The first thing you should do is start having a more proactive mindset. This means that you got to try and be in that 75% of people with jobs (saying that this recession could lead to a 25% unemployment rate is over exaggerated, but it could go up to 15%). So if you think you are in an industry that will have to downsize its workforce in the near future such as the motoring and banking industry then it might be a good idea to start looking for new opportunities before becoming unemployed. You will find that you will have to learn some new skills or gain some new qualifications to meet the requirements of new jobs.

Another important step is to make yourself look important in the eyes of other people. It may be that your job is really easy but as long as you make it sound difficult and your boss realises this then it will mean that you will not be the first one on the list to be let go. It may be an idea to come up with some saving initiatives for the company where you work. This will give you more visibility and make the management think that they really need you.

Nonetheless sometimes it does not matter what you do to save your job, a job can be lost. Usually it takes months before you find another job so you need to be able to survive comfortably in these few months that you are searching for a job. How can you do that? Well there are three basic measures which you can start carrying out right now.

1. Start building up reserves

You may not have the money to go out and buy 2 months worth of necessities right now. However if you start buying more of everything slowly each time you go shopping it builds up without even noticing. So for example you can buy more toilet paper and more cleaning liquids or also buying canned food will mean that you will be able to eat comfortably if you end up with no job.

2. Start Saving Money

You probably guessed this one. Well it’s always important that you have some savings just in case you need it. Saving a bit more the usual may not be a bad idea. Also consider having a few hundred dollars cash in you house for the simple reason that as you know there have been bank failures before and sometimes this may take a few weeks to sort out.

3. Cut your expenses

This is very important and can be done with a bit of work. Examples could be just reducing your phone bill, going out less and not buying the newest gadgets. If you think this is too difficult then let us assume that currently you are earning $3000 per month but after being made redundant from your last job you end up working at McDonalds for $6 an hour. If you are earning $6 an hour then you have no choice but to reduce your expenses.