11 books to help grow your career during a recession — with tips on how to get hired, promoted, and find meaningful work

Books can be the best consultant to guide your career through this recession.Dan Kitwood/Getty

• The US is now facing a looming recession, leaving many people uncertain about their career prospects.
• While these are unique circumstances, it can still be helpful to read up on expert advice and the accounts of other professionals as they navigated financial crises and hardship in the past.
• We've compiled a list of books that will build up the business skills and knowledge needed to face this recession, with help from career experts Amanda Augustine and Fred Goff.

It can feel daunting to navigate your professional life under the uncertainties of a pandemic-induced recession.

The total number of unemployment filings over a 16-week period has reached nearly 50 million. And an economic recession has turned what was a job seekers market, into an unemployment rate of nearly 11.1% in June.

But it's not the first time that people have had to navigate the effects of a severe economic downturn. If you're wondering how to best manage your career through the recession, it may help to read up on how experts have done it in the past.

We researched and cross-referenced lists and reviews of the best business books, with a specific emphasis on those most helpful for recession times. We also got recommendations from CEO of Jobcase Fred Goff and career advice expert Amanda Augustine to compile this list of the best books to improve your career prospects during a recession.