Preparing for a layoff

In today's unpredictable economy, all professionals should be prepared to react quickly and positively should their employment become unstable. Even those who feel most secure and consistently perform at high levels are vulnerable to threats beyond their control, like a company downsizing, filing for bankruptcy protection or going out of business altogether. In many cases, it doesn't matter how good you are at your job or how hard you work.

Since the recession began in December 2007, the economy has shed 4.4 million jobs, bringing the unemployment rate to nearly 9%. Unfortunately, the hemorrhaging doesn't appear to be stopping anytime soon. Economists agree the labor market's pain will likely continue into 2010.

Recession or not, it's always a good idea to plan ahead for potential career derailments before they happen. Preparing for a layoff can help ensure you have enough money saved to live on while you're unemployed, give you an advantage in finding a new job and minimize the stress involved in this painful situation. Here are steps you can take to help keep a layoff from hitting you too hard.

Stay in the game. Always have a passive job search in progress. Keep your résumé updated, and your eyes and ears open for new job openings. Periodically hit the online job boards to see what's out there. Even if you like your current position, you could find a similar one that pays more or has better benefits. And you never know when your dream job might open up. Passive job seeking can help maintain a steady stream of job leads and keep lines of communication open between you and recruiters. If you get laid off, you'll have a head start in finding and landing your next job.

Meet recruiters.Good recruiters like to meet passive job candidates. They want to get to know candidates who are good at their jobs, perform well and have desirable skills but aren't seriously looking for a new position. If they are able to build a relationship with you over time, when a suitable opportunity crosses their desk, you're more likely to be among the first they call. Reach out to the major staffing firms that specialize in IT. To make the introduction, call them and say something along the lines of, "Hi, my name is Joe, and I'm happy in my current job, but I'd like to know a little more about what your company does and speak to you about what I do." Most recruiters will gladly take 15 or 20 minutes to talk to you. They might also have you come to their office for a casual, in-person meeting to get a better understanding of your experience and skills. This is a good way to build rapport and increase your network. Maintain your relationships by keeping recruiters updated on your job status, career goals and changes in your company's staffing. This can give you a foot in the door if you need their help getting a new job.

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