Recession-Proof Jobs in 2008
by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs
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A steady stream of discouraging economic news is bringing with it talk of the dreaded "R" word. Economists at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley say the U.S. is heading for its first-blown recession in 16 years, and a recent CNN poll found that 57 percent of the public believe the U.S. is in a recession already, with the economy topping the list of voter's worries.
A recession could hit some job-seekers hard. "A lot of people won't have the luxury of going for their first choice in a down economy," said Sophia Koropeckyj, an economist at Moody's Economy.com.
However, many employment sectors are expected to remain strong despite a possible recession, and job-seekers may have more success if they focus on recession-proof professions.
The Bright Spots
John Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, told Yahoo! HotJobs that careers in the following fields may offer a good chance of weathering a storm this year.
* Education. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has historically shown teaching to be relatively recession-proof. But demographics are important: High-growth areas like the Sun Belt offer much better prospects than the Rust Belt.
* Energy. "This is a major issue for the global economy, and jobs related to oil and gas, alternative energy and even nuclear are likely to see strong growth," Challenger said.
* Health care. Almost half the 30 fastest growing occupations are concentrated in health services -- including medical assistants, physical therapists, physician assistants, home health aides, and medical records and health information technicians -- according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
* International business. "If you have a strong knowledge of other cultures, and an ability to work in another country, you'll find plenty of opportunities," according to John Challenger. "If you're first generation Chinese, with business skills and Chinese language skills, you're in good shape.
* Environmental sector. There is a huge and growing industry geared to combat global warming. "Not only will professionals with skills in sustainability issues be in demand through the end of the decade, we are likely to shortages of professionals with 'green' skills," said Rona Fried, president of sustainablebusiness.com, a networking service for sustainable businesses.
* Security. "Crime doesn't stop during a recession, and police officers, port security specialists and international security experts will continue to be in demand," Challenger emphasized.
Other Sectors Feel the Slump
Koropeckyj and other economists agree that many troubled industries will feel the pain from the deflating housing bubble.
"The housing slump will touch anything related to housing, from real estate to investment banks, to engineering and architecture," Koropeckyj said. Though public sector jobs grew at a fast clip in the last five years, state and local government jobs are likely to slow as home values, and, consequently, tax revenues, sink.
The housing slump could even extend to industries dependent on discretionary spending, like restaurants and retail, she indicated. Manufacturing, too, long in dire need of an upswing, is likely to keep waiting for one through 2008, Koropeckyj said.
I will add....
Auto Mechanics - who can afford a new car?
Home Remodeling - people will keep up their houses better since they can't sell/buy
Bars/Pubs - more people drinking due to depression
Discount stores - cheaper = affordable
Shoe repair - heard on the news people can't find enough shoe repair stores
Recycle Centers - money for bottles/cans/paper
Please add your ideas for others to look for opportunities
Binmen
video/dvd stores
In a recession the only way to secure your job is give yourself a job and be your own boss
Quote from: stiffler on January 16, 2009, 06:54:41 PM
Binmen
video/dvd stores
Hasn't chartbusters gone into administration in the south? Think the old t'internet has seen off the rental market.
Any type of repair stores should thrive particularly electronics.
Bicycle stores are apparently going through something of a boom as people try to avoid buying cars/fuel.
Quote from: The Iceman on January 16, 2009, 07:39:46 PM
In a recession the only way to secure your job is give yourself a job and be your own boss
So I thought ::) , easier said than done.
It actually depends on the category or market.
Bailliffs and Repo men will be very busy in 2009. Not a nice job to be in, but the money is good.
I was talking to guys who install SKY tv and they say they've never been busier.
Quote from: orangeman on January 16, 2009, 10:53:50 PM
I was talking to guys who install SKY tv and they say they've never been busier.
Gary getting a good turn orangeman?
my job's recession proof...Working in a benefit centre.. I have never been as busy!
