Part 1: The Recession Procession 1
1 Recession Proofing 101
3
What Is a Recession-Proof Career?
4
Is Your Career Recession Proof?
5
Labor Market Trends
8
#1: Health-Care Information Technology
8
#2: Aging Baby Boomers
9
#3: Educating Our Nation
9
#4: Crime During Recessions
10
#5: Green Jobs on the Rise ,
10
Criteria for Recession-Proof Careers
10
Outsourced Careers
12
#1: Customer Service Representatives
12
#2: Technical Support Staff
13
#3: Computer Programmers
13
#4: Small Goods Manufacturers
13
#5: Data Entry
14
2 Take This Job and Transfer It
15
The Best Transferable Skills
16
Stable Careers with Overlapping Skill Sets
18
Communication Skills
18
Attention to Detail
19
Thinking Abilities
19
Sales and Persuasion
19
Service Skills
20
Self-Motivation
20
The Steps Required for a Career Change
20
Step 1: Industry Assessment
20
Step 2: Desired Work Within Industry
22
Step 3: The Right Job or Role
24
Step 4: Personal Profile Needed
25
Step 5: Making It So!
27
3 What It Takes to Hake Yourself Recession Proof
29
Is Your Resume Recession Proof?
30
Tell Me About Your Experience
33
Study! Study! Study!
34
Be Aware of Software
35
What a Performance
35
Networking
38
4 Turning Recession-Proof Obstacles into Stepping-Stones
39
Why People Don't Take Charge of Their Careers
40
Obstacle #1: Change Is Bad
40
Obstacle #2: Decisions Are Bad
40
Obstacle #3: Recessions Impact All Jobs
41
Obstacle #4: You're Not Qualified
41
Obstacle #5: Your Bosses Have It in for You
42
Obstacle #6: No Competitive Edge
42
Obstacle #7: Too Technical
42
Obstacle #8: You Have a Resume Gap
42
Obstacle #9: Trends Are Bad
43
Solutions to Overcoming the Biggest Obstacles
43
Solution #1: Change on Your Own
43
Solution #2: Decide to Take Action
44
Solution #3: Position Yourself Well
44
Solution #4: Value Your Skills
44
Solution #5: Listen to Those Bosses
45
Solution #6: Control What You Can
45
Solution #7: Up-Skill Yourself
45
Solution #8: Play Up Your Resume Gap
46
Solution #9: Believe in Something
46
Drowning Out the Negativity
47
Do Your Homework
49
Embrace the Negativity
49
Be Clear and Consistent
49
Anticipate the Pullback
50
Part 2: Here's to Your Health 53
5 Medical Professionals Heed a Hand
55
Physician Assistants
56
You Must Be Certifiable
57
How About Some Special Assistance?
58
Surgical Technologists
58
Dental Hygienists
60
Medical and Health Services Managers
62
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
63
Go the Specialty or Management Route
65
Expand Your Information Technology Skills
66
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
66
6 The People and Medications That Keep Us healthy
69
What Do You Care For?
70
Registered Nurses
71
License to Care
72
What's the Special of the Day?
73
Personal and Home-Care Aides
73
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
75
Pharmacists
77
Medical Scientists
78
7 Therapy for the Mind, Body, and Soul
81
Counselors
82
Physical Therapists
84
Occupational Therapists
86
How to Master the Skills
87
Find Your Niche
87
Personal Appearance Workers
88
Part 3: Learn to Teach 91
8 The People Who Shape Our Children
93
Child-Care Workers
94
A Child-Care Worker's Day
95
Training and Advancement
96
Preschool Teachers
97
Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle School Teachers
99
Having What It Takes
101
Learning to Teach
101
Teacher Assistants
103
Learning to Help the Teacher
104
9 Specialty Teachers and Counselors
101
Postsecondary and Vocational Teachers
108
College and University Faculty
109
Career and Technical Education Teachers
110
Self-Enrichment Teachers
111
Special Education Teachers
113
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
115
10 Math, Science, Adult Literacy, and Online Teachers
119
Math and Science Teachers
120
Math Teachers
121
Science Teachers
122
Adult Literacy and Remedial Education Teachers
123
Online and Distance Learning
125
Additional Paths to Teaching
128
Teach for America
128
Troops to Teachers
129
Charter Schools
130
Part 4: Climate Control 131
11 The Science of Going Green
133
Geoscientists
134
Environmental Scientists and Hydrologists
137
Atmospheric Scientists
139
Cutting-Edge Scientists
142
Biofuel
142
Biotechnology
142
Nanotechnology
143
12 Engineering a Green Future
145
Environmental Engineers
146
Civil Engineers
149
Agricultural Engineers
152
Nuclear Engineers
155
13 Hazardous Materials, Sewage, and Green Utilities
159
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
160
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
163
Green Utilities
165
Renewable Wind Energy
167
Renewable Solar Energy
168
Part 5: Honor and Defend Your Country 171
14 Careers In and Around the Law
173
Private Detectives and Investigators
174
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
177
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
179
Correctional Officers
181
Security Guards
183
15 Govern Your Career in the Government
181
Working for the Nation's Largest Employer
188
Careers in Homeland Security
191
Opportunities in the Armed Forces
193
Enlisted Occupations
194
Officer Occupations
196
Training and Advancement in the Military
197
16 Give Back to Your Community
199
Community Service Managers
200
Social and Human Services Assistants
202
Reasons fir Growth
203
Training
204
Urban and Regional Planners
205
Part 6: Scratch Your Career Itch with a Niche 209
17 Food, Collections, and Funerals
211
Chefs, Cooks, and Food Preparation Workers
212
Executive Ch* and Head Cooks
213
Mid-Level Cooks
214
Food Preparation Workers
215
Bill and Account Collectors
216
Funeral Directors
219
Working Conditions
220
Training to Be a Funeral Director
221
Advancement Opportunities
222
18 Nome, Auto, and Facility Management Services
223
Building Cleaning Workers
224
Interior Designers
226
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
229
Grounds Maintenance Workers
231
19 People Pay Big Prices for Their Vices
235
Gaming Services Occupations
236
Gaining Surveillance Officers
239
Adult Entertainment
241
Part 7: Corporate Support, at Nome and Abroad 245
20 Human Resources and Back Office Support
247
Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations
248
Human Resource Generalists
249
Labor Relations Specialists
250
Actuaries
251
Society of Actuaries Certification
253
Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) Certification
253
Accountants and Auditors
254
Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
257
21 Specialized Computer Careers Not Headed Offshore
261
Computer and Information Systems Managers
262
Raining, Certification, and Qualifications
264
Getting Ahead
264
Computer Systems Analysts
265
Computer Software Engineers
268
Computer Scientists and Database Administrators
270
22 Sales Reps, Personal Financial Advisors, and PR Specialists
273
Advertising Sales Agents
274
Insurance Sales Agents
277
Personal Financial Advisors
279
Training
281
Success and Advancement
281
Public Relations Specialists
282
23 Get a Global Hind-Set
287
Interpreters and Translators
288
Interpreters
289
Translators
290
Education and Advancement Opportunities
291
Management Analysts
293
Day-to-Day Duties
294
Education and Training
295
Market and Survey Researchers
297
Appendixes
A The Best Careers by Growth Prospects and Salary
301
B Recommended Reading
303
C Top Search Firms by Industry
305
D Sites, Fairs, and Organizations
309
Index 317