In the middle of a recession, the average worker is probably more focused on doing whatever's necessary to stay employed. Not showing up late, getting all your work done, bringing new ideas to the table and not making any major errors. Basically, not giving your boss a reason to fire you.

As good as those strategies are, they don't take into account the one person whose opinion really counts: the boss.

See, being a good employee is an important part of avoiding layoffs, not just in a recession, but all the time. Plenty of other workers and job seekers can replace you if you're just doing the bare minimum. Not everyone can be your substitute if the boss has come to rely on you to be a part of his or her success.

Of course, you're probably thinking: Shouldn't I be more concerned with making myself look good?

You and the boss are the same ... kinda
You're not the boss, but you are a reflection of your boss, and it behooves you both to project a positive image, says Elizabeth Freedman, author of "101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace Without Hanging Yourself."

"It's like the old Vidal Sassoon commercial -- if you don't look good, your boss doesn't look good," she says. And that idea extends beyond having your shirt tucked in and your pants ironed. "Make sure anything that represents the team -- whether it's an e-mail or a voicemail coming from you -- also reflects you and the boss in a professional, polished way."

Sometimes you know how to project the right image. Walking into a meeting with the high-level bosses and giving everyone a high five probably isn't the way to score points with anyone. But on other matters, find out what the boss wants. Better to ask now and make a good impression later than to mess up and earn an unfavorable reputation.

"You're the sidekick," Freedman reminds, "so delivering good work is really the best thing you can do for [him or her], and therefore, for you. What does it take to deliver good work? Or excellent work? Ask the boss! Try, 'What can I do to improve this?' or 'Is there anything I can do to take some work off your plate?' for starters."

Making the boss work for you
Improving the boss' image isn't just about making his or her life easier and earning pats on the back. The whole process involves better communication between both of you. Right now, at the beginning of this process, it might occur through the direct questions that Freedman suggests, but eventually it can become an understanding if you build the relationship. Dr. Rachelle J. Canter, author of "Make the Right Career Move," suggests employees become invaluable to the boss so that you're the default go-to person.

"Anticipate needs," Canter says. "The difference between good employees and great employees is that the latter don't just comply with requests well, they anticipate needs of their bosses and deliver above and beyond what the boss expects."

To get to that point, you need to be direct, and that means being prepared to ask the right questions.

"When you do something, check in with the boss to ensure that you really helped him or her out -- don't assume you did," Canter recommends.

You and the boss are not the same
At the end of the day, however, your boss is the boss and you are the employee. That doesn't just mean you take orders; it means you're an individual worker being judged on your own merits. All of the above tips can help your career, but Dr. Paul R. Damiano doesn't want employees to lose perspective, either. Damiano, an organizational psychologist for Good Works Consulting, stresses the importance of focusing on your own path before taking on additional responsibilities.

"It may be counterintuitive, but if you really want to help your own career and boost your boss' reputation, the best thing you can do is to boost your own reputation first," he says. "Your boss is ultimately judged not by [his or her] individual performance, but how well [his or her] people perform. Being the most effective employee you can be is therefore the best way to help make your boss look good."

Effective might mean anticipating the needs of others, as Canter recommends, or it might mean fulfilling your job description in the fullest way possible. Perhaps in a way no one else has before. You don't have to necessarily pick up someone else's job duties; you can redefine what it is that you do.

All that said, Damiano stresses that self preservation matters because you can only control your own actions, not your boss'. A boss who will take credit for your work will do it regardless of anything you do, he says. Looking out for your boss doesn't mean you have to lose focus of your interests. After all, you can't make anyone else look good if you can't even do your own job well.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

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Success Stories: I Changed Careers
Today's economy has compelled job seekers to do some crazy things: standing on street corners wearing billboards advertising their unemployment, sending gifts to hiring managers, applying down for entry-level positions, or even switching careers entirely.

But you know what's really crazy? None of those things are that crazy at all. In fact, each of those things is a pretty smart move -- especially the latter.

What to Do When You're Labeled 'Overqualified'
Sherry Shealy Martschink, 57, is a former state legislator, state senator and worker's compensation commissioner for South Carolina. She's a recent law school graduate and has experience in journalism, marketing and education. For the past few years during her job search, she's been told -- in not so many words -- that she's overqualified.

Why You Should Make Your Boss Look Good
In the middle of a recession, the average worker is probably more focused on doing whatever's necessary to stay employed. Not showing up late, getting all your work done, bringing new ideas to the table and not making any major errors. Basically, not giving your boss a reason to fire you.

As good as those strategies are, they don't take into account the one person whose opinion really counts: the boss.

Do You Have What It Takes to Change Industries?
While making a change across industries can be difficult and sometimes daunting, job seekers are forced to look for work elsewhere as more and more sectors lose jobs each month.

Coping with a Job You Hate
Here's the bottom line: You have to get a job, you have to go to work and someday, you'll probably have to change jobs. "CAREER BUILDING: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work" (Collins Business) is a one-stop guide for navigating all those times in your career.

Are You Stuck in Job Prison?
10 ways to live with a job you can't escape

Emerging Career Fields
Keeping your eye on trends is a smart career management practice. New technology, business practices, laws or changes in the global economy create needs for new or evolving occupations and career specialties.

How to Make a Comeback in the Work Force
Though many workers want to make a transition back to the work force for various reasons, many don't know exactly how to do it.

The Full-Time Job of Finding a Job
Today's job hunt is a combination of old-fashioned footwork, online brand building and reaching out to the right people, as Debbie Withers has learned.

Advice for Workers of Every Age, at Every Stage
Your career isn't exactly like having a significant other, but some of the same rules apply. Coasting through your professional life without asking any questions of yourself or taking into account your ambitions can limit what you achieve.

7 Recession-Resistant Industries in an Economic Downturn
Going into 2009, what seven industries will likely see sustained, or even increasing, demand?

5 Factors to Consider Before Relocating
In an ideal job market, you would find the job of your dreams right under your nose. You'd have a hefty paycheck, great benefits, flexibility and you'd wake up every day loving the work you do. The reality is even after all of your efforts, the jobs you find may fall short of meeting all of the criteria to be the right opportunity for you.

People in such situations may never come across their dream job because they've limited themselves in the job market. They've narrowed their search to local job openings and have no idea that their dream job is actually in another city or state. Many people, however, would be willing to pursue those opportunities if they were aware of them.

4 Steps to Getting Started in a New Career
Every month we receive a variety of questions from people asking us how to get started in their dream career. We don't normally respond to "How do I get started in ..." questions because we don't think we can provide a complete answer in only a few sentences. However, we can provide the following basic four-step overview of the process for getting started in a new career:

Is Your Job Recession-Proof?
Though it's difficult to predict exactly how the year will pan out, weak job growth, a slowing economy and troubled housing markets all point to signs of an economic recession. The good news for job seekers is that employers are still hiring and certain industries will survive (even thrive) during hard times.

4 Smart Moves When the Economy Slows
What are some ways to take control of your career when the economic outlook is weakening or uncertain?

Job Searching in a Recession
If you are getting ready for a job search during troubled times, here are some tips from the experts.

Can Your Favorite Color Determine Your Perfect Job?
Do you ever wish finding the perfect job could be as easy as 1, 2, 3? According to new research, it might be as easy as red, yellow or blue.



Top 5 Things to Consider When Looking for a New Job
Few people are exactly alike when determining what makes them happy at work, but there are some key drivers of job satisfaction. The following article helps you identify those factors and provides you with direction in making the decision to change careers.

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