How To Start A Career In The Oil & Gas Industry
The oil and gas industry is quite large and there are many senior professionals that retire every year which ensures that there are always new openings for new people to enter this field. Even though these opportunities are quite exciting, there are also many difficulties that need to be faced.
Firstly, progressing is quite competitive so it is important to always remain knowledgeable and up to date with the latest trends and skills. This will help to improve your skill set and make you more efficient which will help you to have a successful career in oil and gas.
Even though there isn’t a set recipe to make you succeed, there are a couple of expert guidelines that can help you on your quest for a career in the oil and gas supply chain.
1. Always ensure that you are completely eligible for working in oilfields and that you have the basic requirements. This means being at least 18 years old, non-smoker, fit both mentally and physically. You should also be capable of abstaining from drinking alcohol for at least 14 to 21 days while you are on duty. You should also be able to have a flexible schedule where you can work at night, during weekends and many days without a break in between.
2. Attempt to get mechanical experience. The vast majority of workers in oil and gas will need to do mechanical type jobs. Therefore, it is important that you get experience even if you’re only an intern.
3. Be informed. In the event that you have family or friends that are senior professionals in this industry, you should try to get as much advice from them as possible. However, if you don’t know anyone in the field, then you can look for assistance online. There are many portals that you can access such as Oilfield Job Shop that will inform you on the newest trends, news and even vacancies throughout the world.
4. Build your professional network. We live in a highly connected world and you should use LinkedIn in order to connect with other professionals in the oil and gas industry. By simply talking to these professionals you can make your own connections that will help you to enter the industry or advance professionally.
5. Look and apply for jobs. You should always do a lot of research before applying to jobs in the oilfield. Be sure to look at company profiles and any other information on the company before you apply. Make sure that you also keep updated on the laws and regulations of the industry.
Be sure to use as many channels as you can such as job boards, newspapers, personal connections etc when you’re looking for career opportunities. You should also make sure your resume is well prepared as well as your cover letter. You should also apply to many different oil and gas companies so that you can increase your chances of getting an interview.