Rethink your job-search strategy after 3 months without a bite

A series of layoffs in Alberta's energy sector means there's some stiff competition for jobs in the province.

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To helpyou get that job, the Calgary Eyeopener enlisted the help of Richard Bucher, a career coach with Right Management.

Bucher says if you've been job searching for three months with no offers, it's time to rethink your strategy.

But that three-month timeframe doesn't start the day after you get laid off.

"The clock really doesn't start ticking until you're ready to launch your search," saidBucher.

Many of Bucher's clients take one to six months offafter they lose their jobs, he noted, because they've been in their job for a long time and haven't had more than two weeks off since high school.

"Practically speaking, you've taken a sabbatical," said Bucher, "don't advertise that you've taken a lot of time off."

So how do you reboot a job search that's lagging?

Calgary Eyeopener6:53Get a job: Crafting the perfect CV

In our new "Get a Job" column, career coach Richard Bucher offers advice for crafting the perfect resume.

1. Don't panic

If a job searchdrags on too long, self-doubt can set in, says Bucher.

"The fear is, when is this going to be over, am I going to land a job, when am I going to land a job, are there any jobs out there?"

2. Expand your target list

You might start with a list of 20 target companies you'd like to work for,but if you've exhausted those possibilities, expand it to include thecompanies your target companies work with.

Your expanded target list might include as many as 100 companies.

3. Have a Plan B

Bucheradvises job seekers to look at ways to make a living from something outside their past work history.

As an example, hementioned an engineer client passionate about the outdoors who is working on becoming a paid guide.

4. Consider working for yourself

Going into business for yourself can be a good idea during a work transition, saidBucher.

He points out the tax advantages to starting a sole proprietorship early in your transition.

"Itallows you to expense some of the costs you're incurring in your transitioncoffees, lunches, mileage, computers, things of that nature."

Bucher noted that calling yourself a consultant is a good way to navigate a job transition and frame yourwork history withprospective employers.

"As a consultant, I'm looking for work, I'm working on a project, or I'm doing both," he said.

"Regardless, I'm employed. Soif I've been in my campaignfor sixmonths, and I still haven't landed a job, then what I might put [on the resume] is Executive Coach, 2016 to present, and that is my current role."

5. Stay positive

Bucher says it's not all gloom and doom on Calgary's job market.

He hosts networking events regularly, and at the most recent one there were about 20 people.

Of those, nine had had recent job interviews, eight of those came from the job seekers' networks, and two had written job offers pending.

"People are landing jobs, people are landing contracts," said Bucher, "and there's more of that every week."