What I Learned About Jobs in 2009

Last year was the biggest learning experience I’ve had. In 2009 I had to learn how to stay positive when almost on a daily basis I was interacting with candidates who were losing their homes, savings and any sort of self respect. And I had to be flexible when we saw our own company’s recruiting efforts become fruitless because there were so few jobs to fill.

After all, last year drove home that people who are able to change and adapt to the changing economy were the most successful. With zero experience in radio, we launched a web radio show, landing interviews with Keith Ferrazzi (author of Never Eat Alone), Michael Port (author of Book Yourself Solid), and the brash Jeffrey Fox (author of How to Become a Rainmaker). We put up their bios and shared the interviews with our talent pool. Did it make us a single penny? No. But we learned (some more) and were able to give back.

I think 2010 is going to be an interesting year–and it will be more successful if we use all the lessons we learned in the last 12 months:…

Next Year Will Be a Better Year

When the ball drops at midnight and we say goodbye to 2009, look ahead with us at what we may hope for in 2010. All together now: We resolve to…

…get everyone (who wants one) a job. Unemployment benefits will run out for millions this year, but corporate profits are improving. Let’s turn this combo into a stronger job market.

…be a little more sure of our “recession is over” pronouncements. We’re talking about folks like Ben Bernanke, who talked of “green shoots” in March, but later pulled back from that. Or people like Larry Summers, who said that “everyone agrees the recession is over,” only to be followed up by others in the White House who softened that statement…

Most Popular Stories of 2009

In 2009 we lost our jobs, launched Recessionwire, found new gigs, lost one and left another, found new new jobs and freelance work, made countless new friends and learned more than we could have imagined. It’s been kind of awesome, thanks in no small part to our readers. We love you! And here’s what you loved to read on Recessionwire in 2009…

10. In October, we suggested readers Get Their Recession Scare On, with our downturn-themed Halloween costumes like the Bear Market and the Housing Bubble. Hilarious, even though we left out Sara’s idea of tossing on a plastic poncho and going as TARP.

9. Bad enough to lose your salary—the Incredible Shrinking Severance Check adds insult to injury…

One Quick Look Back at a Tough Year

Did you ever think you’d talk so much about “sub-prime” and “stimulus”? Learn so many new, made-up terms, from “funemployment” to “collateralized debt obligations”? No doubt about it, 2009 was The Year of the Recession.

We dropped into the technical range for “recession” in December 2007, but it took months for all of the pieces to fall. In September 2008, Wall Street came to a standstill, and by the new year, it was still recovering. Layoffs spread through every sector of the economy at a rapid pace. For the first time since the Depression, no one no matter how rich or established was immune to the creeping clutch of joblessness, portfolio deflation, or even homelessness.

The headlines in our daily Recession Briefing, along with the personal experiences tracked on Recessionwire, revealed a new world en recession:…

Even though we dropped into the technical range for “recession” in December 2007, it took months for all of the pieces to fall. In September 2008, Wall Street came to a standstill, and by the new year, it was still recovering and layoffs were spreading through every sector of the economy at a rapid pace. For the first time since the Depression, no one no matter how rich or established was immune to the creeping clutch of joblessness, portfolio deflation, or even homelessness.

The headlines in our daily Recession Briefing, along with the personal experiences tracked on Recessionwire, revealed a new world en recession:…

Small Business 2009 Motto? What Doesn’t Kill Us…

This may be the year everyone wants to forget. Layoffs ruled, credit cut off our breath, and small businesses couldn’t catch a break. While the colossal banks on Wall Street got a bailout, many small businesses couldn’t get a loan.

Even so, the tough times can make us stronger — or at least point out what we might not want to do again. Here’s a look back at the year that was and what we learned:

You don’t need your office as much as you once thought you did. If the overhead is overwhelming—ditch it. Michael M., a small business owner in New Jersey, went virtual: Everyone worked from home, and the overhead costs were limited to warehouse space for his products…