A recent article on Yahoo! Hot Jobs listed job sectors that aren’t so hot. In fact, these ten industries are experiencing significant declines and many of these jobs are expected to disappear over the next eight years.
1. Department stores: Projected to drop 10.2 percent of the 1.56 million jobs they had in 2008.
2. Semiconductor manufacturing: Estimated to lose 33.7 percent of the 432,000 jobs it had in 2008.
3. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing: Projected to reduce its force by 18.6 percent of its 544,000 jobs.
4. Postal service: Expected to drop 13 percent of the 748,000 jobs it had in 2008.
5. Printing and related jobs: Projected to reduce 16 percent of its 594,000 jobs.
6. Cut-and-sew apparel manufacturing: Anticipated to lose 57 percent of its 155,000 jobs.
7. Newspaper publishers: Projected a 24.8 percent reduction of its 326,000 jobs.
8. Mining support jobs: Expected to lose 23.2 percent of its 328,000 jobs.
9. Gas stations: Estimated to reduce employment by 8.9 percent of its 843,000 jobs.
10. Wired telecom: Projected to drop 11 percent of its 666,000 jobs.
So what do you do if your industry is on this top-ten list?
1. Don’t Panic: Just because you’re in an industry that’s experiencing a decline in demand or scaling back doesn’t mean you need to panic right now. Try to focus on the present– you have a job when many workers do not! Just because your industry is cutting back its workforce doesn’t necessarily mean you will lose your job.
2. Prepare: There are plenty of employees who are laid off unexpectedly. But using this knowledge of industry trends, you can prepare for the future. Think about beefing up your resume with volunteer work, additional education or another part-time job. You may want to discuss options with a career counselor and find ways to make yourself more marketable just in case you do lose your job.
3. Set Yourself Apart: Because your industry may be looking to lay off employees, start thinking of ways to set yourself apart from others that work in your company. Are there additional responsibilities you can take on? Do you have ideas to share? Make yourself even more valuable to the company.
4. Get Ready for Change: Someone once said the only constant in life is change. Once you realize that you can embrace it more easily. And just remember to put your faith in Jesus Christ because he is a steady rock you can always depend on.