Layoffs are happening across the U.S. because of today’s economy. So, how do you find a job when the economy is down? And how do you find a job that you’ll feel secure in? You need to look for opportunities with businesses that are growing or flat, at the very least.

Growing and emerging industries include (see our June 2 blog post for details): healthcare, accounting, technology, higher education, life sciences, and alternative energy.

If you haven’t worked in one of these industries before, don’t worry. You just have to be willing to be flexible. Remember, the new CEO of GM Edward Whitacre, who is the former chief executive of AT&T, said, “I know nothing about cars… [but] a business is a business.”

Reflect on the skills that you use in your current position and those you have used throughout your career. Forget about job titles and ask yourself, “What is it exactly that I do?” You should think hard about how you can apply your skills to a position in a burgeoning field so you’ll be able to highlight your transferable skills when you land an interview.

As you explore new industries, you’ll have to alter your job search strategy. You cannot just post your resume on Monster and then sit back and wait for recruiters to seek you out. You have to be proactive if you want to uncover “the hidden job market,” or openings that are not posted on job board Web sites. You can read this May 10 Boston Globe article to learn why you should alter your strategy and tips for discovering Boston Jobs. 

Here’s what the article boils down to: You need to network. Networking today is different from networking 5 years ago because now the Internet is king. To effectively network in the digital age, join Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook and engage professionals in your targeted industry.