We have enumerated certain structural trends which go hand in hand
with economic insecurity. One thing I have found to be a barometer of
tough times (i.e. recessions) that is far more honest than, say,
economic statistics from official sources, is the "want ads." The
term want ads in this context is meant to denote any and all
published information about job openings, including newspaper
classifieds, monster™-like web sites, looseleaf binders at state
unemployment agencies and university placement offices, the whole
gamut. Obviously, since 90% of job openings are unpublished (an
example, by the way, of information asymmetry) the want ads cannot be
taken as representative of "what's out there," but the qualitative
tone of the offerings sometimes speaks volumes.
Bad times for labor in general tend (nominally, of course) to be boom times for certain professions, if the want ads are any indication. These, of course, are:
- sales, especially outside sales (see sales critter ship)
- accounts receivable (i.e. collections)