In these tumultuous times, investing in the stock market may seem daunting.

With many stocks being battered down, they could be selling at enticing dividend yields, giving investors a massive headache when it comes to choosing the sustainable ones to invest in.

Should you pick StarHub Ltd (SGX: CC3), with a dividend yield of 6.3%, or choose Overseas Education Ltd (SGX: RQ1), which yields close to 10%? Or do both companies not make good dividend stocks?

How about Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (SGX: NS8U), which has a much higher dividend yield than say, Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX: S68), but may not necessarily make a good investment for the long-term?

So, to make things easier for you, here are three simple criteria for picking strong dividend companies that have the ability to withstand recessions.

Companies that are able to sustain their