Best Business During Recession

Even during boom times no job is fail-safe. But some industries are safer havens than others, experts say, such as healthcare, the federal government, clean technology, information technology, and sales and marketing.

"I think the recession-proof jobs are where people need the goods and services regardless, like healthcare and pharmaceuticals. People are getting older, people are getting frailer, and demographics of the population are aging. Biosciences, physical therapy, occupational therapy-those are jobs that are as recession-proof as they come. They also require specialized skills," says Jon Bender, managing partner with PrincetonOne, a New Jersey-based recruiting firm.

Sales and marketing positions and others supporting them are fairly sturdy, according to Kevin Donlin, author and creator of The Simple Job Search system. Anyone who makes or saves money for a company will be relatively safe, he says. Federal government jobs also may be worth considering.

8 industries that are a pretty safe bet even during a recession.... What do these industries all have in common? Unlike real estate, which is heavily driven by individuals’ liquidity, these are all areas that are NOT optional when it comes to having employeesand spending money. I’ve mixed and matched and added my own comments.

1. Computers / IT / Web Development - If you have the skills to help companies increase efficiency and reduce costs using technology solutions, you’re a hot commodity
2. Criminal Justice / Police / Security - Crime rates certainly aren’t going to go down as the economy comes to a screeching halt. I’d guess that this field is in even MORE demand when jobs are scarce and tensions are running high.
3. Education - There is ALWAYS a need for teachers. Always. Even in great economic times, there are never enough teachers.
4. Energy - Despite high travel costs, we still need oil and gas — not just to get to work, but also to run our homes. Electricity, alternative energy, etc., and especially areas of lower-cost energy, will never go away.
5. Environment - Green building, green manufacturing, green everything is HUGE as we start to realize the impact of our actions on the world around us.
6. Health Care & Medicine - "Luxuries" like cosmetic surgery may not be real growth areas right now, but especially with the physical effects of economic stress, the medical field is in no danger of slowing down. And it’s not only physicians who have job security, but also nurses assistants, and technicians.
7. International Business - Things may be tough in the US, but that doesn’t mean they’re bad everywhere.
8. Psychology / Counseling / Substance Abuse Treatment - As with medicine, psychological and mental health fields are going to remain in high demand, especially as people deal with the stressors of the economy.
9. State and Federal Government - Even with a recession, the government has to keep operating.