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There are several things that you can do to prepare if you suspect there may be a layoff where you work. Many of these suggestions are good ideas to keep in mind even if you feel your job is secure, because they can only benefit you. (And besides, there is no such thing as a truly “secure” job.)

First, cut back your spending and bolster savings. Typical areas where people can easily scale back or eliminate spending include: cable TV, internet, home phone lines, cell phone plans, eating out, packaged meals at the grocery store, cleaning supplies, entertainment, and subscriptions. The more you’re able to do this now, the less of a blow being laid off will be if it occurs. You’ll also have a cushion available that can help tide you over.

Polish up your resume and begin the job search. If you suspect a layoff, there’s no reason to wait until it actually happens to begin hunting for a new job. Post your resume on sites like monster and jobbing.com, and sign up for networking sites like linkedin. Get back in touch with old contacts, and let them know that you’re interested in new opportunities. (It’s always fun to get back in touch with people anyway, so this can’t hurt.) Sign up for email lists in your field, especially lists where jobs are frequently posted. If you belong to a career-related organization, be sure you’re attending meetings regularly. Make sure that your references are still willing to be references, and that the contact information you have for them is still correct.

Look into independent health insurance costs. Get pricing on catastrophic insurance, at the very least, and find out if there are any restrictions you should be aware of (such as ideal weight ranges, being a smoker, etc.) Work on getting healthier so that you will be a better candidate for individual coverage. Consider joining organizations that offer group insurance to their members. If you’re in the United States, get pricing and information on COBRA insurance as well so that you can be prepared for that potential cost. (COBRA is expensive, but it’s less expensive than going without insurance and having something terrible happen. You do not want to let your insurance lapse, especially if you are older or might not otherwise be insurable.)

Research unemployment information. Find out the requirements for filing, and what you can expect to receive if you are laid off. If you think you might receive a severance package, find out how much of that you’ll need to set aside for taxes. Try to think of ways you might negotiate severance to your benefit as well. (Remember that those things are rarely set in stone, even if they come in the form of an intimidating letter.)

Become a star at work. Make every effort to really stand out in a positive way at work. Volunteer for projects, arrive for work early, and be friendly with your boss. Talk positively about your work, your company, and your co-workers. Don’t be a complainer. If you do things that contribute directly to the bottom line, make sure that your boss is aware of it. The higher your perceived value, the higher your chances are of holding out til the bitter end.

Finally, try not to stress. All you can do is your best. If you’ve done your best and prepared, there’s no point in worrying further. Take care of the things you can do something about, and let the rest go. To get your mind off worrying, think about ways you could use a layoff to your advantage. Maybe it would give you the impetus you need to start a business, go back to school, change careers, or freelance.