Recession-Proof Your Executive Job Search and Career

 

According to a report at Yahoo! Hot Jobs, even though indicators suggest a recession that can hit job seekers hard is looming in the near future, several employment sectors promise to remain or become strong.

John Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, reassures that careers in the following fields will likely weather the storm:

• Education
• Energy
• Health Care
• International Business
• Environmental Sector
• Security

Conversely, employment sectors where the slump may worsen include:

• Housing (and spreading to real estate, investment banks, engineering, and architecture)
• State and local government jobs (as tax revenues shrink)
• Industries dependent on discretionary spending (such as restaurants and retail)
• Manufacturing (which may continue to wait for an upswing)

3 tips to keep in mind while navigating an executive job search in this unsteady economic climate:

1. Be true to your personal brand. You know what you’re good at doing and where your passions lie. Follow what works best for you, resulting in a satisfying, fulfilled worklife.

2. Your next job may not be in your first-choice field. Remain flexible and adjust your sights, if necessary, toward other sectors that will benefit from your strengths, talents, and value.

As a business leader, your skills and unique promise of value will probably transcend any particular industry. If a key attribute is your ability to extract maximum value from project teams and build cross-organizational cohesion, won’t that apply in diverse sectors?

3. Communicate your value proposition and personal brand at all times. Be able to provide supporting evidence and compelling “career success stories” of contributions to past employers to back up the value you will bring to your next employer. Help them see that you are a good hiring investment and will be a good fit for their company.

 

Related post:

Will Your Executive Resume Go the Distance in the Bear Market?