Dazzle your employer with quick relevant answers.Climbing the Ladder in Tough Economic Times

Let's face it: We're all anxious about what's ahead for our jobs in these tough economic times.

While we can't control what generally happens on Wall Street or Main Street, we can take responsibility for our own actions and increase the likelihood of surviving layoffs and getting ahead. Here are three good approaches:

Start with your attitude. Employers want workers to be cheerful and cooperative, to be honest about their abilities, to care about their work and to show a "can-do" approach to tough tasks. Without these interpersonal skills, you're doomed before you start, no matter how capable you might be at the job itself.

Find out your company's business strategy by reading its press releases and determine how you fit into top-level plans. If the plan would require you to get more training, go out and get it.

Next, manage your own personal public relations campaign. For instance, if your supervisor's boss asks you how things are going, don't just say "Fine." Respond with a specific report which piques his or her interest. With a strong comment, you've shown the top boss that 1) you're a hard worker and a team player; 2) you're in the know by referring to a specific project; and 3) you're focused on the company's best interests. More than likely, the top boss will immediately ask you for more details, so be sure you're primed to give them.

Negotiate with your manager to take on bigger or tougher assignments. Come to the meeting prepared with a list. In one column list your job responsibilities. Then in the second column list your job accomplishments. Be sure to make the point that you've been willing to take on extra work and help where it's needed. You may be anxious about taking on bigger or tougher projects, and that's a good thing. It's always possible you'll fail at a new task, but taking a calculated risk on a tough assignment can give you the job recognition that will help you keep your position during tough times. Moreover, a more important assignment will give you access to high-level meetings, customers, trainings and resources that you wouldn't be privy to in completing mundane assignments.

Finally, stand out from the crowd. The time is long gone when you could get ahead by not making waves. Offer the higher-ups your ideas on how to make money or cut costs, and then deliver. You'll find yourself not only layoff-proof, you'll be movin' on up in no time.