"You never know when opportunity might come knocking," Christensen said.

Christensen, who has taught at Cal State Northridge for 37 years, advised people to keep their job search skills honed. "In this more volatile economy, jobs can come and go. It pays to be prepared," he said.

He advised people to regularly study newspaper classifieds, company job announcements and internet job postings. He suggested paying particular attention to the key words and special business jargon that appear in these announcements while keeping in mind "how your resume matches with what a prospective employer ultimately wants."

Christensen said updating your resume is just the first step in ensuring job security.

"You should always have your feelers out, keeping aware of what is happening in your chosen field and what potential employers are looking for," he said. "Do you know someone who does not have a position, but an interest in your welfare? Have you decided to set up any networking (informational) interviews in the next few months to find out what is required to obtain a position you may ultimately want? Have you probed with your friends and acquaintances how they achieved their status and what would it take for you to reach that level? These are all questions you should be asking yourself."

He said investing in job-related seminars is never a bad idea, nor should one dismiss the opportunities for growth and personal development offered by government jobs.

He also suggested an updated cover letter. He said the second paragraph should reflect qualifications that are not readily apparent from reading your resume. It should open with a first paragraph that "hooks" your potential employer, such as a question, word-of-mouth comment or a reference to a company publication. Overall, it should contain key words and phrases that demonstrate your knowledge of the job you are applying for and have a continuity and clearness about it.

People should update their portfolios, or create one if they don't have one. The portfolio should include your accomplishments at work, such as awards, commendations, recommendations and achievements. "It is a brag folder of how much you have accomplished on the job," Christensen said.

Christensen said there is one thing to keep in mind when it comes time to updating that resume, cover letter and other documents, "Are you ready?"

"Just like we prepare for floods and earthquakes, you need to prepare for your next job opportunity," he said.