27, 2009 2:05:49 PM

Entertainment is not recession-proof. The film industry is hurting, badly. As are magazines.

Posted by: Sarah | Jan 27, 2009 2:26:05 PM

I don't think I would keep education in the 'guarantee' pile. They're laying off teachers. You always need teachers, but you need for states to do a better job budgeting first.

Posted by: Rose | Jan 27, 2009 2:37:07 PM

Recruiting is a huge part of my job, so I meet people from all walks of life, and from all industries. Right now, jobs in the food industry (such as restaurants and catering) are hurting severly, as people conserve their funds. Also, construction is greatly impacted, because banks have made lending money for loans so difficult, the construction industry has nearly ground to a standstill. Commercial fishing is suffering from the combined effects of overfishing, pollution and tightened governmental controls, while entertainment has really suffered in this economy. With movies running nearly $20.00 for 2 tickets, it's not an inexpensive date anymore, and people who are laid off aren't spending money on entertainment products and services. I think I've reduced your list by half, but I will add one industry-insurance. It's still a product people need and value.
Steph Bunch
HR, CA

Posted by: Steph Bunch | Jan 27, 2009 3:24:35 PM

Recession proof industries in my opinion lie within these three areas: culinary arts (food), computer technology (I'm receiving a degree right now in Networking/Information Technology), and automotive services/repair (which a relative of mine is attending APEX Technical School for right now.) Are there any other recession proof industries that I can or should know about??? I would say construction work, but I believe that's in a down turn right now! Let me know, thank you.

Posted by: Rita | Jan 27, 2009 3:24:58 PM

In this economy, as opposed to many in the past, people are cutting back on even the small luxuries. They are eating out less, spending less on impulse (& even necessary items). There is less of a demand for construction, as people are buying fewer homes & investing less in real estate. There is less of a demand for automotive repair, as people are not only not buying cars, but they are not repairing the ones they have. For the first time, in a very long time, people are looking more towards mass transit & alternative modes of transportation, like bicycles. Mass transit could experience more of a boom, if this pattern is recognized & government offices invest in this industry. It is sad that the unemployment offices are experiencing a need for employees (a sad indicator to begin with) while city & county governments are cutting funding & with it, employees, based on old projections. While it's true that even in the worst of economies, someone prospers in some way or another, some of the industries listed above are also laying off workers & experiencing a slump. The data that states otherwise is too old to be of use & needs to be updated. I have heard retail listed in these kinds of lists, despite layoffs, bankruptcies & poor sales projections. Who is hiring under those conditions? The two industries where there may always be a need seem to be the medical & food (not as in restaurants, even the fast food kind, but groceries) fields, along with, possibly mass transit. I hope that there are more & better answers ahead, but right now, times are tough everywhere.

Posted by: samsstuff | Jan 27, 2009 3:55:11 PM

Construction is Recession-Proof?? I WISH THAT WERE TRUE!!

DO you know how many construction sites [new projects] are being put on hold some are all ready in progress canceled ect because of the recession?

Posted by: Jon | Jan 27, 2009 4:07:20 PM

I must beg to differ in the healthcare industry, however. While being a doctor, say, might be a fairly safe bet, my mother works as a receptionist, and more than one of her coworkers has been laid off since this economic recession began. Even healthcare jobs can be at risk during a recession (if only because people are suddenly out of insurance and can't come to the doc for that cold of theirs).

Posted by: Jack | Jan 27, 2009 4:15:54 PM

I'm not entirely sure how recession proof some of those areas are. I have a degree in Computer Engineering (Engineering/Computers and High Technology) and I was laid off, along with a good number of people in my company. Many of my friends are in a similar position, or dealing with the stress of not knowing if in a few months it'll be them that gets the axe.

Posted by: E J Questell | Jan 27, 2009 4:27:05 PM

Right here, right now in Austin,Texas RNs and LVNs and accountants and teachers are NEEDED --YESTERDAY!
BILINGUAL ANYTHING --Spanish/English is HUGE too.

Unfortunately, by the time you get finished training the employers have raised the bar again and they tend to expect YOU to pay THEM for the privilege of working in Austin but then as my African American friends say "SOME JOB IS BETTER THAN NO JOB."

