A week or so ago, The New York Times ran a piece about how, due to a confluence of factors, the U.S. is facing an economic recovery that will leave millions of people unemployed.  This installment in a series entitled ‘The New Poor’ tells the story of Jean Eisen, a former saleswoman for a beauty supply equipment company, who has been unable to find work for over two years.

The article points out that job creation in the U.S. has been declining for decades, mostly due to the American focus on shareholder value which leads companies to continually reduce payroll to beef up profits.  This is a trend I noted in my book and one that, coupled with the deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression, calls for a different strategy of career management.

My heart goes out to Jean who at 57—an age when she should be happily contemplating retirement—is navigating the world of food stamps.  Before this downturn, she never struggled to find work.  Now she scans the listings; most require experience or software proficiency that she lacks.  Jean has found that having a great personality and presence is not enough to protect her from joblessness.

Hers is a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks they’re in a “safe” industry or “That couldn’t happen to me.”  The world of work has changed, and the ability to reinvent your career at any moment is the new—and only—form of job security.  Stories like Jean’s bring this truth into sharp relief: If you aren’t actively preparing yourself for career reinvention at all times, you are at risk.

Here’s what you can do to stay relevant and hire-able in the age of Reinvention:

1. Stay tuned into trends. Companies are being forced to continually reinvent their business models to stay viable, and anyone working must do the same.  Notice what is happening in the world around you and position yourself to move in the direction the market is heading.
2. Continually refresh your skill set. Scan job listings and pay attention to which skills are required.  Make sure you can demonstrate proficiency in the most commonly requested ones as well as any specialized skills that will give you an edge.
3. Put in the time. Don’t wait till you’re out of work to launch a reinvention plan.  Have an ongoing strategy to develop and position yourself for your next position.
4. Be prepared for it to take a while. Don’t expect to land a new position within three to six months; today, a year or more is not uncommon.  Know your Plan B—what you’ll do to bring in extra cash—in the event of an extended period of unemployment.

For a step-by-step manual for creating your own reinvention strategy, check out my new book The 10 Laws of Career Reinvention: Essential Survival Skills for Any Economy.