Can You Survive a Recession?

The gauge watchers of the economy have been saying it for months and last week's news that the unemployment rate rose to 5% has turned up the volume on the prospect of a U.S. recession in 2008. I have yet to be convinced, though. I may change my mind come the spring to see how the housing industry performs.

Still, the possibility is haunting, especially if you work in an industry that is most vulnerable to an economic downturn, or if your job could be outsourced either domestically or overseas should your employer want to save a few bucks trimming payroll. This is especially true in IT, and I wouldn't be surprised if that has contributed to an increased air of pessimism among IT workers - generally a skeptical lot - in the oft-watched Hudson Employment Index. Granted, the majority of those surveyed are neither worried about job security, nor expecting job cuts at their companies this year. But there is a little more concern.

But why be caught by surprise? The recession talk should lead IT workers to look at the following:

* Their skills. How sustainable is your current skill set? What technologies do you see your company or industry adopting over the next few years?

* Their business savvy. Do you have a knack for figuring out what technologies can help make business processes more efficient? Or what technologies can help boost revenue generation?

* Their resumes. Losing your job is hard enough. Losing a job and not having an idea what to put on your resume is harder. That's why it's always helpful to have an updated resume that focuses on what you have accomplished in the workplace rather than just on your raw skills. Showing your experience might get you an interview, but showing how your experience helped your current and former employers may be the key to landing a new job if you really need one.