Could a Recession Boost Your Career?

Neck-snapping, vertiginous, nausea-inducing -- all appropriate descriptions of the stock market ride this week. We are dangerous close to the 20-percent drop in the market, signaling a bear market. You can't open a newspaper without seeing the "R word" thrown casually around. Yes, Virginia, we are headed for a recession.

What does that mean for onrampers? Like any challenging time, you can either look at it with foreboding or as an opportunity. I prefer to look at the coming (current?) recession as a boon for those who want to find flexible, part-time, and possibly temporary professional work.

The Wall Street Journal reported recently that publicly-traded companies are not buying back their outstanding shares, as they often do when stock prices dip. CEOs seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach, reluctant to commit large amounts of capital during these uncertain times. If companies are unwilling to commit their resources, it makes sense that hiring will slow as well. This presents an opportunity for onrampers who can come in on a project basis, filling in for employees on leave or taking up the slack when companies don't have the budget for a new hire.

As companies become more and more comfortable with the idea of a "transitional" workforce, the door opens for onrampers. Finding the perfect onramper job is a matter of having the right skills, a robust network, and good timing. Community college courses are a perfect way to brush up on or acquire new skills. Building and maintaining a strong network is essential to any successful job search. As for timing, the dreaded "R word" just might bring the right opportunity for onrampers.

How has the current economic outlook affected your employment outlook?