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Are you afraid that you’ll lose your job within the next six to twelve months due to the recession? What are the warning signs you should know that could mean you’ll be unemployed soon? And what can you do now to protect yourself if your worst fear were to happen?

Unfortunately, you’re in good company. Recently a higher than usual number of people have contacted me looking for job leads, for either contract assignments or full-time jobs. At a time when HR really makes a HUGE difference, it’s unbelievable that this function is often downsized during economic downturns. When this happens, it’s truly a sign that a company just doesn’t understand the contribution that you, as a HR Pro can make to the bottom line right now through effective management and retention of your most productive people. Of course, your actions also protect the company from employee litigation, which potentially saves the company big money. But when this happens, you must move on and seek your next job “opportunity.”

Here are some of the warning signs to be on the lookout for that could be indicators that your job is in jeopardy:

* Your boss stops giving you work assignments that are project oriented and take several months to complete

* Your access to information is suddenly cut off

* Your boss stops seeking out your counsel and avoids you

* It feels somewhat uneasy or uncomfortable to be in your boss’ company, but you can’t figure out why or what’s changed

* Senior management or your Company’s CEO stop talking once you enter a room…..

Uh-oh!! It’s time to update your resume. We HR Pros are so good at taking care of everybody else that we put ourselves at the bottom of the list. Guess what? It’s time to put yourself at the TOP of your own priority list!

Update your resume, adding your “selected accomplishments” from your current job to others from previous jobs. Add skills, specials projects you managed, quantifying outcomes and results whenever possible. Talk about what’s uniquely “you” and how you differ from others in your field. Think about what is your unique selling proposition to prepare for interviews. You want to position yourself as an “A” player so consider yourself as an applicant from the recruiter’s perspective.

What challenges is the company facing? What skills, knowledge and abilities do you possess that can solve those problems in the short-term? Find out what challenges the company is facing in both the short and long-term, then position yourself as “the person” who can take them where they need to go in managing human resources. Remember that you’re selling yourself, and you’ll have to answer the employer’s question: “What can you do for me?”
Start spreading the word that you’re looking for your next job. Network, network and then network some more. Here’s some tips you can use to build contacts (and therefore, job leads):

* Make a list of your “circle of influence,” everyone you know who you consider being influential in your professional and social world. Write or email them with an update on your situation, and tell them that you’ll be calling them within the next week to follow up. Then, just do it! Brainstorm with them on the phone or in person about all of the contacts they have to determine others who you can call for job leads. Explore contract assignments or full-time work as a part of these conversations. Frequently contract work evolves into full-time employment.

* Go on websites and see what jobs are available. Craigslist, careerbuilder.com, monster, hrjobs.com, plus sites of professional associations you belong to, etc. Do Google searches for companies and jobs you’re interested in for different geographic locations.

* If applicable, post your qualifications on sites such as elance.com to gain freelance project work. You might end up going into business for yourself if you can generate enough business and enjoy the soloprenuer lifestyle.

* Use social networking such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to spread the word about your job search.

* Find recruiters who specialize in placing professionals in your field. Call them to learn about what jobs they’re filling, and how they work. Only use recruiters whose fee is 100% paid by the hiring Company (and not by you!).

* Buy and read books that will help you in your job search, such as the classic “What Color is Your Parachute?” Follow the advice they provide to help find your next job. Even if you get only one or two tips from each purchase, it’s worth it. They can be the tips that lead you to your next job.

* If outplacement services are offered, use them. Or negotiate to receive them as a part of your separation from the company.

If you’re truly worried that you’ll lose your job sometime over the next few months, start saving as much money from your paycheck as possible. Financial experts advise having a savings account with 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses stashed away for a rainy day. If you don’t have a “rainy day” fund, start one ASAP!

Remember that people are happy to help you, really they are. All you have to do is ask for their help, and most people will go out of their way to help you. Reportedly only 4% of all jobs ever are advertised in the newspaper, and with the decline in the newspaper industry this statistic is probably high. So that means that you are going to have work hard in your job search in today’s market to find the next good job opportunity.

Finally, even though change is difficult once you’ve gone down this path of finding your next job you may be in a better employment situation than the one that you left. Job hunting is tough, and I’ve always thought that it’s good for us as HR Pros to go through the process once in a while just to remember what’s it’s like to be on the other side of the desk. It always helps to remember how it feels to be the customer in the recruiting process.

Copyright 2008, Regan HR, Inc.