As 2008 came to a close, journalists were hit hard by the world economic crisis, including some of you who told IJNet in December how the crisis is affecting you and other journalists in your regions. According to forecasters, the outlook for 2009 remains grim. While experienced reporters are being laid off, journalists entering the profession face an ever-tightening job market.

According to Judy Stark of Poynter Online, who took early retirement in August 2008 after 22 years at Poynter's St. Petersburg (Florida) Times, "the layoffs, buyouts and general downsizing in journalism last year weren't the last."

With the help of fellow colleagues who too lost their jobs last year, Stark has put together a two-part Journalist's Survival Toolkit, available online for free. The guide explores what to do both before and after "the ax falls."

Access the guide now, by clicking here.