Whether it is short, medium or long-term goals, flexibility is the key in this economic climate. You can do this without compromising your fundamental goals and dreams.

If your strategy is to upskill and seek a role in the UK or Asia in late 2009, you may need to push this timing back to factor in the slower market conditions, the fewer opportunities that are available, and the longer time it may take to secure a role overseas.

Keeping an open mind regarding your desired location is important. If you have always wanted to relocate to London to gain international exposure, you may be better off exploring opportunities in other key location(s) that might be faring better than the UK.

Keep informed and up to date on developments in the wider economic market and your employment sphere through the press, online resources, and a recruitment consultant, if you are using one. This places you in a stronger position to act quickly when a role you are interested in becomes available. Be opportunistic.

Following on from this, keep your resume up to date and have it ready for action. In a busy market, there is never enough time to do this, so take full advantage of the quieter times. This is a client-led market which means that you are competing in a wider candidate pool. When a genuine opportunity of interest arises, time is of the essence. A recruitment consultant can give you advice on resume drafting.

Do not resort to a scatter-gun approach to applying for positions because this will only harm you. Firms maintain an excellent record of each resume submitted to them, and once you have been rejected, this will be on your record and may influence your chances in re-applying down the track.

Finally, be patient and persevere - the market will improve. It is only a matter of time.

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Mimi Fong is the managing director of Amicas Global