As large companies, including the Los Angeles Times, Google, Amazon, Macy’s and  Paramount, have recently announced job cuts, 2024 could be the “Year of the Layoffs,” an adviser who helps clients navigate layoffs wrote on cnbc.com.

“I have some advice for you: Act now,” wrote Winnie Sun, co-founder and managing director of Sun Group Wealth Partners. “If you suspect layoffs are looming at your company, there are several things you should be doing to soften the blow and ease your transition to a new job before the pink slip comes.”

The first step she suggested is to build an emergency fund and tighten up one's budget. “You should have at least enough money in your emergency fund to cover six months of living expenses,” she wrote. “Review your budget (or create one) to get a handle on your finances and assess medical needs and job skills.”

The second step is to get ready for a job hunt. Sun advised workers to update their résumés, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles.

Speaking of LinkedIn, Sun’s third suggestion for workers worried about impending layoffs is to customize their LinkedIn preferences. She said that they should advise the public that they're available for work by setting up the #OpenToWork feature. That feature allows their profiles to become more visible in search results, making it easier for recruiters to find them.

She also noted that LinkedIn members can control who can see their job-seeking status by setting who can see their #OpenToWork frame.

For her fourth recommendation, Sun advised workers to network and connect. Start with LinkedIn, she wrote, by checking out its global professional network, job and internship search, Networking Hub and skill development features.

“Networking is something you should do regardless of your job status so it’s a good way to build connections without looking like you are job hunting,” she wrote.

Sun's fifth suggested step, getting references in order, “can be tricky if you haven’t lost your job and aren’t sure you want to move on,” she wrote. “But it’s good to have some references lined up so you don’t have to scramble if the pink slip arrives.” She advised that workers get a strong reference in writing and posting it publicly on their LinkedIn profiles.

Adding to one's skill set is Sun's sixth recommendation. “Researching job skills and adding to your skill set can boost your career, regardless of whether you get laid off or not,” she wrote. “Reviewing job descriptions in your field can tell you whether you need to learn new skills.”

There are numerous ways in which workers can obtain certifications or courses to add to their résumés, which could make them more marketable or promotable, Sun wrote.

A local community college’s offerings, LinkedIn Learning or other online course libraries offer such opportunities, she noted. So do several technology companies, including Microsoft and Google. Coursera offers many free and paid programs.