In spite of all the bad news, you can find good things…when you look for them.  Your job responsibilities will increase -  You most likely will have more responsibilities than previously; the good is that you have a chance to prove your worth and ability to handle increased responsibilities when promotions are offered or a desired position becomes available. Companies are back to basics – When the extraneous is gone, employees and management can better focus on clear goals, projects and work.

You can ask for work you like – Doors open to opportunities when there are layoffs, due to the voids left when employees depart. It’s your chance to ask for work you like better, and move away from work you don’t like.

You may be forced to change – Those who experience forced change have the opportunity to do what they wouldn’t do otherwise: grow, try a new area of responsibility, or move out of a misfit job to a better match for their skills and experience.

You can spend time with loved ones – Anyone can be laid off work. While looking for your next career move, you can also spend significant time with those you love and care about.

Scot Herrick, writer of Cube Rules Blog, says, “How we approach difficult situations can often determine how good the resulting outcome will be. Knowing that good things can come out of a bad economy keeps us looking for the opportunities. And opportunities are what make great careers.”

His challenge question: “What good things have you experienced in this bad economy?”

Source: http://cuberules.com/2009/06/18/5-good-things-in-a-bad-economy/