I wanted to offer some advice on overcoming these difficult economic times.

In periods of shrinking economy, when the competition for a workplace is much harder than in regular times, this is the time to stop and think what can be done with the knowledge and experience I accumulated.  In which direction do I want to go on?  Do I want to continue in my course of work that was cut from any reason or is it time to make the change I wanted to but did not dare do before?


Here are some possibilities:

1.  Study.

If you are young and had to start working in an early period of your life, this may be your opportunity to go back to studying. 
If you can afford a few years of unemployment, you can start one of the regular courses of education. If you can’t, you can take conversion courses that direct you to a line of work that is needed now in the market, and may be are fitted to you.  In times like this most governments subsidies such courses and sometime even pay you a minimum salary.


2. Independent or salaried employee

Now is the time to choose whether you can and want to work as an independent, may be as a sub-contractor in your line of business if it still a wanted business. Because of the hard economic situation it’s easier to find a job as a subcontractor than as an employee because the connection is not binding. It is a connection for a specific order rather than for a period, and there is no obligation to hire you except for that specific order.

If you are good enough in your field you can also work as an advisor and of course the possibility to open your own business still exists and is now easier because there is more government help then usually: both financial help and tutoring help.

Of course it is not suited for everyone to be an independent.  Many people do not want to worry every day where their livelihood will come from, and are more interested to be a part of an organization with ensured salary and higher income then they can earn as an independent. In those cases of course you have to check if your profession is such that with smaller than usual work opportunities you can find a job, and if not now is the time to look for another line of business because now is easier to make the change as the authorities are willing to help more than ever to create infrastructure jobs and to convert with subsidies courses from unneeded job to requested jobs.

 
Whatever will be your choice, because of the difficult times you have to prepare yourself more than ever. Study about the place of work you want to join and think about why you want that job, or the requested course you want to take.

Good luck.