Tips to Avoid Getting Laid Off

These six smart, field-tested strategies will help ensure you don't get burned by cutbacks at the office.

By Donna Rosato, Money Magazine senior writer

(Money Magazine) -- When you read the latest blog postings about layoffs in your industry or hear about another colleague losing his job, do waves of anxiety wash over you? Well, you don't really need us to confirm that you've got good reason. The unemployment rate among college-educated workers has jumped 41% over the past year, with layoffs only expected to accelerate over the next few months.