Despite the slumping economy — and oil trading around $45 a barrel — a Calgary headhunter says it's not all doom and gloom for people looking for jobs.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) says that 35,000 oilpatch jobs have been cut this year — 25,000 from the oil services sector and 10,000 from exploration and production.

Despite that, Jay Edwards, with the recruiting firm David Aplin Group, says employers are still working for people in the construction industry, especially in the Edmonton area.

"We're still seeing pretty good activity there," he said, adding "we're still going to see some opportunities in those areas."

The recruiter predicts some job seekers with computer skills and human resource or accounting backgrounds will likely have an easier time finding work.

Canada's economy expanded in June but declined by 0.1 per cent for the second quarter as a whole, meeting the bar of what is legally defined as a recession.

The monthly labour force survey shows that Alberta's job growth has been largely flat this year.

CAPP expects to see a further 25 per cent cut in capital spending for next year, as oilsands development in particular slows. Less spending means less work.

Edwards expects Alberta's job market to remain tight over the coming year.

He offers three tips for job seekers:

Stay active. Keep looking for work and sending out resumes. Highlight what makes you unique. Stress your tangible past accomplishments during job interviews.

"Recount some of your top success stories that really highlight your attributes," said Edwards.

"Be able to communicate those stories in a concise manner," he adds.