If your employer is struggling financially, it's a safe bet staff cutbacks aren't far behind, Rolie says.
Layoffs are especially likely when employers' costs are heavily weighted toward human resources, because that's where they have room to cut costs.
"Employers have significantly different amounts of their total expense that are comprised of labor costs," says Steve Kane, managing director of HumanResourcesExpert.com and retired human resources executive. "If 70 percent or 80 percent of their costs are related to staffing and things aren't going too well, they don't have a lot of choice."
How to fight back: Acquiring a diverse set of skills and performing a variety of different roles at your company can keep the target off your back when it's time to make cutbacks, Rolie says.
"If it's between two equally qualified employees, it comes down to who's more likable and getting along with others or doing some of those extra chores, duties or technological components that others don't want to do," Rolie says. "Look for ways to strategically snatch up a couple of niches that you enjoy and are good at."