September 2009

SIVAN KEREN, Staff Writer

More than 1.5 million Canadians are out of work.

Nearly one out of 10 Ontarians is currently unemployed.

Almost 10 per cent of Torontonians were jobless in June.

So while we've been hearing lots about "the end of the recession," to those without gainful employment, news about the economy can be extremely discouraging. It's easy for Stephen Harper to claim that the worst of the recession is over -- he has a job! So why pay attention to these depressing numbers anyway?

There may be at least one good reason to uncover your eyes and ears: depending on how you choose to look at it, these stats could actually make you feel better.

Pamela MacFadden, a newly hired graphic designer, says that while she was out of work, news about the recession provided her with solace. "I actually found it sort of comforting to know that there were other seekers out there facing the same situation. ... It worked as a bit of a confidence boost because I knew that in 'normal' circumstances it wouldn't be as hard to find something for which I know I'm qualified."

MacFadden found herself searching for work during what some have referred to as "Depression 2.0." After three months and many fruitless job applications, she landed an interview for a position for which over a hundred others had applied. How'd she do it? The same way Cheryl Hawley did -- there was no magic formula -- just patience. "I don't think worrying about the recession is going to do you any good," says Hawley, an editor who found herself laid off this year from a Toronto-based communications company. "Unless you're looking to become an investment banker or a stock broker, it's probably best not to worry about it," she adds. Hawley found a new editing job three months after she had been made redundant.

After learning about their successful experiences finding work during the recession, I asked each of these newly hired women to suggest a few tips for those still looking. The following is a compilation of their answers:

• Targeted research: Find out if you know anyone who works at a company where you’d like to work and try to set up a meeting with that person. (See informational interviews.)
• Freelance: If your chosen field is conducive to short work-from-home type contracts, this can be a great way to stay engaged and to keep yourself on a company's radar.
• Network: Hawley says she wouldn't have heard about the opening at her company without networking. She sent her resumé out to her network of professional contacts instead of churning out tons of applications to online postings.
• Relax: As MacFadden says, "Work hard. Search hard. But try not to worry. Know that it will all work out when it's meant to ... and try to enjoy the time you have."

This may also be a good opportunity for you to take some time to think about the future of your field. While more jobs will almost certainly be available as the recession passes, they may not be positions to which you tend to gravitate. If you're open to going in another direction, take a close look at job trends. Careerpath.com recently listed seven emerging jobs, including home stager and patient advocate; the site also suggests looking for work in the expanding green sector. (Check out Canada's most visited green job site.)

Finally, regardless of market trends, certain sectors are considered "recession-proof." These are industries that are viewed as indispensable: jobs often so fundamental to the functioning of society that they are essentially "safe," even during recessions. These include careers in health care, food services and law enforcement. For more of these "recession-proof" jobs, check out Careerpath's top 10 list; still, it's important to remember that even recession-proof jobs are not always a sure thing. Hiring freezes and lay offs across the board suggest that whether you switch careers or commit to finding work in a more familiar field, patience, as Hawley says, really is key.