I got an e-mail from Johnny over at AskMen.com about an article they published regarding recession proofing your job. I read it with great interest as I’ve seen a few of these sorts of articles before and they haven’t come through. What silver bullet would they demonstrate that could ensure success and job security during a recession?

They suggested a combination of a positive attitude, being visible, taking initiative and seeking feedback. These are all solid things. These are things you should be doing (not just during a recession but at all times). I would have probably added a few more things but what do I know?

I hate to give away the ending but none of these things will recession proof your job. Seriously, nothing you can do can keep you protected from the disaster of losing your job. I know there are many people out there desperately looking for help and are getting scared about their jobs. I’ve felt that too. It is perfectly fine.

But this advice? It’s not going to hurt you but I don’t think it will ultimately help you. Your job security is much more nuanced than any of these articles would suggest.

To have a recession proof job, you’d have to work for a recession proof company. There are no companies left that aren’t impacted in some way by the economic climate. So throw that out. Even if you are vital to your company, if your company is not vital to its customers or you get competition that pushes you out, you don’t have a recession proof job.

Let’s say you have a recession proof company like the government, your job is still not recession proof because the priorities and funding of the government are always changing. Ask anyone working for the government as a scientist or in research. You get your one year contract that can be renewed. You have teachers being laid off because there is a decline in students. You have towns like Youngstown, Ohio who have lost thousands of people and have reduced all areas of their government. Very few jobs in the government are untouchable even if it has seemed that way the last decade or two.

Instead of worrying about your job (where you have limited control), why don’t you prepare your life for the recession? This not only involves doing your best at work but also making sound fiscal choices and taking control of the things that you can control. Everything else? Just be prepared for whatever possibility could come along.