Don't Get Caught Off Guard by a Layoff

Oct. 23, 2008 — -- One-third of workers are worried about losing their jobs, according to a recent survey by the Associated Press. For those in their 30s and 40s, the number jumps to half.

If you're facing a possible layoff, start preparing for your future now.

If your company is experiencing financial trouble, even strong performers may lose their jobs. Ask yourself, "If I lost my job today, what would I do?" Are your basic skills up to par? If not, consider online tutorials now. Many people have told me that they've recently applied for administrative temp jobs, but they often fail the required skills tests for simple programs like Word and Excel.

Figure out who you'd call and what types of opportunities you'd go after. Create that search strategy before you actually need it.

As you plan for the worst, you should also assume the best, which means focusing on saving your job. Act like a survivor and play the part. Don't let fear get the best of you while on the job. When you look and act vulnerable, it's much easier to hand you that pink slip than when you're tight with the boss, highly productive and a positive force at a very down time.

Everyone above and below you must see you as indispensable right now: Show up early and stay late. Achieve results that are essential to the company today. Remind the powers that be of your institutional knowledge that would be difficult to replace right now if you were gone. And, if necessary, don't be shy about doing the job of two or even three people, to help the company get through this rough patch.

Many people have told me in recent weeks that they don't want to settle for a position that pays less than what they need to make -- even though they're currently unemployed.

In this economy, I think "settling" is holding out while praying for the perfect job to come along, and accumulating debt and wiping out savings while you have no money coming in. If you accept something that isn't necessarily ideal, but will do for now to help you and your family through a challenging time, that's not settling -- it's smart. Think of the difference between "perfect" and "good enough." In this climate, perfection may not be possible, but good enough is. Obviously, don't let your prospective employer know you're thinking that way.