Career Change: The Oil and Gas Industry
Frequently, I receive resumes from a variety of professionals looking to begin a career in the Oil and Gas Industry. They clearly state an interest in entering the Oil and Gas workforce, and want to know of any available positions that would be a good opportunity. However, the most common item missing from their e-mails is what they are looking to do €" what career path do they want to pursue within the industry?
If one already has a career in the oil and gas industry, it's easy to identify positions that would be a good match for that person. In an industry that many are looking to join €" and that offers a wide pool of candidates €" it is easier for hiring managers and recruiters to focus on the resumes that clearly define what a person wants from or has experience with in the Oil and Gas industry, instead of having to figure it out for the person.
Are you looking to break into the Oil and Gas Industry? Are you just starting your career? Are you looking to change careers? No matter the situation the most important thing to do before you start sending out your resume is to pick a position you are interested in pursuing. Once you have a position decided, investigate the skills and experience required for the position; but, don't investigate alone. Post questions on social media sites asking for advice. It will provide you with more perspective and also be an opportunity to expand your network (hopefully, with professionals in the Oil and Gas Industry.)
Investigate companies that recruit for the Oil and Gas Industry and send e-mails out asking for advice pertaining to the specific position you are interested in pursuing. If the company's recruiters are discipline focused, they will be able to provide you with greater insight into the position and industry. It would even be wise to investigate job descriptions for the position you are interested in: entry, mid-, and senior level. It will provide you with an idea of the skills and experience companies are looking for and expect.
Whether you are looking to switch over to the Oil and Gas Industry or if you are just starting your professional career, you will most likely need to start in an entry level position. However, some industries, such as construction, may be easier to transfer experience over to promote you skills to the Oil and Gas Industry. Think about the position(s) you've worked, and the skills you gained. Did you manage people? What were your responsibilities? What was your experience and how does it relate to the skills that are required of this new (or initial) position you are interested in pursuing?
Does your past experience not translate over well? Do you not have much experience? Then highlight what you want to accomplish, and why you are qualified to pursue such goals. But BE SPECIFIC to the career you want. You may not be able to highlight past experience that is obviously relevant to the position you are looking to enter, but you can describe the capabilities you have that make you an asset to the industry and explain how you will be capable of learning and advancing in this new position.
Identify companies that you would be interested in working for and check their website for any potential opportunities. If possible, identify a hiring manager (preferably, specific to the position you are looking to hold) and send in your resume with a cover letter €" What you are looking to achieve? What do you bring to the organization and the industry? Why are you making this career change, and why will you do so successfully?
It may be that there is currently no position open for which you would be able to apply, but you may just €burn€ your name into the hiring manager's memory.
E-mail recruiting companies specific to the oil and gas industry. A bonus to doing so (instead of simply focusing on e-mailing the companies directly) is you can tell the recruiter about companies you are interested in working for in a specific position. Since a recruiting company usually has multiple clients, they will be able to suggest other companies that are similar in work environment to the ones you are interested in, broadening your ability to locate a job. Also, they have access to several job openings that may be of interest to you. They may also be able to tell you which companies are more likely to hire those new to the industry, with our without prior work experience.
So, as you begin to transfer your career to the Oil and Gas Industry, think about the position you are interested in holding, figure out what is expected of someone in that positions, locate companies to potentially work with, and €" remember €" you are going to have to work your way to the position you want.
Keep in mind: In order to satisfy the requirements of certain positions, you may need to consider furthering your education. If that is an option you cannot take, you may need to investigate €manual€ positions that you can gain experience in and work your way up to the position you desire.
Be prepared: More than likely, you will have to work your way up to the position level you expect to hold (or may hold in your current field of work.)
If one already has a career in the oil and gas industry, it's easy to identify positions that would be a good match for that person. In an industry that many are looking to join €" and that offers a wide pool of candidates €" it is easier for hiring managers and recruiters to focus on the resumes that clearly define what a person wants from or has experience with in the Oil and Gas industry, instead of having to figure it out for the person.
Are you looking to break into the Oil and Gas Industry? Are you just starting your career? Are you looking to change careers? No matter the situation the most important thing to do before you start sending out your resume is to pick a position you are interested in pursuing. Once you have a position decided, investigate the skills and experience required for the position; but, don't investigate alone. Post questions on social media sites asking for advice. It will provide you with more perspective and also be an opportunity to expand your network (hopefully, with professionals in the Oil and Gas Industry.)
Investigate companies that recruit for the Oil and Gas Industry and send e-mails out asking for advice pertaining to the specific position you are interested in pursuing. If the company's recruiters are discipline focused, they will be able to provide you with greater insight into the position and industry. It would even be wise to investigate job descriptions for the position you are interested in: entry, mid-, and senior level. It will provide you with an idea of the skills and experience companies are looking for and expect.
Whether you are looking to switch over to the Oil and Gas Industry or if you are just starting your professional career, you will most likely need to start in an entry level position. However, some industries, such as construction, may be easier to transfer experience over to promote you skills to the Oil and Gas Industry. Think about the position(s) you've worked, and the skills you gained. Did you manage people? What were your responsibilities? What was your experience and how does it relate to the skills that are required of this new (or initial) position you are interested in pursuing?
Does your past experience not translate over well? Do you not have much experience? Then highlight what you want to accomplish, and why you are qualified to pursue such goals. But BE SPECIFIC to the career you want. You may not be able to highlight past experience that is obviously relevant to the position you are looking to enter, but you can describe the capabilities you have that make you an asset to the industry and explain how you will be capable of learning and advancing in this new position.
Identify companies that you would be interested in working for and check their website for any potential opportunities. If possible, identify a hiring manager (preferably, specific to the position you are looking to hold) and send in your resume with a cover letter €" What you are looking to achieve? What do you bring to the organization and the industry? Why are you making this career change, and why will you do so successfully?
It may be that there is currently no position open for which you would be able to apply, but you may just €burn€ your name into the hiring manager's memory.
E-mail recruiting companies specific to the oil and gas industry. A bonus to doing so (instead of simply focusing on e-mailing the companies directly) is you can tell the recruiter about companies you are interested in working for in a specific position. Since a recruiting company usually has multiple clients, they will be able to suggest other companies that are similar in work environment to the ones you are interested in, broadening your ability to locate a job. Also, they have access to several job openings that may be of interest to you. They may also be able to tell you which companies are more likely to hire those new to the industry, with our without prior work experience.
So, as you begin to transfer your career to the Oil and Gas Industry, think about the position you are interested in holding, figure out what is expected of someone in that positions, locate companies to potentially work with, and €" remember €" you are going to have to work your way to the position you want.
Keep in mind: In order to satisfy the requirements of certain positions, you may need to consider furthering your education. If that is an option you cannot take, you may need to investigate €manual€ positions that you can gain experience in and work your way up to the position you desire.
Be prepared: More than likely, you will have to work your way up to the position level you expect to hold (or may hold in your current field of work.)
