How to Recession-Proof Your Job

In a challenging economic climate, you might not be able to recession-proof your specific job, but you can definitely recession-proof your career.

That means if you're a mortgage lender and your company is in trouble, that job is likely impossible to save at this time, but that doesn't mean your career is in the gutter. Right now is when all of us should be taking stock of our situations, assessing our jobs, and developing a smart safety net for our careers.

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This includes assessing your company's financial health. Pay attention to external media coverage and internal water cooler chatter. If you work in an industry that is vulnerable right now — or if there were signs of possible panic and cutbacks within your company, such as cancellation of annual holiday parties last month or a reduction of bonuses — then you should consider yourself warned. Don't panic; just get prepared.

Watch "Good Morning America" Thursday for more on this story with Tory Johnson .

There are two categories in which to focus your efforts: job search tactics and job saving tactics.

Three Job Search Tactics

Get resume-ready this month. Don't wait for a pink slip to figure out what you'd put on a resume to account for the last several years. Click here to view resume templates that can help you to showcase your skills, abilities and accomplishments. Everyone should be resume-ready in this economy.

Network now. The classic mistake is waiting to call all of those long lost friends and former colleagues when you need something. Check in with them now.

Make a list of 50 people who aren't part of your inner circle. Fifty isn't a difficult number if you push yourself. It's only Jan. 16, so it's still very acceptable to send out e-mails and make calls to wish someone a Happy New Year in an effort to reconnect. You won't have that excuse much longer, so take advantage of it now — before you need it.

Then, add to that list 50 other people — those you'd consider within your inner circle, such as family, friends and neighbors. Having this list handy will enable you to be one step ahead of the game, should you find yourself needing to start a job search at some point.