Civil service work seems to be fairly recession proof
A Priest. When people have time to reflect, especially when they are on their arse at home, they tend to get repentive, therefore the local padre will be of huge benifit. By the way does anyone know what sort of tin, or where does it come from, that a prist would "earn " per annum.
Counsellors, shrinks etc will do very well with people going mad with money worries etc
Off licenses will do well, less going to the pub.
The oul fella's business is fairly recession proof - he's a monumental sculptor - people are still dying so still need headstones
Friend of mine told me he cleans up foreclosed houses for banks and Realtors. 300-1200 per house depending on size, condition and distance from his home office. He is averaging between 6-10 a week.
Forgot to mention he hires 4-6 temp workers (agency) to do the worker so he doesn't have to deal with taxes and such. He pays the agency 14 per hour and the agency pays their employees 8-11 an hour. He supplies a dumpster (if needed), all chemicals (cleaning) and tools/equipment. While the team is cleaning he bids out other houses. He also gives the temps a cash bonus (under the table) if the house is cleaned within a certain time frame and cleaned to his standards.
Quote from: Wee Roddy on January 17, 2009, 01:58:22 PM
A Priest. When people have time to reflect, especially when they are on their arse at home, they tend to get repentive, therefore the local padre will be of huge benifit. By the way does anyone know what sort of tin, or where does it come from, that a prist would "earn " per annum.
Are the PSNI still looking for any old taig to make up the numbers or has that dried up as well?
Quote from: Wee Roddy on January 17, 2009, 01:58:22 PM
A Priest. When people have time to reflect, especially when they are on their arse at home, they tend to get repentive, therefore the local padre will be of huge benifit. By the way does anyone know what sort of tin, or where does it come from, that a prist would "earn " per annum.
Not sure what Priests earn now but a mate of mine was getting 9000 sterling a year in 2001 - Nun's were being paid less than 6000 sterling at that time too.
they get accommodation and food on top of that but in fairness it's not a lot of money for the job they do.
I think cleaning out the foreclosed houses sounds like a good number.
Feb 06, 2009 01:38 AM
Used nursing to start my business
by Kyrshamarks Premium Member
As a nurse I never thought I would be in the postion I am in now. I used my nursing skills and certifications to start a small DBA. I just closed the books for Jan, 09 and my wife and I netted after everything $158,000. Not too shabby for being in business only 4 months now. We will be on track for the company to make 3 Million this year.
Now you are asking what kind of legal business could he be in that makes that kind of money? Well let me tell you. I am in the business of death. I clean death and crime scenes. It seems kind of strange and sureal for me right now being in this business. It seems I have spent my whole life working with death. In my 20's and early 30's I was a Special Forces Soldier. In that time frame i was the casue of death. Then when I got out of the service and became a nurse I spent my time helping people fight off death (which I still do). Now as I look to the end of my carrer I now clean up after death. I guess I have come full circle in a way.
Well enough about me. Let me tell you about this business. I started a company that is hired after someone either commits suicide or is murdered and we litterally come in and clean up the mess. After the coroner is gone, it is up to the family to clean the mess that is left behind. That mess is a biohazardous mess and the coroner usually tells them this. I also work with hotels and motels and even have done a few small strip mall shops and stores. The cleaning takes specialized training and equipment. All things that have been touched by the body is considered contaminated and all fluids are biohazardous and must either be cleaned and decontaminated or redbagged and burned. I provide thoat service. I have a company here that arranges for the burning of redbag material and I also have home remodelers that can redo dry wall and carpet and ceilings. I offer all those services. One thing though it does not come cheap. My services range from 250-1000 dollars an hour. Not your average cleaning bill. Luckily most homeowner policies will pay for the clean up of suicides and if it ws a crime there is the federal crime victims assitance fund that will pay for it. If there is no insurance I am willing to work out a price reduction and payment options.
