If there’s one word that describes Americans’ forecast about the current economy, it’s “uncertain.” According to a recent Gallup poll, 47% of people surveyed said they expected a recession or depression within the next 12 months, while the other 45% expected growth. No one can say for sure how the economy will perform a year from now, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared for an economic downturn.
Recessions come and go, but developing the right skillset can make you resilient and in demand in any job market. For all the new graduates, job seekers, and career changers looking to prepare for economic uncertainty, here’s our guide to the four essential job skills that will help you stand out to employers, no matter how competitive the job market gets.
Four Essential Job Skills During A Recession
1. Communication: Still the #1 Soft Skill
You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again. Strong communication skills are a huge asset in the job market. So much so that we put them as the number one essential job skill.
The ability to write and speak effectively is important, and not just for customer-facing roles. Interpersonal communication skills are useful for everyone, whether you’re aiming for leadership or just want to be more effective in your remote work (collaborating digitally is a skill of its own!) Teams increasingly communicate online via email, Zoom, Slack, and video, so learning the tools and practicing your digital communication will serve you well, too.
How to Develop Communication Skills
Learning how to communicate better takes time and consistent effort. Get started with our Intro to Communication course, where you’ll learn the foundations of interview prep, negotiation, and public speaking!
2. Project Management: Skills That Power Every Industry
Project management skills are critical in nearly every field and role. Rather than viewing project management as a single skill, it's more accurate to see it as a set of essential job skills, including:
Collaboration — communicating, maintaining transparency, and building strong relationships.
Technological skills — understanding planning and tracking tools like Trello or Asana.
Time management— setting priorities, estimating effort and timeline, hitting deadlines, and balancing short-term tasks with your team's bigger goals.
Problem-solving — keeping projects on schedule throughout changing timelines, budgets, and team members.
How to Develop Project Management Skills
Whether you’d like to work as a project manager or are just looking to brush up on your project management skills, Introduction to Business with StraighterLine is a great starting point.
If you want to become a project manager, companies hire Project Management Specialists to coordinate project budgets, schedules, and resources. You might go on to complete a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and a bachelor’s degree in business or project management.
3. Technology & Digital Literacy: Not Optional Anymore
How comfortable are you with technology? The days when basic computer skills were enough are over. In the current job market, digital fluency isn’t optional — it’s expected. To get started, you might focus on learning tools and technologies, including:
Office platforms — Microsoft Office or Google Workspace are used by many teams for document sharing and collaboration.
Communication tools — Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom are how most teams communicate or video conference. Learn how to send messages, participate in threads, and be in meetings (chat, screen sharing).
Project management platforms — Most teams rely on a project management tool like Trello, Asana, ClickUp, or Jira to stay organized. Since you don’t know which tool your future employer will use, choose one platform and learn how to track tasks, assign responsibilities, and manage deadlines. This will make it easier to learn a new one when the time comes.
Cybersecurity awareness — Know the basics like two-factor authentication, how to manage passwords, and how to recognize phishing attempts. Many companies have cybersecurity training as part of onboarding, but you’ll have a head start if you’re familiar with the concepts going into the job.
Cloud storage — Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive is how most companies store digital files. Sharpen up your tech skills by learning how to organize, share, and collaborate on files.
Troubleshooting and self-sufficiency — Every company is different in what tech they use. The most important thing is to demonstrate basic competency! That means solving basic issues or troubleshooting simple problems without the help of IT.
How to Develop Technological Literacy
Building “technologically literacy” may sound like a lot if you’re not comfortable with the basics — that’s even more reason to get started now! Trust us that technological literacy will stay one of the most essential job skills for the future. IT Fundamentals will give you an easy way to boost your comfort and competence with technology.
4. Flexibility: Your Career Safety Net
In the past, it was common for people to stay in the same job (even with the same company) for decades. But job and career changes are the new normal! If you’re thinking about switching to a new career, it’s really never too late.
Cultivating flexibility is a skill that will serve you well both in and out of a job. When it comes to flexibility in the workplace, employers know that flexible teams are more resilient, productive, and adaptable. And if you’re out of work, your ability to adapt quickly and stay open to opportunities is essential, especially in times of economic uncertainty. Flexibility means you can spot changes before they happen and not get stuck in old habits or roles.
How to Develop Flexibility
If you’re reading this post, you’re already taking the first step! Learning new skills and adapting to current circumstances shows initiative, and that’s exactly what employers are looking for. StraighterLine offers flexible, self-paced online courses to help you reskill or upskill affordably and on your terms.
What do you think are the essential job skills that make you more recession-resistant?
If you’re looking to stay resilient in a changing job market, sometimes you don’t need to start a full career change. You can start by learning the recession-resistant, essential job skills of flexibility, communication, technology, and project management, in or out of the classroom.
StraighterLine can help! With strategic online courses that you complete at your own pace, you can choose the courses that will help you learn new skills or get you on the right track for your degree.
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