Posted by: Joe Ocho | Jan 27, 2009 5:18:11 PM

And Child care is still needed unless people stay at home and look after their own children. You can even start your own business at home doing Family Day Care.

Posted by: Jennifer | Jan 27, 2009 5:21:10 PM

Protective services is another job category which I believe will only grow in the coming years.

Posted by: Dave | Jan 27, 2009 6:56:32 PM

what about law enforcement and security jobs? with the amount of business's gout out of business crime would probably rise a little leaving the need to have security to watch places and officers to arrest evil doers.

Posted by: Sabrina Baxter | Jan 28, 2009 12:03:12 AM

From what I hear from all of my college professors, is that a government job is the most secure job there is now. Because, if the government start cutting jobs then our economy is in far greater trouble than we think. So far, that has not happened and the only legitimate business owners and companies are downsizing.

Posted by: Lacy Smith | Jan 28, 2009 12:06:04 AM

What about the food industry! I was replaced by a manager 20 years younger, who was just promoted from a server position. I had 20+ years experience in management! As soon as they got her in place, and "I" helped her get up to speed, they could not get rid of me quick enough! Restaurants have had to tighten their belts too. Between the rising minimum wage and the economy, experienced knowledgeable managers are a luxury they can do without. If your next meal is less than exceptional, look around and see who's in charge!

Posted by: John B | Jan 28, 2009 12:09:26 AM

i think the most secure jobs comes under three categories 1st one is the food industry 2nd on is the medical industry and third one is the government jobs.What ever may be the economic situation people must need food to survive.If economy is in booming or slowdown stage the are less chance that the people are not affected by diseases so there is no downfall in medical industry.
If government jobs are not much vulnerable to economic meltdown and they are more secure stabilized and long lasting

Posted by: Rathesh | Jan 28, 2009 1:25:30 AM

This could easily be a description of my experience within a temp to permanent job I started September last year. I had the same thing happen to me. Only this person - it seemed to me at the time anyway - appeared to be pretty well respected by most of the people she worked with. I tolerated the situation as best as I could, but within only weeks it got to the stage I was seriously considering reporting her to somebody as she had begun to intefere with how I went about my job alot (under the guise of doing it just to be helpful and do the right thing by the department). I ended up taking a couple of days off work to decide how best to handle the situation as while I didn't want to do the wrong thing it was stressing me out no end, and beginning to affect my health. As things turned out though it was a decision I didn't have to make in the end as got a call from my agency during the time off telling me the company didn't want me returning. Supposedly because of my lack of experience, but this didn't ring quite true as they had said prior to me starting the job that my lack of experience in certain areas was not a problem. I can never know for sure, but I've always suspected she had something to do with that.

Posted by: Emma | Jan 28, 2009 5:13:04 AM

Electrical utilities & Power companies can be added to this list.
also municipal services ( sanitation , water etc.).

Posted by: Mike | Jan 28, 2009 6:55:24 AM

i am a little concerned. I don't see healthcare, namely nursing, as a recession-proof job. I could work 24/7 if i wanted. Is healthcare not considered a job?

Posted by: eva | Jan 28, 2009 7:29:42 AM

Construction?? Are you kidding? The construction industry has almost skidded to a complete stop with this recession. Thousands of workers, in my area alone, have been laid off with vague predictions of work in a couple months. When the banking industry stopped giving loans, this made companies unable to continue with construction plans. Maybe for personal housing, I don't know about that field, but for any type of industrial construction, they are hurting!

Check your facts before giving suggestions!

Posted by: Kori Dorn | Jan 28, 2009 5:14:30 PM

I don't know where Peter Schiff has been, but construction is not Recession-Proof, especially now that no one is building new homes. I should know, my husband is in that field and has had a hard time finding work. How old is this book, anyway?

Posted by: Cicely | Jan 28, 2009 8:56:31 PM

yeah, but they might not wana spend on processed food. :P

Posted by: itrat | Jan 29, 2009 1:03:07 AM

Do not forget about certain trades. In my area, there is a constant demand for over-the-road truck drivers. I see many ads for welders. Corrections facilities also need corrections officers -- there is always going to be crime....

Posted by: Sheryl | Jan 29, 2009 1:23:18 AM

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