How to Get a Good Job in a Recession

Stressed about the tanking economy? Don't be. Just because it is now more of a challenge to amass wealth and become independently prosperous, it does not mean it is impossible to do so. In fact, a recession makes certain jobs and career paths even more profitable.

What are some "safe bet" industries to get into? Try looking into part-time work in the healthcare industry; health technicians, doctor's office assistants, and medical assistants will all continue to get steady work-people are sick, even in a poor economy. And as the national focus continues to grow in regards to healthcare, so will the financial resources allotted for this vital industry.

Transportation is another solid industry with good wages. Even though new car sales are down dramatically, you can still make a nice living as an independently owned and operated airport shuttle service, local cab company, or moving company. As I explain in my article about becoming a millionaire in two years, the key to starting a business of that nature is to hire a certain number of employees-let others make money for you.

Online dating is another industry that will do well despite economic hardship. Sign up for an online dating web site's "affiliate program" and begin marketing the subscription in a savvy way-encourage your single friends to sign up, post signs in your town or city, and watch as a fairly substantial commission check heads your way each and every month.

Many office jobs will be lost, no doubt about that, but if you are set upon getting a typical by-the-hour "office job" then work all of the connections you have. Send out a friendly mass e-mail (put addresses in the BCC field so that everyone's email addresses are "hidden") to everyone in your industry asking if anyone knows about upcoming job openings. Send out resumes on a regular schedule-three per day, five per day, whatever works for you. Persistence will pay off in an increasingly competitive economy. Follow-up calls and e-mails, once an option for prospective career seekers, are now a necessity. Make sure the interviewer won't forget you and move on to someone else.

Seasonal jobs that pay cash are also worth considering. Perhaps pick up some retail work around the holidays; shovel driveways in your neighborhood after a brutal snowstorm (at $50 per driveway, you can easily make $500 cash in a single day-more if you recruit a friend's help).

Finally, teaching is another good industry to consider branching out into: regardless of the economic climate over the next two to three years, teachers will be needed to educate millions of new students. Also, teaching provides the nice side benefit of doing something good and meaningful for your community-a way of giving back that also pays well.

You may also want to think entrepreneurially about how to benefit from a rapidly aging population. They will need certain services and assistance doing certain things: consider opening a grocery delivery service, door-to-door car wash service, or reading service targeted to elderly consumers in your neighborhood or town.