Are There Recession-Proof Jobs?

Layoffs, rising interest rates and other economic turmoil are in the news. A recession is brewing. Even if you currently feel stable in your job, experts recommend preparing early and considering your career goals. Or if you have been laid off or are considering a career pivot, this may be a great time to look into some industries that are considered recession-proof.???

By?Helen Harris

The career landscape of today has many of us on edge.?

In July of this year, Trading Economics reported that U.S.-based companies announced plans to cut 25,810 jobs from their payrolls — a 36.3% increase from the 18,942 cuts announced in July of 2021. This percentage was also the second-highest number of job cuts in the year so far, just below the 16-month high of 32,517 cuts made in June 2022.?

As signs of an economic recession loom, particular sectors of concern include the automotive sector, the technology sector and financial firms, cutting 9,510, 3,558 and 1,327 jobs, respectively.?

With so much uncertainty surrounding the job market and the troubling news of layoffs in the media, you may be wondering, “Is my job recession-proof?”??

And the answer is no. No job is truly unaffected by the recession, but there are steps you can take to prepare and best adjust your career goals and outlook.?

“No matter how hard you work, how valuable your skills are or how amazing your performance has been year over year, you can still be let go from factors beyond your control,” said Anne Genduso, certified career coach. “You can still be let go from factors beyond your control, and it’s not your fault. But it is possible to prepare, so you’re well-poised for a job search ahead of your next move — whether you’re laid off or see the writing on the wall.”?

How To Prepare Your Career for a Recession

While the number of layoffs you see in the news is disheartening, CNBC points out that for every two job openings for every unemployed person in the current labor market, employees should be able to hold the line better than during past economic downturns.

“The nation’s employers were dealing with skills shortages before Covid triggered the last recession,” said Richard Wahlquist, president and CEO of the American Staffing Association, to CNBC. “Workers with skills in high demand today will likely be in high demand even when the economy tips back into a recession.”?

This is uplifting news, but you still need to prepare for the future of your career.?

You want to have your resume and portfolio and any other relevant work up-to-date. You should be networking and taking the pulse of what is going on in your industry. If you wait until layoffs have already happened to start gathering your materials and looking for jobs, others who have prepared are already steps ahead of you.?

Genduso offers the following tips to follow as you prepare:

• Get crystal clear on what you want next so you can start shedding what doesn’t align with your goals and start working toward what does.
• Update your resume and lock down your interview prep to articulate your unique value to hiring managers.
• Bolster your personal brand with an All-Star LinkedIn profile, plenty of work samples and thought-leadership content.
• Grow your network and keep existing connections active through consistent nurturing and engagement.

“These actions help you boost your career at any time, so you attract new opportunities and are well-poised for your next move,” said Genduso. “Because the best time to start your job search is before you need a job.”?

Jobs Less Affected by a Recession?

Not everyone is not going to make a career shift just because there is a recession, and they certainly don’t need to.?

CNBC reports that even though job seekers will likely receive fewer offers in the coming months as companies tighten budgets and become more discerning when bringing on new talent, it doesn’t believe employees will lose the footing they’ve gained over the past two years.

“Workers won’t be keen to simply give up that balance, and employers must realize satisfied workers are more loyal and productive than their disgruntled counterparts,” said William Chamberlain, careers expert and head of marketing at Hirect, to CNBC. “In other words, it’s too early to take a job out of fear. Recession or not, job seekers should keep their expectations high and not sell themselves short.”?

Erin Kennedy, “Top Exec’s Secret Weapon,” Forbes & Jobscan top-followed expert and career storyteller, echoes this sentiment, stating that she advises not to take a job just because of the recession alone.

“If you are on the fence and maybe unhappy in your job anyways, now's a great time to switch into something maybe more consistent — especially if you're in a role that you feel like the company's wavering,” said Kennedy. “Or maybe you just feel like it's not something that you want to do anymore.”?

As far as jobs that are more affected by an economic downturn, Sound Dollar notes that if an industry doesn’t provide or serve a basic necessity, there’s a higher risk of getting laid off.

A few such industries include hospitality, tourism and leisure services.?

“Of course, all jobs are necessary, both to the people who create them and the people who fill them,” said Rita Trehan, founder of Dare Worldwide, in Sound Dollar. “But during a recession, many people don’t see it that way.”

If you do feel the urge to make a career shift, Kennedy urges you to consider one of these careers:?

• Ultrasound technician?
• Nurse?
• Doctor?
• Dentist?
• Dental hygienist?
• Instrument technician
• Pharmacist or pharmacy technician
• Physician assistant?
• Social worker
• Police or fireman?
• Mechanic?
• Attorney
• Teacher

Kennedy also mentions that if you’ve always wanted to get into healthcare or social work or a government job such as the police or fire department, now is a great time to make that career pivot. These jobs are considered more recession-proof and could provide you with the stability and career fulfillment you crave.?

Top Takeaways

Are There Recession-Proof Jobs?

• No job is truly unaffected by the recession, but there are steps you can take to prepare and best adjust your career goals and outlook.
• Update your resume and portfolio. Begin networking and learn what is going on in your industry.?
• Not everyone is not going to make a career shift just because there is a recession, and they certainly don’t need to.?
• If you've always wanted to get into healthcare or social work or a government job such as the police or fire department, now is a great time to make that career pivot. These jobs are considered more recession-proof and could provide you with the stability and career fulfillment you crave.?