While a recession may not be inevitable, the economy is showing slowed growth, and this could mean that some companies consider downsizing. Worries about a US recession have many also worrying about their jobs.

    當經濟消退不可避免、增長放緩的時候，就意味著某些公司要考慮裁員了。美國經濟消退讓許多人對自己的飯碗也擔心起來。

    You want to make sure that you can keep your job if times get tougher. Below are five things you can do to improve your chances of being kept on.

    如果你希望在時局艱難的時候保住工作，不妨參考以下五個方法：

    1. Come up with ways to cut costs.

    想出節約成本的方法

    See areas of waste at your company? Point out practical ways to improve efficiency and cut costs in the workplace. Obviously, now is not the time to ask for a raise. Bonus: If you can see a potential new revenue stream that requires a low (or better yet, no) cost investment, get that going. Someone who is innovative at stretching resources is more valuable than someone who does nothing more than consume them.

    看見公司存在浪費？提出實際可行的方法來提高效率并節減開支。顯然，現在并不是要求加薪的時間。好處：如果你能找到一條新的、投資少（如果不需投資就更好）的收入渠道，那么就去實踐。那些能想出新點子以最大化利用資源的人要比只會消耗資源的人更有價值。

    2. Boost your visibility.

    讓別人注意到你

    You want to be noticed in a positive way. Make sure you are on time to work, and that you limit your vacation time. Also, if you are making solid contributions, make sure that they are noticed. You don't have to be obnoxious about it, but you should make sure that your boss is aware of what you add to the company. You want to be known. The first people fired are those with a negative impression. The next to go are those that are unnoticed and therefore expendable.

    如果你希望人們注意到你積極的一面，請確保準時上班并限制休假時長。如果你做出了可觀的貢獻；確保別人注意到這一點。不要表現得太過頭惹人討厭，但應該讓老板意識到你對公司的貢獻。你希望被人們關注。首先被解雇的總是那些給人印象消極的員工。而第二批被解雇的人將會是那些不引人注意從而可以“被犧牲”的人。

    3. Go beyond.

    多做事

    Look for ways to go beyond what you've been told to do. Volunteer for additional tasks. But be careful! Don't volunteer for more than you can handle. You want to be known as a go-getter who gets the job done well.

    想辦法做些超出自己工作范圍的事情。自愿去做額外工作。但是注意！別做力不能及的事情。你希望人們認為你是一個能把事情做好的“富有進取心的人”。

    4. Improve your skill set.

    提高你的技能

    Are your skills obsolete? Take extra classes to brush up the latest skills. If career improvement seminars are offered at work, attend them. You want to show your employer that you are still viable in the workplace, and that you have the necessary training to continue doing a good job.

    你的技能過時了嗎? 參加培訓來更新你的技能。如果公司提供職業提升班，那就參加。你希望向你的雇主表現出在職場上依然"有用"，并且受過必要的培訓來繼續提高業務水平。

    5. Watch your attitude.

    注意自己的態度

    Now is not the time to complain constantly. If you have constructive ways to make the workplace better, present them in a professional manner. Do not whine or complain excessively. A reputation as a morale-killer can lose you your job.

    現在可不是抱怨不停的時候。如果你有建設性的方法改善工作環境，以專業的方式提出。不要發牢騷或抱怨個沒完。一個“士氣殺手”的名聲可能讓你失去工作。

    And, because there's no guarantee that you will retain your job in a recession, no matter how hard you try, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. On your own time, update your resume. Also, make sure that you are still networking with old bosses, coworkers, and business contacts. Don't wait until you are laid off to keep your contacts and resume fresh. You will get better results if you are prepared ahead of time.

    而且，在不景氣時沒有人能保證你能保住工作，所以，不論多么努力地工作，也要做好失業的準備。在業余時間更新簡歷。同時，確保和以前的老板、同事、企業聯系人有聯系。不要等到失業后再找聯系人和更新簡歷。未雨綢繆會讓結果好一些。