I know this all sounds intreresting but let me tell you, this business can be hard on you. It takes a strong stomach and constitution. The coroner picks up the body but not all the body parts. I have litterally picked up pieces of scalp and bone and even a few fingers. All gets destroyed. The smell can be overpowering. A decomposing body can sure leave some bad smells and big stains. I have had to remove subflooring before and replace it. Wood is very expensive to redbag and burn but it must be done properly. Sometimes you are even picking teeth out of walls and ceilings. And imagine doing this with a grieving family standing over you and asking why did this happen. Now also imagine doing this in a biohazard suit with a repsirator on with possibly no ac or heat on in the place. That is where more of my nurses training comes into play. I have to be empathetic but not to the point of allowing their grief and the scene to affect me or my crew. I will give the family a list of resources that helps with grieving that I have aquired over the years as a nurse, I also have social worker info and even legal info that I can give them. I try to offer a compassionate service in their time of need. When I leave I know that I have done the family a service and can feel good about it.
Another big part of the business is hotels and motels. you would be surprised at the amount of people that check into a hotel to commit suicide. Those places want nothing but utter discretion and speed of service. I provide that to them. After all their housekeeping staff cannot handle the cleanup and they do not want their reputatrions damaged. I have been to a few high end 4 star hotels to clean rooms.
And to think I started this business with less than $10,000 dollars savedd over 8 months. I bought a used 1998 Ryder moving truck and had it painted white for a total cost of 3400. I bought saws and wet dry vacs. I use shovels and plastic putty knives quite a bit. A fish tank to soak items in in cleaner. Tyvek biohazard suits and gloves and resiprators..both full face and half mask. I even took a course in this type of cleaning to get ABRA (American Bio Recovery Association) certification. I have a several hand held steamers, used to steam dried brain material wihich is like cement when dry. A generator and lights for working nights or where there is no power. I use plenty of house hold cleaners a few industrial cleaners and bug bombs for killing flies and maggots. I also have a large ozone generator to help kill odors and clean the air. I am a complete cleaning facility on wheels. I have a photo printer to print out photos of the scene both before and after for the insurance companies as well ss for the family if they want them.
I am now keeping two crews busy almost full time. These guys are highschool graduates for the most part and now they are earning a great wage of 50 bucks an hour and if they can make it to one year I will raise it to 75 an hour. I believe in paying well for a good job. Plus this business is hard on people. You get to see some of the worst things in life and have to clean them up. I have marketed this business like crazy to get it started though. I litterally hit almost every hotel, motel, strip mall and funeral home, hospital, church and police and fire department within a 300 mile radius of me. I am constantly calling them and just inquiring how things are going for them and to remind them that if they ever need my services to just remember I offer satisfaction guarrantee and total discretion. It is paying off.
So just remember in these tough economic times there are still ways to make money for a very little start up. All you have to do is find a niche market and fill that need.
Kyrhamarks
Quote from: Wee Roddy on January 17, 2009, 01:58:22 PM
A Priest. When people have time to reflect, especially when they are on their arse at home, they tend to get repentive, therefore the local padre will be of huge benifit. By the way does anyone know what sort of tin, or where does it come from, that a prist would "earn " per annum.
This was mentioned to me at the weekend. With no work out there people may start looking at this profession that wouldnt have normally. Ive no work at the minute but dont think il be heading down that road.
There will be plenty of work for good, reputable, builders/tradesmen who don't rip people off fixing some of the kips built by others. I was looking for a plumber there last week and the usual guy I get is still snowed under with work. Why? Because he is excellent at his job and didn't and doesn't take the mick price wise.
read a great book last week that has some relevance to the topic:
The Richest Man in Babylon
Look it up if you have some time - some great money saving ideas and principles in there that re centuries old and will definitely give you something to think about and maybe put into practice
A guy I use to work with in construction sales called me about the new job he took 8 weeks ago. He says he loves his job and is providing a great service in the meantime. He is selling plots in a cemetery along with headstones and memorials. Sales commissions are averaging over 1,000 a week and business is really starting to pickup.
There is work for everyone just have to find that niche in these times.