According to the U.S Department of Labor in December 2008, 37 states and Washington D.C. experienced an increased unemployment rate, compared to the previous month; in addition, over the year, 49 states saw their jobless rate increase.

With so many people losing their jobs throughout the country, it’s easy to feel that losing your job may be just around the corner. But there’s no reason to stand idly by while your current job pushes you out the door. Rather, you can be proactive in trying to recession-proof your career so that you can weather the storm.

It’s very easy, in this current economy, to get caught up in the domino effect that is taking place. But the truth of the matter is that what started with the banks doesn’t have to end with your career. There are more people working than not; we just have to start concentrating on the positive.

With the unemployment rate rising to 6.7% – the highest since 1993 – more applicants may be hearing the dreaded “O” word, as in “over-qualified,” when seeking new employment, according to ClearRock, an executive coaching and outplacement firm headquartered in Boston.
 
“There have been extensive cutbacks across many industries – from Wall Street and other financial services, to pharmaceutical and high-tech companies.  Layoffs have occurred at all organizational levels, from top executives down.  With about 1.9 million fewer jobs in the work force than a year ago, more people will be applying for lower-level and/or lower-paying jobs than they recently had – and may have to confront claims that they are over-qualified,” said Ali Chambers, vice president with ClearRock.
 
“Being labeled as ‘over-qualified’ may especially be a problem for someone who really needs the income from even a lower-level or lower-paying job than he or she was used to,” added Chambers.  “Candidates need to learn how to counter assertions that they are over-qualified when interviewing for jobs.” 

ClearRock offers the following advice to people on how to reply to being labeled as “over-qualified” for a job:
 
Push back and clarify your position to the interviewer.  “Answer that you aren’t
‘over-qualified,’ but are ‘completely qualified’ for the job,” said Chambers.  “Tell them that you wouldn’t want to buy a car that can go only as fast as the speed limit – you want a car with reserve that can handle varying road conditions and situations.  So, why would they want to hire someone who can only do exactly what is expected of him or her, when they can bring aboard someone who can do that and more as needed?”
 
Argue that to you, a job is more than just a pay check.  “Tell the interviewer you feel there are many components to job and career satisfaction, and that some intangibles might be worth a pay cut to you.  These non-monetary benefits could include flexible work hours, opportunities for you to learn a new industry or skill, being able to work from home, or having a shorter commute to work.  These are things that money can’t buy,” said Chambers.
 
Demonstrate that you are motivated by the opportunity the job presents.  “When a candidate is ‘over-qualified,’ there’s no question he or she has the skills.  However, you need to show you are motivated by the opportunity.The job may offer the chance for someone who has been used to managing people to be an individual contributor, or may present someone in the latter part of his or her career the chance to coach and mentor employees and share experiences,” said Chambers.

America’s job creators offered the Obama administration’s economic plans another resounding vote of “no confidence.” Stocks are again plunging as President Barack Obama signaled a refusal to change the failed big-spending, big-government policies responsible for the current economic stagnation.

When markets opened after the biggest Election Day in presidential history, the S&P 500 tumbled 52.98 points, or 5.3 percent while the Dow retreated 486.01, or 5.1 percent. The Russell 2000 Index of small U.S. companies fell 5.7 percent to 514.64. The MSCI World Index of 23 developed markets decreased 2.5 percent to 982.98. The stock market declined again after Obama's State of the Union address.