FOUR CAREER MOVES TO MAKE NOW

Worried about a recession? These steps to protect your job prospects will help you professionally whether a downturn develops or not.

- BY DIANE HARRIS

AS Labor Day approaches, U.S. workers don't seem to be in a celebratory mood, with rumblings about a possible economic downturn raising anxiety that layoffs will rise.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans recently polled by Lending Tree think a recession is coming. And 41% expect unemployment to increase over the next year, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York-a seven percentage point jump since January. Two in five workers are personally worried about losing their job in the next 12 months, a 2025 study by the American Psychological Association found.

Are they right to be concerned? Although private-sector hiring hit a two-year low this spring, unemploy ment has been holding steady at just over 4%. And many forecasters have moderated earlier ominous projections about the economy, with Wall Street firms such as Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan recently lowering their estimated risk of recession this year to 30% to 40%, from as high as 60% in April.

Still, history shows the job market is typically a lagging indicator, turning sour only after other parts of the economy have tumbled. And career experts note that conditions differ from industry to industrylayoffs have already been rising in the technology, finance and retail sectors-and the steps you take to strengthen your job prospects today will hold you in good stead no matter what happens to the economy.

"It's smart to prep while the sun is still shining," says Nancy Ancowitz, a career strategist in New York City. "Think of it as career insurance."

Job experts suggest that you make these moves now.