5 WAYS...

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To Recession Proof Your Job

Of course, there's no way to completely protect yourself from being laid off or let go when your company has to trim jobs. But there are certainly ways that you can make them look at you as less expendable. Here are some tips that will help you hold on during this financial downturn.

First of all, try to keep a positive attitude and not show that you're worried. It's normal to fret if you're facing a job loss, but fretting can make you irritable and that can make you no fun to be around. It can also make you a less productive employee, if you're constantly preoccupied with thinking about worst-case scenarios instead of the latest report the boss wants on his desk by quitting time. Your co-workers, who are also probably worried about their jobs, will be less supportive if you're obviously anxious and short-tempered with them, and support is very important at a time like this. Even if you don't feel like being sociable or cheerful, fake it and you might find that it takes your mind off your troubles, at least for awhile. It will certainly make a better impression on the people who control who gets fired and who doesn't.

Show your employers that losing you could cost them money, instead of saving money. Find any instance at all of places that the company can save money and point it out to your manager. Make sure that YOU save the company money, even if it's only on little items like office supplies. In hard times, even little savings can add up. Just make sure that the Powers That Be know that it was your idea.

Make sure that you're scrupulously conscientious about performing your duties - and it doesn't hurt to go that extra mile also. Dust off your job description and make sure that you're living up to it. If you are, see if you can think of little extra chores that you can do besides. Maybe your office manager or boss has something he usually does that he'd be happy to delegate to someone who can handle it. It might not save any money, but it could tip the balance when he's figuring out who he could most easily let go. Make yourself essential to the people who make the cuts.

If you can, delay your vacation and make sure you arrive early and stay a few minutes later if there's a task that you can finish that day. If you take your vacation, the boss might realize that he doesn't really need you in the office for things to get done. This is no time to show him that your job isn't crucial to the operation of the company. It's also no time to let yourself get caught in traffic or forget to set the alarm, thereby arriving late. No matter the excuse, people who don't work a full day are usually the first to go when times are tough.

Even if your boss has always given you good reviews, make sure that she knows how important you are to the company. Don't brag about how great you are, but do let your boss know about the things you're doing to save the company money or help the general financial situation where you work.

While you still may not escape losing your job, even if you do all of the above, at least you'll have a good reference to take on your search for a new job. All of the suggestions to avoid downsizing are just as relevant to finding or keeping a job no matter what shape the economy is in. People with a good work history and positive references from a former employer stand a much better chance of spending the shortest amount of time unemployed.