(MarketWatch) U.S. employers have cut tens of thousands of jobs in the last few months and layoffs appear to be spreading. If you're worried about your job, now isn't the time to panic. It's time to get prepared.

Here are six ways to prepare for a layoff, from Kate Lorenz, an editor at Career Builder.com, an online job-search site.

Get organized.
Print and take home personal files on your computer and locate copies of your performance appraisals and other personnel records. Review your status reports and project files to help you update your résumé so that it reflects all of your recent accomplishments and newly acquired skills. Think about what you might want to do next and whom you might want to use as a reference.

Get what's coming to you.
Take advantage of any perks and benefits to which you are entitled. Schedule your checkups and tend to any or issues while you're still insured -- especially if you've already met your deductibles. If you've got a flexible spending account, turn in all outstanding claims to avoid forfeiting any balances. In addition, know exactly how much vacation and floating holiday time you've used and make sure you've taken credit for your holidays. (Most companies will not honor unused holidays, but will pay you for any remaining vacation.)

Get connected.
Spend at least one to two hours a day networking. Call your friends, former co-workers and clients. Attend your professional association meetings. This is a good time to help others who may be helpful to you in the future.

Get searching.
Visit the Web sites of any relevant trade and professional associations as well as companies where you'd like to work. Check print and online job postings to see what requirements are being asked for in your desired next job and note any gaps in your experience or skill base.

Get an exit strategy.
The folks will be working from a script when they give you the news. Make sure you know what you should say too. If no information about severance pay has been communicated, check the policy manual to find out what is standard practice. Do not agree to sign anything then and there; say that you need to review the proposed agreement with your legal and financial advisers. The National Employee Rights Institute contends that employees have more bargaining power than they realize -- and not only about the amount of severance pay. Assess your situation, so that you can negotiate aspects of the termination that will have the most value for you.

Get fired up!
When layoffs are looming, stay positive and place yourself in a position of strength. Remember, change is an accelerating mechanism. It can bring about hardship and anxiety if you try to avoid it, but tremendous opportunity if you accept and welcome it.

By Marshall Loeb
Copyright © 2007 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved

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