A successful friend — my career advice maven — offers the following advice for recession job hunters: don’t worry about the salary. In good ‘ole 2006, when job hunting was like fishing with dynamite, salary (and therefore opportunity cost) was more important. Today, a job hunt requires less explosives and far more tactical skills.

Few candidates have leverage these days when it comes to comp. negotiations. This doesn’t mean you should accept a pittance; it just means that there are more important things to focus on. For times like these, he recommends that people look two to three years down the road and make career moves that put them in good shape for an economic upturn.

A good job during a recession showcases one of the following characteristics:

1. The ability to develop skills and connections that help you get your dream job when the economy recovers
2. The opportunity to benefit financially (and directly) from a surging economy

These suggestions are straightforward, but the implications are far-reaching. Thinking about these two maxims, the following four strategies emerge as attractive options:

1. Work for the government
2. Start your own company
3. Get involved with a non-governmental organization (NGO)
4. Start freelancing

Each week we will publish an article on one of these four strategies. To keep it relevent, each article will be guest-authored by someone who has been successful with one of these strategies. Stay tuned!

Mike Trapanese - March 17, 2009 - 7:37 am
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