How to keep your job during recession

The same period two years ago Singapore was on the cliff edge of a technical recession. By Sep 2009, it became a reality. Companies were cutting staffs and budgets. One cannot pass by a day without hearing of some retrenchment or downsizing.

The build up to that deja vu appears to have resurfaced. Even the labour minister is out reassuring the citizens. That to me is just reaffirmation of what is going to hit us.

For those that were unfortunately affected then, are you better prepared this time? What did you learn from your last retrenchment?

My gut feel is we still have at least 6 months before things get rough. Use this limited time to get yourself ready

·Make yourself indispensable. Downturn is the best opportunity for management to clean the house. Just because your manager never tell you off for consistently coming in late, going for long lunches, face booking the entire day at work doesn't mean he don't know. He probably done it when he was your age.

·Avoid recession sensitive industries. If you knew Lehman Brothers are going to close down 6 months before it happened, would you still apply for job with them? Banks have always been one of the most economy sensitive industry and with such shaky landscape, you may want to look at more sturdy sectors if you are currently job searching.

·Look at recession friendly careers. Life still goes on despite a recession and there will still be jobs that thrives, maybe even more so during a downturn. Some of such trades would be:

·Education - There will always be jobs for teachers. Kids will still go to school and many unemployed adults would choose to learn new skills.

·Military or any uniformed group - 6 to 10 years of guaranteed employment unless you do something crazy.

·Gambling - a very attractive way to make money without a job.

·Debt Management companies - there will always be a spike in such cases during a bad time. And many of these people would need guidance.

Importantly, never stop networking and that includes not burning bridges. One more friend equal to one less enemy. You never know when you may need to call in a favour.

Adrian Tan, Managing Director, RecruitPlus Consulting Pte Ltd