I'm listening to some talking heads right now, and one of the issues they're discussing is job loss.

So, how secure is your job?

I'm a sales rep for a large US manufacturer. My pay is pretty commensurate with my job performance; I put forth great effort to increase revenue and dealer growth. As a result, my employer is quite pleased having me onboard, and pays me a salary which proves that to me.

A former sales rep, who had been with the company for seven years, serviced a territory that was experiencing some financial difficulties. As a result, his dealers bought less of our product, and his numbers were down for the year. He was summarily dismissed and replaced. His replacement actually started at a higher salary, and is performing well. The territory is still hurting some, but the replacement brought a fresh set of eyes to the situation, and has been a bit more creative in terms of stock selections, financing, etc.

As long as I continue to do my job effectively, I'm confident in the belief that my job is secure. It's pretty evident, though, that business is business (which I understand), and non-performers will need to be dealt with.

Should that day ever come, I'm pretty sure I'm prepared for it. Investments have allowed me to be in a position to not have to work if it came to that although, at 46, I want to work. The job I have is one I absolutely love (I don't really consider it "work"), so I've no problem staying put.

So, how about you? Is your job secure? If it's not, and you were let go, what would you do?