We’ve all seen the headlines; times are tough and projected to get tougher. Believe it or not, now is the time to strategize. “We’re in a recession, and if you don’t step up, you could be fired. It’s as simple as that,” says Stephen Viscusi, author of Bulletproof Your Job: 4 Simple Strategies to Ride Out the Rough Times and Come Out on Top at Work. Don’t panic—the following tips will help you survive without a scratch.

“Keeping your job in difficult times is not just about working hard, it’s also about working smart,” Viscusi explains. Here’s how to hang onto that cubicle:

Learn to lead: “Stand out by being open to a change in company direction and making yourself available for new projects,” suggests Cindy Hernandez, executive search consultant (that’s a headhunter to you) and owner of Top Recruits in Miami. You’ll show that you’re flexible and can be depended on when times are hard.

Be your boss’s BFF: Don’t go dancing with her three nights a week, but do make her like you. “If I understand where my employees come from, what they are dealing with and what their long-term personal and professional goals are, I see them as whole individuals with priorities and aspirations,” says Audrey Ponzio, a vice president at Edelman PR in New York City. And that translates into no pink slips for you, as your boss will be less likely to fire people she really knows.

It’s all about actions: Are you amazing at sniffing out leads? Got a knack for numbers? Ramp up your efforts and make sure the bigwigs know it; no one wants to boot talent off the bench. And be on the lookout for new niches. “Find the hot growth area in your industry and learn it well,” Viscusi advises. That also means that if you either make money or know how to save money for the company, they might think twice before eliminating your position.

Be a team player: It’s key that you play well with others. “It’s not a total popularity contest, but people want to work with coworkers they like. If an employee is notorious for being off-putting or isolated, I do look at that unfavorably,” Ponzio says. So make sure your boss knows you care about the company’s well being just as much as your own.

Train others: “Bosses tend to be lazy when it comes to training,” Viscusi says. Take the initiative and you’ll prove not only that you know your job well, but also that you have management potential. Plus, it’ll put you in your boss’s good graces. “If one of my employees sees that I’m crunched and offers help, I’m forever grateful,” Ponzio confirms.

Just in Case

Even as you make yourself invaluable on the job, there are things you should be doing to prepare for your next gig.

Keep your résumé up to date: Did you just attend a company-mandated skills seminar or pull in a huge account? Update that bad boy! While you’re at it, create a few tailored versions for different types of positions—especially if you have a varied job history. Most importantly, “Never be afraid of making powerful statements about your achievements,” Hernandez says. “Recruiters want to read about your contributions.”

Reach forward and back: Now is also the time to secure both a mentor and a mentee within your company. Mentors can help you avoid the rickety rungs on the career ladder, and Viscusi notes that fostering new talent not only improves employee retention (a huge cash-saver), but it also increases your support base (a huge job-saver).

Network like a madwoman: This doesn’t mean you should join five professional organizations and wait for the offers to roll in; you’ve got to be an active participant to make a network work for you. “Schedule informational interviews to get a foot in the door,” Viscusi says.

Establish your brand: Figure out what you want to project: Write your own one-paragraph biography and see what emerges as your “thing.” Got it? Now offer to speak on your area of expertise at the local chamber of commerce, volunteer for panels at professional organization conventions, blog about it, self-publish a book about it—whatever it takes. Get your name out there and you’ll become more attractive to employers. You also need to be cognizant of things that work against your brand: “Clean up your Facebook page!” Viscusi says. “No one needs to know how many tequila shots you had at last Friday’s party.”