Avoid Layoffs 2025: 6 Insider Strategies to Protect Your Job

As you might have heard, so far in 2025, over 50,000 tech workers have lost their jobs, and other industries are feeling it too. It’s scary, but there are things you can do to  protect your job during a recession and make yourself indispensable at work.

I’m a career coach with more than 35 years of experience as an HR executive. I have helped people keep their jobs, even in tough times, and in this article I will share with you what you can do to protect your job.

What Does Not Work?

Keeping in mind the job environment, staying passive until you see the signs of impending layoffs will not help you survive them. Nor will the usual advice of “update your resume” or “upskilling in advance” be good enough. You need to be proactive, and after working with hundreds of professionals and seeing how companies make layoff decisions, I can tell you how you need to prepare. 

Below I am sharing six insider strategies that will help you create a layoff-proof job and learn how to be irreplaceable at work. They’re easy to understand, and you can start them today, no matter your role or company. 

Later, I will also share a Layoff Risk Calculator for you to figure out where you stand in terms of your risk of getting fired. Interested? Let’s dive into your career protection strategies!

Job Security Strategies to Avoid Layoffs

How Can You Use AI Skills to Avoid Layoffs?

Strategy 1: Use AI to Boost Your Work

AI is a tool anyone can use to work smarter. By using AI to do tasks faster or better, you can show your boss you’re valuable. Think of AI as a helper that saves time on boring stuff so you can shine on the important things.

For example, AI tools like ChatGPT can draft emails or reports in minutes. Gamma can help you make presentations quickly. Tools like Power BI or Tableau turn data into charts that impress everyone. And Zapier can automate repetitive tasks, like moving info between apps.

When you use AI, you get more done, you boost your workplace value, and your boss notices. They’ll think, “This person is too good to let go!”

I recently coached a customer service rep named Sarah to use ChatGPT to write faster responses to clients. She cut her response time in half and got praise from her manager. When layoffs came, Sarah’s job was safe because she was so efficient.

Here’s how to start:

1. Find one task you do a lot, like writing emails or organizing data.
2. Pick an AI tool that helps, like ChatGPT for writing or Zapier for automation.
3. Watch a short YouTube tutorial to learn how to use it.
4. Try it on one task and show your boss the results, like a faster report.

Who Can Help You Survive Corporate Restructuring?

Strategy 2: Build a Team of Supporters

Having people at work who know you’re awesome can save your job. These are your supporters—your boss, coworkers, or even people from other teams. When layoffs happen, they can say, “We need this person!”

I’ve seen layoffs decided in meetings where only a few voices matter. If you have supporters in those rooms, you’re much safer. Plus, making these connections makes work more fun.

To build this team of supporters, do your job well and share your wins. Email your manager about a project you finished or mention it in a meeting. Join projects that let you work with new people, and go to company events to meet others.

For example, a marketer named Alex helped a sales team with a big presentation. When layoffs hit, the sales manager spoke up for Alex, saying they were too valuable to lose. That is how Alex survived the company layoffs.

Here’s what to do:

1. List three people who could support you, like your boss or a key coworker.
2. Share one win with them every month, like a task you completed.
3. Volunteer for a project that involves other teams.
4. Attend one company event or meeting each month to meet new people.

What Skill Makes You Hard to Replace?

Strategy 3: Become an Expert in Something Your Company Needs

Every company has big goals, like using AI or becoming more competitive. If you become the go-to person for one of those goals, you’re harder to replace. This is about being an expert in something your company really cares about.

To find the right area, listen to what your company talks about. Check their website, read the company newsletters, read their emails announcing new plans and initiatives, or ask your boss what’s important. Then, learn all you can about it through online courses on Udemy, Coursera or videos on YouTube.

Share what you learn with your team. Write a short post for your company’s internal site or give a quick talk. This shows you’re a leader in that area.

