There is no such thing as a recession proof job.

With the incredible amount of unemployed people vying for a position and thousands more losing their jobs on a weekly basis, it makes no sense to view your job as a lock. Your employer doesn’t. Since December 2006 (quick, think back to what other significant event occurred in late 2006), unemployment rates have risen from 4.4% to 10% at the end of 2009 (Bureau of Labor Statistics ^[2]).

^[3]

Books about “recession proofing” your job are flying off the shelves while the REAL unemployment rate is hovering north of 16 percent. Those numbers include people who have just given up or who aren’t working full time when they wish to. Unemployment among teens, those without high school diplomas, and minorities are even higher.

Understanding what your employer wants is critical and though each employment situation is unique, there is a definite benefit to knowing how to hang on to your job. What is your employer looking for? Here’s a general list of what employers look for in candidates that are applying for positions at your company and what they want to see in you.

What employers want:

• A record of achievements that match well with your employer’s greatest wants and needs. Nothing trumps having successfully “been there, done that,” so long as it’s relevant to what your employer wants.
• Intelligence, business savvy, and a willingness to learn ^[4].
• Honesty, integrity, and decency.
• A team player who meshes well with the company’s team and can integrate with the company’s culture.
• Likability, a positive attitude, and maybe a sense of humor. Be careful here, the wrong humor can get you in trouble.
• Excellent communication skills whether speaking, writing, talking on the phone, or using email.
• Dedication, flexibility, and a willingness to go the extra mile to achieve excellence.
• A goal setter with a clear sense of purpose.
• A high level of motivation ^[5] and the enthusiasm to back it up.
• Confidence and leadership with an air of equanimity.

There are no guarantees. And while there may not be any such thing as a recession proof job, by knowing what your employer wants, you might be able to save your job … or more easily find another one.

Note: This article was included in the Carnival of Personal Finance #249 ^[16] at Amateur Asset Allocator ^[17]!

Photo by viZZZual.com ^[18]

About the author

Ron has written 1082 articles on The Wisdom Journal.

The founder and editor of The Wisdom Journal ^[19] in 2007, Ron has worked in banking, distribution, retail, and upper management for companies ranging in size from small startups to multi-billion dollar corporations. He graduated Suma Cum Laude from a top MBA program and currently is a partner in a national building materials company.

If you enjoyed what you just read and would like to get FREE email updates with the freshest articles from The Wisdom Journal ^[19] delivered right to your inbox, subscribe today ^[20]! It's ridiculously easy and you can unsubscribe at any time. Since your email address is never sold or abused, you can subscribe with confidence, PLUS you'll get free reports/guides/eBooks, subscriber only benefits, and other perks.

• Blog ^[19]
• Twitter ^[21]
• Facebook ^[22]

_{»crosslinked« ^[23]}