5 Surefire Ways to Recession Proof Your Job

Learning how to recession proof your family right now is imperative, both to prepare for the possibility of layoff and prosper even during the recession.  Today’s installment shares ways to recession proof your job.  If you missed the other articles in the Recession Proof Your Family series so far, read a few of them first:

• What Would We Do if My Husband Lost His Job?
• Recession-Proofing: It’s Not About How Much You Make
• 9 Step Plan to Recession Proof Your Pantry and Food
• 5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Live a Frugal Life

Editor’s Note: The following article is a guest post from Shellie. You can find her blogging at Saving with Shellie.

Recession Proof Your Job

Last week our government announced that the unemployment rate is at 8%. Yes, that’s high but it also means that 92% of Americans have a job. They have a job that they’re terrified of losing. There are several simple steps that can help you avoid being laid off.
1. Be Informed
Don’t let your company’s financial status be a mystery to you. Trickle down communication doesn’t always convey the most accurate information or the most current. Familiarize yourself with trade publications, blogs and online resources specific to your industry. You may learn that industry insiders are speculating that your company will have layoffs soon. But you may also learn that a certain project is getting lots of buzz. By staying on top of the game, you may be able to position yourself onto the buzz project and avoid a layoff. At the very least, you may have time to prepare and the layoff won’t be a surprise.
2. Network
Networking isn’t only for the unemployed or sales people. Many professionals actively employed are always building their contacts. The idea behind this is by building relationships with people in your industry, you’ll be better positioned when you do need (or want) a job. There are lots of ways to do this. Join professional organizations geared toward your industry. Join LinkedIn. The thing with networking is you must take a proactive approach. The contacts won’t come to you. You must go to them.
Networking isn’t only for the unemployed or sales people. By building relationships with people in your industry, you’ll be better positioned when you do need (or want) a job.
3. Make Yourself More Valuable
You need to find ways to set yourself apart from Joe Coworker. See if your industry has any special certifications that you can do to give you more knowledge in your field. If not, take a class at a local community college that would give you more experience or specialization. The benefit of this is two-fold. It shows you are passionate about your career and it makes you more knowledgeable in your field.
4. Go Above and Beyond
Sure, everyone has duties that they must get done. But do those and then some. Volunteer for special projects. Look around and find a way your company can cut costs without cutting quality. Be inventive. Also, be sure your boss and their boss know about. Don’t do it silently but don’t be obnoxious about it.
5. Maintain a Positive Attitude
Yes, it’s scary. Sure you want to talk about the possibility of getting laid off with your coworkers. But a positive attitude goes a long way. Lay offs are bad for employee morale. Poor morale negatively impacts work ethic. By keeping a positive attitude and applying that in your work, you show management that despite the downturn, you are still committed to your job and the company.
These tips are by no means a guarantee but they won’t hurt and can really help. Plus, be sure to always keep your resume up-to-date and the names of a few good headhunters handy.
Follow Shellie’s frugal living tips with the SavingwithShellie.com RSS feed.  It’s full of great ideas like how to spend a little and get a lot. As a full-time accountant and blogger, she shares how it’s possible for anyone to find time for a bargain.