In today’s world, uncertainty seems to be the only thing that’s certain. With every economic shift, there's a wave of "recession talks" that makes us wonder: Is my career safe? Well, fear not! We’ve got you covered with 10 ways to build a career that can survive (and thrive) in tough times. And hey, we’ll throw in a little humor and some real-life examples to keep it interesting. Because who says career advice has to be boring?
1. Diversify Your Skills: Become a Swiss Army Knife
We all know the Swiss Army knife—small, sleek, and ready for anything. That’s what your career should be. If you’re an expert at just one thing, what happens when that industry hits a bump? So, pick up new skills!
Example: Let's say you're a graphic designer. Instead of just designing logos, learn web development or marketing. You’ll be a creative powerhouse, and who doesn’t need one of those in a recession?
Tool: LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Udemy are fantastic places to add to your skill set (they’re cheaper than that daily $5 latte you probably don’t need anyway). You can also grab a helpful book to get started, like "The Creative's Guide to Starting a Business" on Amazon to explore how you can diversify your design skills with business knowledge.
The Creative's Guide to Starting a Business – Amazon
2. Embrace the Gig Economy (Flexibility = Freedom!)
Recession-proof careers are often flexible careers. The gig economy allows you to juggle multiple projects, meaning if one source of income dries up, you have others to fall back on.
Example: Are you a teacher? You could also be an online tutor. A web designer? Try freelance writing or social media management. There’s a gig for almost every skill set!
Tool: Check out Fiverr, Upwork, or Toptal to kickstart your freelance hustle. And if you need to get organized, grab a planner to keep track of all your gigs, like the “Passion Planner” from Amazon. Trust us, you’ll feel more like a boss when you’re organized.
3. Network Like a Pro (Because, Let’s Face It, Who Knows You?)
It’s not always about what you know, but who you know. Recession-proof careers are built on solid relationships. It’s time to embrace networking like never before—digitally or in person.
Example: Attend a virtual networking event or connect with an old colleague on LinkedIn. You never know when that person could connect you with a new opportunity or project.
Tip: Don’t be a robot! Let your personality shine through and make genuine connections. You don’t want your networking efforts to sound like an elevator pitch from 1999. To help make those first connections easier, grab an easy-to-use business card holder for those in-person meetings.
4. Focus on Transferable Skills (Your Secret Weapon)
In a recession, jobs may shift, but skills don’t. Learn to identify and refine transferable skills—these are skills you can apply across multiple industries. Problem-solving, communication, project management—these are always in demand.
Example: If you're a customer service rep, guess what? You're also great at conflict resolution, communication, and troubleshooting—all vital skills for HR, management, or sales roles.
Tool: Use a skills inventory tool to evaluate your current skill set and look for areas to improve. You can also get a detailed guide like "Skills for Success" available on Amazon to help you map out transferable skills.
5. Embrace Remote Work (Because Pants Are Optional)
The pandemic proved it—remote work is here to stay. And you know what? It’s a lifesaver during uncertain times. It offers flexibility, work-life balance, and in some cases, reduced living costs (goodbye commuting!).
Example: Many companies now hire for fully remote roles in fields like tech, marketing, and customer support.
Tool: Websites like We Work Remotely and Remote.co can help you find your next remote opportunity. Plus, your commute is now just from the bed to your desk. Lucky you. If you need to upgrade your home office setup for maximum productivity, a standing desk from Amazon might just be the answer!
6. Become an Expert in Problem-Solving (The “MacGyver” of Your Industry)
In times of economic stress, businesses are looking for ways to cut costs and improve efficiency. If you can solve problems, you’ll be recession-proof. In fact, if you’re the person who can save the day, they’ll never want to let you go!
Example: If you work in sales, become a pro at finding creative ways to sell products without slashing prices—become the go-to solution provider.
Tool: Mind mapping tools like XMind or Miro can help you brainstorm and implement creative solutions. And for physical brainstorming, try a whiteboard wall calendar from Amazon to organize your thoughts!
Whiteboard Wall Calendar – Amazon
7. Develop Emotional Intelligence (EQ > IQ)
It’s no surprise—emotional intelligence (EQ) is highly valued in any career. The ability to understand, manage, and communicate emotions is key during a recession, when team morale and productivity might be low.
Example: If you work in HR, your EQ will help you navigate layoffs or reorganizations, all while maintaining strong relationships with the remaining employees.
Tip: Practice active listening and mindfulness—two simple ways to boost your emotional intelligence. People like to work with someone who can relate to their feelings! You can get started with the “Emotional Intelligence 2.0” book, available on Amazon.
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 – Amazon
8. Create a Personal Brand (You Are Your Best Advertisement)
During a recession, standing out is key. Having a personal brand helps you get noticed, even in a crowded market. Build an online presence that showcases your expertise, personality, and passion.
Example: If you’re a career coach, write blogs, post videos on LinkedIn, or start a YouTube channel to share your tips and tricks for job-seekers. Being visible and consistent will help you attract clients even when times get tough.
Tool: Canva (for designing social media posts), WordPress (for creating a blog), and LinkedIn (for professional branding) are great starting points. Don’t forget to grab a good quality camera if you want to step up your video content!
9. Stay Adaptable (Because Life’s a Rollercoaster)
The more adaptable you are, the more recession-proof your career will be. Industries change, and so do the skills you need to stay competitive. Embrace change and continue evolving.
Example: If you’re in a traditional job role and suddenly face automation, upskill into a tech-related area like data analysis or software engineering.
Tip: Read, take online courses, attend webinars. The world’s changing fast, so don’t get left behind! Grab a high-quality e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite to read books, reports, and guides on the go.
10. Think Like an Entrepreneur (Every Job Is a Business)
This one might require some mindset shifts, but hear us out: think of your career as your personal business. This means being proactive, setting your own goals, and constantly seeking ways to innovate and improve your career path.
Example: If you’re a teacher, you could create online courses or offer private tutoring. If you’re a coach, you could expand to offer group programs or digital products like e-books.
Tool: Notion or Trello to organize your goals and action plans will help you stay on track like a true entrepreneur. And to help you stay productive, grab a noise-cancelling headset from Amazon—because distractions are a career killer!
Noise-Cancelling Headset – Amazon
Wrapping Up: The Recession-Proof You!
By diversifying your skills, embracing the gig economy, networking like a social butterfly, and staying adaptable, you’ll not only survive a recession—you’ll thrive. And let’s face it, with the right mindset, you’ll be prepared for anything life throws at you, whether it's an economic downturn or that surprise Zoom call with your boss.
So, what are you waiting for? Start building your recession-proof career today—and keep a sense of humor about it. After all, life’s too short to not laugh when things get tough!
OSPP Career Coaching is here to help you every step of the way—whether you’re pivoting your career, learning new skills, or just need some expert advice to stay ahead. Let's chat about how we can make your career recession-proof!