1. SEDUCE THE BIG GUY

No, not like that. "It's like when you want to lure somebody into bed," says Stephen Viscusi, the author of Bulletproof Your Job. Your boss needs to think of you as more than just another employee on the payroll.

The task: chat-up your boss over lunch or short breaks, and cultivate a joint interest in something unrelated to work, says Viscusi. Then set up a Google Alert for that topic and you'll become a reliable source of information for him.

2. CHECK YOUR EMOTIONS

"A lot of layoff decisions are based on relationships and perceptions of how you fit into the organisation," says Terry Del Percio, principal and founder of US consulting firm The Work Strategies Company. "If you're a constant contrarian or show frustration, you're not seen as contributing to the group, even though you may be."

The task: if you're stressed, disengage rather than appearing like a hothead. Excuse yourself to take a walk outside, or push back that appointment with your superior, says Del Percio. It's your job to be active and positive and to make valuable contributions.

3. TOOT YOUR HORN

Boasting is bad and can annoy everyone. But let's be real: your higher-ups should know how you sweated to close that last deal.

The task: tell them all about it - but modestly, says John Gibbons, senior research adviser at global workplace think tank The Conference Board. If a customer writes in to praise your work, pass that note along to your boss, but credit the entire department for the success. He'll judge for himself who's really to thank and will be impressed with your team mentality. At your annual review, quantify your achievements in terms of money you've saved, revenues you've delivered and customers you've retained. Numbers are the one thing everyone hears in a tough economy.

4. DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIO

The more skills you have, the more roles you can play. "It's easier to cut somebody who specialises in only one thing," says Gibbons. As you perform a wider variety of tasks in different sectors of your company, you increase the number of ways in which your employer values you.

The task: join teams whose projects affect multiple departments. Exposure to people beyond your work circle will broaden your understanding of the company and boost your visibility. And as budgets are slashed, your company will more than welcome your interest in picking up tasks outside your normal workload.

5. STAY WITH THE MAN WHO HIRED YOU

It's naïve to think performance alone decides who is let go during a recession, says Viscusi. "They have to lay someone off." So if you can stick with the boss who hired you, he's bound to remember why you stood out and how you'll continue to. That may save you.

The task: If your boss moves to another department, ask if you can follow him, advises Viscusi. If you can't stay in touch, take him to lunch monthly, let him know about your new achievements and pick up any projects that overlap with his new realm. That way, he's still involved in your work and can protect you - or at least put in a good word when the spreadsheets come out.