Trends and Entertainment

Recession Lexicon: Bridge Job

/n. Unlike many of the terms that have wiggled into our vocabulary during the downturn, this one isn’t new (or one that we invented sitting around our living rooms). Economists have used it to describe the work that people took to transition from their careers to full retirement—consulting gigs, part-time jobs, whatever. Sometimes they needed the money; other times they just didn’t want to go from 60 m.p.h. to zero.

Now, bridge jobs tide you over if you’ve been laid off and can’t find another job in your profession. They may not pay as much, they may not use your skills, but at least they give you some income until things get better.

Ex: It’s not like I set out to be a barista, but it’s a decent bridge job until banks start hiring again.

See how other people are using it:
Unemployed Pittsburgh workers seeking ‘bridge’ jobs struggling (Tribune-Review)

Are you ‘Applying Down’ to Jobs? (CareerBuilder.com)

Hired! New job, new state, new start (CNNMoney.com)

Tags: Recession Lexicon, The Unemployed Life, Trends and Entertainment