Recession Proof Your Job Search with These Strategies

The Great Resignation is showing no signs of stopping. According to our State of Online Recruiting Report, 57.3% of employed people are actively or passively searching for a new job (up from 48.5% in 2021). While the candidate-centered market has rewarded job seekers during the past year's hiring surge, workers are mindful of a storm on the horizon. Inflation is sparking fears of a coming recession, as 43.5% of candidates worry about economic uncertainty impacting their job search in the next year.

Even in a job seekers’ market, it takes an average of 22.1 weeks to find a new job, so it is important to prepare for a long journey to land where you want to be. Whether you are looking to move on to greener pastures or are simply looking to re-enter the labor force, here are a few job searching tips in an economic downturn you should incorporate:

Make a Plan

Where is your ideal landing spot? What type of position and salary are you seeking? These questions will help you start your search. Once you define where you want to end up, you can map out what you need to do next. Then, look at the requirements of the positions you are seeking, ensure your skills are up to date and match those listed in the job posting, and find ways to bridge any skills gaps you have (more on that later).

Polish Your Resume and Online Presence

Your resume is an employer's first impression of you. Beyond keeping the document up to date, your resume must tell the story of your career in a way that is easy to follow. Before you search for a new job, look at your resume and LinkedIn profile and consider refreshing them to highlight your achievements, especially any that may have happened since your last update.

Find Your Next Job Quickly

Sign In to Find Your Next Job Faster

Get Started

Sign in with Google

Sign in with LinkedIn

Sign in with Apple

Or, use your email address:

Next

We value your privacy.

Look at Recession-Proof Industries

Some industries are more resistant to the whims of the economy than others. If job searching during a recession worries you, consider searching for jobs in the following fields:

• Healthcare
• Government
• Computers/Information Technology
• Education

People depend on the services provided by these fields, whether the economy is growing or shrinking, meaning there is always a demand for workers in various roles within the industry.

Lean on Your Network

Over three-fourths (75.5%) of employers rely on employee referrals to recruit new hires, according to our State of Online Recruiting Report (up 5% from a year ago). Getting a coveted referral requires consistently engaging with (and growing) your network. Whether your connection is a former co-worker or someone in your field, having a web full of people willing to advocate for you is invaluable to getting you where you want in your career.

Build New Skills

Expanding your repertoire of skills is always useful for growing your career, and it is even more important in a sluggish economy. Invest in your development with webinars and online courses to build marketable skills that will help your search efforts.

Do Some Freelance Work

Another way to build your skills, expand your network, and supplement your income is through freelance work. Offering your abilities to different employers allows you to create more relationships. It also gives them a first-hand experience of what you bring to the table if a permanent role opens. Furthermore, you get an idea of what skills companies value as you consider where to focus while earning extra cash during your search.

For more career advice, check out our Job Seeker Resource Center.