If the goal posts have moved, then you have to change the way you play the game – quickly. This is strikingly relevant to the current economic and employment landscape in Minnesota. Whether you’re an employee considering change, or an employer wondering what’s coming next, the rules for playing the game and navigating change in 2009 are the same.

Get Some Perspective, Take a Breath. The facts seem grim. As a nation we lost over three million jobs in 2008 and employers will likely shed more throughout at least the first two quarters of 2009. Statisticians are calling this the worst recession since the Great Depression, and government stimulus measures will take time to turn the situation around.

That said, take heart. In recent decades, recessions have lasted 16 months or less, and we’re already close to that. Riding out downturns in the employment market is all about keeping a long-term perspective while working short-term strategies to unearth new career options.

Set Realistic Expectations. Making any kind of business change during less certain market conditions is going to create the urge to jump in with both feet. Land the deal before it goes away, snatch up an employee before someone else does. But when the future is more unstable, it’s critical to take the time to do due diligence, to make smart, intelligence-informed choices, and not to rush into a position that won’t work well in the long term. Whether you’re a company struggling to hire or an individual working on your next move, take time to think things through and do thorough research. In the long run it’s going to pay off better than a quick paycheck.

Build a Network. More than 80 percent of jobs or job candidates reach you through people you know or your professional network of contacts. It’s crucial to build a robust online presence through LinkedIn, ZoomInfo and other professional and social networking channels. Their automatic email notifications can alert you to opportunities. It’s also just as important to build a live network: reconnect with former colleagues and professional contacts and let them know you’re looking for a move, or seeking a new candidate if you’re a company that is hiring.

Scale Down. In tougher times, larger companies are going to downsize to stay profitable while smaller businesses need to be more creative. They run lean, stay nimble, and are usually great engines of innovation in poor economic climates. The people they hire have to count. Given this and the fact that the new administration looks set to delay any tax increases on smaller businesses, these kinds of companies should definitely be a target for anyone considering or needing a move in 2009.

Consider Hired Help. Finally, know when a little help would work well. You don’t walk into a tough courtroom without a lawyer who knows the law and it’s the same in a challenging employment market. Enlisting the help of a professional executive search consultant will open a lot of doors more quickly.