I coached a finance worker named Jamie who saw their company focusing on green practices. Jamie studied eco-friendly finance and shared tips to save money. When layoffs came, Jamie’s job was safe because they were the green expert.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Find out what your company cares about most, like AI or sustainability.
2. Pick one area and spend 1-2 hours a week learning about it.
3. Share your knowledge with your team, like in a meeting or email.
4. Offer to help coworkers with that topic to show you’re the expert.

How Can You Grow to Prevent Being Laid Off?

Strategy 4: Make a Plan to Grow and Help Your Company

A growth plan is like a map for getting better at your job. But this plan also helps your company reach its goals. When you show you’re growing in ways that matter to your company, they’ll want to keep you.

Start by learning what your company’s goals are. Look at their mission statement or ask your manager what they’re focusing on. Then, set goals for yourself that help those plans, like learning a new tool or leading a small project.

Write down your goals and share them with your manager. They might even give you training or support to make it happen.

I once helped a young Procurement Manager named Jason, whose company was big on saving cost. Jason learned specifics of how to effectively negotiate with vendors to get the best deals and led a project to save costs using those techniques. When layoffs happened, their work helped prevent being laid off because they were helping the company’s big plans.

Here’s what to do:

1. Find out your company’s top goals for the year.
2. Write down one or two ways you can help, like learning a skill.
3. Set a timeline, like three months, to finish your goal.
4. Share your plan with your manager and ask for their input.

What Extra Work Can Help You Survive Company Layoffs?

Strategy 5: Volunteer for Important Tasks

Doing more than what’s asked shows you can take initiative and are a team player. By volunteering for extra tasks, you prove you’re reliable and ready to help. This makes your boss see you as someone they need to keep because they can count on you.

Look for tasks that matter to your team, like a project that’s behind or a problem everyone’s talking about. Offer to help with something specific, like organizing data or writing a report. Just make sure you can still do your regular job well.

I worked with a customer service rep named Mia who saw her team struggling during a busy time. She offered to take extra calls and train a new hire. When layoffs came, her manager remembered her effort and kept her on.

Here’s how to start:

1. Look for a task your team needs help with, like a busy project.
2. Offer to take on one small job, like helping with a presentation.
3. Do it well and tell your manager what you did.
4. Keep helping when you can, but don’t take on too much.

How Can You Help Other Teams?

Strategy 6: Work with Other Departments

Helping other teams shows you care about the whole company, not just your own work. It also helps you meet new people who might speak up for you during layoffs. Plus, you learn new skills that make you more valuable.

Find out what other teams are working on by reading company updates or asking around. Look for a project where you can add something, like fixing a process or sharing your skills. Get your manager’s okay, then offer your help.

Some companies have a process to post internal jobs or assignments and encourage employees to apply. Be on the lookout for those opportunities or even short assignments that require additional hands or expertise from other functions for projects to be successful.

I knew a graphic designer Chris, who helped the sales team make better visuals for their pitches. The sales team loved it, and when layoffs hit, they said they needed Chris’s skills. Chris kept their job.

Here’s what to do:

1. Pick one or two teams you’d like to help.
2. Find out what projects they’re working on.
3. Ask your manager if you can offer your help.
4. Reach out to the team with a specific idea, like helping with a task.

What’s the Best Way to Start?

You don’t need to use all six strategies at once. Pick one or two that feel right for you. If you like tech, start with AI. If you’re good with people, build your supporters. The key is to take small steps and keep going.

Before taking any of the steps, it might help you to figure out your “Layoff Risk Quotient” using the following calculator. 

As a Career coach, I’ve helped hundreds of people stay safe during layoffs, and I know these career protection strategies work. They’re not just ideas—they’re real ways to show your company you’re too valuable to lose and make your job recession-proof. Start with one step today, and you’ll feel more in control of your job.

What will you try first? Let me know how it goes—I’m rooting for you!

If you have already lost your job to a layoff and are struggling to find another one, read this article for some unique insider tips to find one.

Every situation is different and may require a customized strategy. Feel free to reach out to me for a free consultation on how I can help you with your unique situation.