With job anxiety at an all-time high, employees everywhere are trying to get an edge in the workplace. National unemployment rates have surged from 4.9% to 9.5% in the last 18 months, while women's unemployment has climbed slower, reaching 7.6% in June. Women, in fact, may prove to be better positioned to persevere through this downturn--that is, with a few smart tricks up their sleeves. Career experts weigh in on how you can keep your job amid economic crisis.

Locate the landmines

The first step in protecting your job may be to locate the land mines. Sasha Galbraith, Ph.D., a partner of Galbraith Management Consultants in Breckenridge, Colo., who advises women executives, warns that in times of stress women's greatest career asset might turn into their biggest weakness. Women's strength in communication, she says, can be perceived negatively if they are overly communicative about their fears. "Moderate the amount of anxiety you show outwardly," Galbraith suggests, or else co-workers may perceive you as unable to handle the pressure.

Mind your temper

You'd be wise to contain your temper too. Kathleen Weslock, senior vice president of human resources at Sungard, the IT services giant in Wayne, Pa., says she's seen women's tempers flare more than ever before. According to a 2008 study from Yale and Northwestern universities, women who lose their cool are perceived as less powerful and less competent than calmer co-workers. Showing anger at the office, she says, is a sure way to appear unbalanced and out of control.

Raise your hand

The good news? Author of What Men Don't Tell Women About Business Christopher Flett says that one of the best ways to secure your job is take on additional work--strategically. Be initiative, but "don't say yes to everything," he advises. Instead, seek out priority projects that are important to your bosses or give you additional skills.

Stay current

Elaine Varelas, managing partner at Keystone Partners, a career management firm in Boston, Mass., agrees. She keeps up with new technology so she doesn't seem like a "dinosaur." She also feels that being well versed in current events and industry news is critical to engagement, so she reads the business section daily and trade publications weekly. Her best advice to women workers: Do great work. "The more your boss can rely on you for great work, the more indispensable you become," Varelas says.

Spread the good news

Harvard researcher and lecturer Shawn Achor believes the key to strengthening your position rests in how you think about it. Negativity can drag you down, he says, reducing your performance and productivity. Achor's research suggests that 75% of job success results from optimism, stress management and perseverance.

Take risks

To secure your job, or even advance it, now is the time to take risks. "As much as it may be scary," says success story Todd, "don't wait for the economy to improve."