Recession Proof Your Job: 4 Ways to Avoid Unemployment

Your worries about job loss are not misplaced. So far roughly 1.2 million U.S. workers have lost their jobs because of the global economic recession. No doubt, more pink slips are coming. Here are 4 things you could do to avoid being a pink slip recipient.

1. Be Prepared.

Start thinking about what you would do if worse comes to worse. This means tracking your money (see Don’t push the panic button (yet)). It also means cutting expenses (for some ideas see Painless ways to cut expenses and save for retirement and Financially Strapped? Ways to put more money in your pocket).

2. Be An Expert.

Make sure you know your job inside and out. Learn as much about your boss’s job and as much about everyone’s job in your department as you can. The more valuable you are the more your company needs you.

3. Be There.

If you’re a telecommuter, rev up your face time in the office. If people don’t see you, they’ll be apt to question why they need you. Do you rush out at the end of the day? If so, slow down, check with your boss and other teammates before you leave work to see what you can do to help them out. Come in earlier so that you’ll have more time to get things done, but also so that people can see you working.

4. Be A Morale Booster.

Losing a job is doubly traumatic during a recession. Don’t add to the damper by talking about your troubles or spreading bad news. Look for ways that you can be supportive without being everyone’s problem catcher. Can you organize a brown bag lunch hour where people watch classic movies? What about a lunch walk? Or bring your dog to work day?

One thing to keep in mind: The U.S. has experienced 13 economic recessions. Each time we’ve bounced backed. We’ll do it again.

Donny Gamble is author of a personal finance blog called Invesmint.com. His website discusses the many topics surrounding various topics of personal finance including what to do if your job has just laid you off.

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