We're taught to keep a first-aid kit in our car's glove box and jugs of water in our cabinets in case of emergencies, but preparing for a job loss isn't something that's a given when thinking about disaster prevention. Unlike buying canned items in bulk, there isn't anything that we can pick up at the store when we're setting ourselves up for success after potential job loss.

Even the most realistic person may find themselves uncharacteristically optimistic when reviewing their work situation because getting fired is just not something any of us like to think about. Learn some job-loss preparation tips when you .

Here's a quick list of things you should do while you're still employed. Job loss can be overwhelming, so do yourself a favor by taking some steps to get a few necessary things in order before the ax drops.

• Keep an up-to-date résumé [1]. If you lose your job, you'll be ready to start applying for new ones immediately without skipping a beat.
• Consider creating a LinkedIn profile or joining another professional networking site that caters to your field.
• Reconnect with old colleagues. If you had great working relationships with colleagues from a past job but haven't had contact in a while, don't lose touch! Send an email, pick up the phone, meet for coffee, but don't let these valuable connections slip through your fingers just because you don't see them every day.
• Hold on to the business cards given to you at your friend's Friday night cocktail party. Networking is the best way to build a collection of valuable contacts.
• Build your emergency fund so you're not panicking when you realize that next paycheck won't be coming, after all.

Photo courtesy of NBC [2]