If a manager is looking to let you go, they'll want to perform some legal due diligence, including reviewing key documents related to your work, such as important documents you've produced, application materials or your employment agreement.
Employers who aren't great at holding onto paperwork may end up having to ask you for one or more of these documents. If they do, that's a red flag, Kane says.
How to fight back: By the time an employer is legally vetting your dismissal, your job is probably as good as lost. Rolie says if you're fairly sure your days at a particular job are numbered, working on your resume and reaching out to contacts at other companies to see who's hiring before you're let go can help you get your next job.
"Prepare for your job search early," says Rolie. "The average job seeker takes at least four months once you've got your resume, your cover letter and references document done. It's going to take at least three and sometimes seven interviews."