If you ever find yourself with the gut feeling that you are about to get fired, or if sources from the grapevine also point in this direction, there are a number of things you should do to tackle this problem.
Below are things you should do and should not do if you have a feeling you are about to get sacked:
• Play it cool: Remember that it is just a feeling and not an outright letter or email from management that you are about to be fired so play it cool
• Don’t give them a reason to fire you: In some cases, employees become paranoid when they see these signs and begin to act in ways that leave management with no other choice than to fire them. An example of this would be to suddenly delete all important files on the PC assigned to you and walking out of the office during working hours. This is not the path to tread. You should never give your employer a reason to fire you.
• Draw up an exit strategy: Whether it is a feeling or a colleague whispers to you that management is considering firing you, it is important to begin to work on an exit strategy. You have to start looking for another job while you are yet to be fired.
• Play the card of advantage: When searching for a job, you have the power of advantage when negotiating salary with your potential employer when you still have a job compared to if you no longer have a job. Therefore, ensure you start searching for a job early enough so that your job interviews would happen before you get fired.
• Don’t get desperate: One of the worst things you can do when you feel you are about to get fired is to let the desperation show to your potential employer when looking for another job. Avoid looking or sounding desperate to keep the cards in your favour
• Look and sound convincing: When you feel your job is on the line and you begin to attend interviews to get another job, you have to ensure that you sound convincing to your prospective employers else they might begin to think that you do not have actual plans to work for them and merely using them to negotiate for better remuneration where you currently work.
• Is it too late: In some cases, there is a chance of redeeming your image and rectifying the problem. If this is the case, it is important to reach out to your boss to clarify things. You should seek to know where you stand. However, in some cases, by the time to see the sign, it is an indication that it is already too late. Make an attempt to know how bad the situation is. Communication is key and truth is that sometimes, you can spin a challenge into an opportunity.
• Speak to your mentor: Mentors are called mentors for a good reason and this is one of the best times to speak to a mentor. He/she is bound to have crucial pointers and practical career advice for you. Things even get better if your mentor sees a need to recommend you for a new job.
• Hammer on achievements: There is a possibility that your boss might be unaware of the feats you have accomplished for the organisation. Now would be a great time to show off the amazing things you have done when given the chance.
• Shoot for perfection: When you notice things are taking a plunge, you should begin to put in 120% effort into your work and ensure your performance is as close to being flawless as possible. There are no guarantees that this will always work but it helps you cut down the guesses around what you could have done differently to save your job.
• Spend more time around the right people: Being at work does not always mean sitting at your desk and keeping to yourself and your work all day. Sometimes, it pays off to move around and interact with people a little more. Doing this would create avenues to get more information on the true situation of things as well as an opportunity to speak with your bosses and others who can give a clear voice on the direction management is looking in terms of whether you are about to get fired or not.
• Don’t hide: There isn’t a worse time to hide than the moment you fear you are about to get sacked. Hiding will prove counterproductive. Instead, offer more help to those in related departments and become more visible at work. Be eager to make more contributions.
• Keep your fears to yourself: If you are thinking of speaking with co-workers about your observations, fears and uncertainties, do yourself a favour and don’t go that route. It will come back to haunt you in ways that you would regret. Just keep your thoughts and fears to yourself.
• Look at the bigger picture: For many people, getting fired actually closes one door but then goes on to open many other doors. Reminiscing a few years from now, it might be the best thing that ever happened to your career.
• Don’t make hasty decisions: Some people consider signs of an impending sack as an opportunity to resign before they get sacked. However, the truth of the matter is that their fears might be unfounded and a few days into resigning, they already regret doing so. Try not to make any hasty decision.
• Don’t beg for your job: The most pathetic thing you can do as an employee who fears a sack is on the horizon is to go begging not to get fired. This makes you lose respect in the eyes of your employer and boss. It does not make you more desirable.
• Avoid becoming offensive: When you see signs that you might get fired, you do not want to confirm the fears people might already have about you by being excessively aggressive or acting in ways generally deemed not to be civilised. What you should focus on is attempting to win people over and not worsen the situation.
• Put your emotions under check: Becoming emotional over fears of losing your job will not yield positive result. Rather, you would only put yourself under emotional stress that will affect your productivity and ability to see things objectively. Never let the fear of a job loss ruin your ability to nurture positive thoughts.
• Don’t put an evil tag on your boss: In situations where people fear they might lose their jobs, they are often quick to label their bosses, colleagues and management as being evil. Such verdicts are born out of anger and fear of the unknown. Rather than spreading negative stories about your boss, you should endeavour to be diplomatic in your approach. Keep an open mind and find a way to approach your boss directly.
• Get specialised help: Now would be a good time to get help from professionals in the job market. A good example is PlacementPlus, a service that guarantees you job interviews by recommending you to hiring companies and proactively applying for jobs on your behalf. While you still have the cushion of your current job, you will be contacted when your CV matches a role that suits your experience.
• Be discreet: When the signs become overly glaring that your days as an employee are numbered, you should commence searching for a new job but strive to be discreet about it. Never let your current employer know that you are searching for a new job. This will not be appreciated. Focus on jobs that have the capacity to advance your career. During job interviews, be very observant and take note of reactions.

Culled from https://www./blog/14-signs-might-lose-job-next-6-months/