No One Is Hiring? Here Are 5 Careers That African Americans Should Pursue During A Recession

There are several career-related myths that surface during a recession. The biggest of these is the often-quoted ‘there just aren’t any jobs out there right now.’ While layoffs are happening throughout the marketplace, the truth is that there are still a number of companies and industries that are hiring.

Sales Representative/Business Development
One positive in slowing retail/wholesale markets is that when sales are down, more salespeople are required. Experienced sales representatives will most likely stay in high demand, regardless of how the market is behaving. Look for ways to develop your sales skills if you don’t have experience. Many of the positions are entry level, but it’s relatively easy to move up the ladder. Be prepared to hit the ground running, because companies are looking for results.

Account/Customer Support
Similar to sales, in a sluggish economy companies are forced to commit to recruiting new customers while doing everything they can to keep their existing customers. If you’re a people person with a mind for damage control, this could be the perfect career for you. Many of these jobs feature working in call centers, so brush up on your telecommunications skills and familiarize yourself with ‘phone etiquette.’

Accounting Staff
This job usually requires that you have at least a modicum of experience. Companies are looking to keep a close eye on the bottom line. If you have any accounting background, this is an industry you’ll want to explore. If you don’t have the history, you can probably still find work as an assistant in this field.

Counseling/Social Work
Counseling is always going to be necessary. In times of hardship, the need tends to rise. People are experiencing anxiety, depression and a bevy of other emotional and psychological distresses as they experience job loss, divorce, and general economic difficulty. Social work, like counseling, tends to be in greater demand during hard times, so look for positions in family agencies and organizations serving individuals.

Software Design/Development
New software is constantly being developed to help streamline and cut back on certain time consuming processes and operations. As systems become more complex, companies need individuals that can develop and navigate these systems. You can find work as a full time, part time or contract employee. There are a myriad of options, but you have to be qualified and have some experience to achieve real success. –todd williams