How to Get a Job In The Oil And Gas Industry?

Are you thinking to get employed in the oil and gas industry? It’s surely a fantastic idea because jobs in the oil and gas industry have a popular demand all over the world.

But, getting there is definitely not a piece of cake as it demands a lot of experience and schooling (Master’s, Ph.D.) for highly specialized jobs such as marketing and public relations, business administration, engineering, etc.

However, if you are a beginner, you must be wondering how to get a job in the oil and gas industry with no experience? The good news is that you don’t always require a degree or previous work experience to get into this industry.

You just need a strong work ethic and have to begin from the bottom and work your way up the ladder. That may seem a daunting task, but your efforts would not go down the drain, as oil and gas jobs are one of the highest paid jobs in the world!

Tips to Get a Job In the Oil and Gas Industry

Here are the tips to get a job in the oil and gas sector:

1. Discover the role that suits you the best
2. Build connections and find a mentor
3. Get an internship
4. Make a perfect resume
5. Brush up your soft skills
6. Prepare well for the interview

1. Discover the role that suits you the best

There is a vast number of roles available in the oil and gas industry. You can do a thorough online search on the following categories and figure out which role matches your skills and qualifications:

• Office jobs in the oil and gas industry
• Sales jobs in the oil and gas industry
• Office administration jobs in the oil and gas industry
• Safety jobs in the oil and gas industry
• Security jobs in the oil and gas industry

2. Build connections and find a mentor

Connect with professionals and seek out a mentor from familiar circles. Establish a strong bond with them as they can help you with referrals and give generous career-related advice.

3. Get an internship

Internships are an excellent way to gain experience. It multiplies your chances to get a job.

4. Make a perfect resume

Make a resume that addresses your skills and experience relevant to the job. Keep it simple and concise. Use clear fonts with no to very little color.

5. Brush up your soft skills

Try to have a strong command of communication skills and leadership abilities as they are highly regarded by employers.

6. Prepare well for the interview

Get a good night’s sleep, and dress conservatively for the big day. Eye contact and good body language can get you through, so make sure you are calm and attentive to the interviewer.

Entry-Level Jobs In the Oil and Gas Industry

Jobs in the oil and gas industry consist of a wide variety of entry-level positions. Entry-level jobs are the ones that demand little to no experience at all. However, basic education is required that does not involve a four-year degree. Besides that, you need to possess a few basic physical skills to actively perform your duties.

These are some of the entry-level jobs in the oil and gas industry:

• Floorhands
• Drillers
• Truck Drivers
• Welders
• Diesel Mechanics
• Field Technicians
• Operation Technicians
• Heavy equipment operators
• Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) claims analysts
• Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) field workers

Skills and Qualifications Required for People With Experience

Below are some of the common qualifications you require to easily get a job in the oil rig or gas industry:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Earth Sciences
• Geology
• Engineering (chemical, petroleum, mechanical, electrical and environmental)

Apart from that, a person must possess a certain set of skills. They are:

1. Data Analysis Skills

The person must be able to collect, comprehend, translate and present a never-ending stream of data that must be thoroughly analyzed to make rational, logical, and cost-effective decisions.

2. Managerial Skills

The person must be able to implement effective delegation strategies and set goals and policies in line with industrial handbooks and company regulations.

3. Mathematical and Computer Skills

The person must have exceptional mathematical and computer abilities to ascertain the most profitable gas and oil extraction methods. These coincide with reading and interpreting data.

4. Communication Skills

The person should be good in communication and language skills, as this attribute is highly regarded by employers and is the need of the industry.

What are the best places to look for Oilfield Jobs?

One of the biggest mistakes most people do is that they just submit their resumes to multiple companies and then wait for the response. Twiddling your thumbs in the hope to get called for an interview is definitely not going to work out.

Here are some of the tips you can use to get your foot in the door:

Use Your Contacts

Many managers ask their experienced employees for possible applicants on a regular basis. The employees then suggest all the candidates who are in their sight and it becomes easier for the applicants to get a chance.

So, if you want to begin your career in the oil and gas industry, seek recommendations from those in your contacts who already work in one of these industries. This is one of the simplest ways to get noticed as your contacts can give you an edge in securing an interview and getting an entry-level job in construction or oil and gas industry.

However, it becomes a hard nut to crack if no one from your contacts belongs to the oilfield industry. But still, you can reach out to your acquaintances, family, and friends and ask if they know anyone who currently works in the oilfield. If so, get in contact with that person and ask them to vouch for you as word of mouth goes a long way!

Social Media

Social media is another best platform to look for jobs in the oil and gas industry. It also helps you to expand your circle and get in touch with field-related persons.

Get on LinkedIn and connect with people who work at your desired company. Keep in touch with them and ask all your queries.

Moreover, you can also follow pages and join groups related to oilfields on Facebook. Engage in group discussions and keep an eye on the referrals. In this way, you will be updated on the opportunities as they arise. Apart from that, you can also ask your friends or family members to tag you on job-related posts.

Employment Agencies

The employment agencies that work as a bridge between employers and workers. They assist the persons looking for work to find jobs as well as help the employers to find workers.

For example, Primusworkforce is an employment agency that deals with temporary staffing and labor services in Western Canada. There are many jobs in the oil & gas industry that you can find in Alberta, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Edmonton, British Columbia, and Manitoba.

What locations are high In Demand for Oil and Gas Jobs in Canada?

Jobs in the oil and gas industry are all over the world, but in Canada, there are some locations where there is a high job demand in Canada for the oil and gas sector.

In Canada, Alberta is the largest oil producer in the oil and gas industry. Other places like Calgary, Saskatchewan and Edmenton have a huge demand for workers, too.

Conclusion

You can easily start your career in the oil and gas industry if you have a relevant degree and immense work experience. However, having a higher degree or experience is not always a must.

There are multiple jobs in the oil and gas industry that demand too little experience and just basic knowledge. Just make sure to build up networks as you go along, and look for an internship, apprenticeship, or similar opportunities that will help you gain a foot in the door.

The Primus Workforce team is proudly built on hands-on industry knowledge and experience.