How to Recession-Proof Your Job

Jan. 16, 2008 — -- 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.

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.

Visualize your dreams. Ask yourself, "If I didn't have this job, what would I want to do if I could do anything?" Also ask, "If this job went away tomorrow, where could I see myself working?" Put all of those answers on paper. Be comprehensive. It could include an internal transfer to another department at your company. It could be a move to a competitor or it could be a whole other industry. That's the start of a roadmap — you have to know where you might go before you can actually get there.

Three Job Saving Tactics

Focus on making money. During a recession, the first cuts are made in what are considered cost centers — the jobs that cost money, not make money. These are often considered support positions, such as administrators, human resource, marketing and public relations, customer service and accounting.

The positions that are somewhat safe are the profit centers — the jobs that are directly responsible for making money. If you have the ability to transfer within your company to a sales position, for example, that's something to consider now. If you can solve costly problems, or save big bucks in your current role, get busy doing that, because you can be just as valuable if you save money as someone who brings in money.

Don't keep your nose to the grindstone. Ignore the conventional wisdom that you should just be quiet, bury your head and do your job. Definitely do your job — and do it really well — but don't bury your head. Be visible and be vocal about your contributions. Make sure your boss — and even the boss's boss — know what you're doing, and how well you're doing it.

If your knowledge and contributions are essential to the company, there's less of a chance you'll be axed, so it's up to you to communicate and market that knowledge before a decision has been made to eliminate your job.

Align with bigwigs. In every department and company, there are power brokers and all-stars — you know who they are where you work. Those people can be great allies in times of trouble. They can help protect your job by fighting to keep your position intact during discussions of where cuts should be made. If you're not already in with such folks, make an attempt now to get to know them. You could volunteer to help with a key project, participate in meetings, or even stay late or come in early, if that's the best way to get some face time.

Tory Johnson is the Workplace Contributor on ABC's "Good Morning America," and the CEO of Women For Hire (www.womenforhire.com).