If you’ve just left your boss’s office with the dire news that your position is being eliminated, stay as calm as possible, at least outwardly, advises Anne Fisher in her January 27 Ask Annie column. Doing so could help you negotiate a bigger severance package, she writes.

If you’ve been laid off, what kind of severance did you get? Did you feel it was fair? Did you try to negotiate the terms? What did you want, and did you get it? Any suggestions for others who want to pursue a better deal in a layoff?

When stepping into a new, challenging leadership position, spend your first 30 days listening, and studying the company and the challenges it faces, says Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Jan. 20 Ask Annie column. Have you ever had to step into a new job and correct a disastrous situation? What worked (or didn’t) for you? Your bosses? How have you coped with low morale among coworkers? How can you keep both employees and higher-ups happy?

This is an exceptionally lousy time to be looking for a job, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Jan. 15 Ask Annie column. But if you’re a professional or manager, there may well be a job opening out there with your name on it. Are there pockets of opportunity, in your city or your industry, where companies are still hiring? Have you recently gotten a new job despite the tough overall job market? If so, do you have any suggestions for job hunters?

It seems that when it comes to jobs, 2009 is going to be a lot like 2008, only worse, writes Fortune’s Anne Fisher in her Jan. 7 Ask Annie column. Feeling stressed out now is totally normal. The trouble is that letting an out-of-control environment get under your skin will eventually make you less great at your job, hence more likely to lose it.

Are you stressed by the economic chaos? How are you coping? Any suggestions for staying cool when the going gets rough? What survival tips do you have?