At Energy Job Shop, we want you to be able to make sense of the various jobs that currently define the oilfield industry. We want you to be able to find a job that fits not only your experience level, but also what you would ultimately like to do within the larger oil and gas industry. Navigating this industry can be challenging at times. However, there are certain things you can still keep in mind.

There are things about the oilfield field that are almost always going to hold true. In terms of getting started with the industry, there are a number of elements and potential challenges to consider. When it comes to finding and going after the jobs that appeal to you, there are things you can do that can go a long way towards optimizing your chances.

Energy Job Shop can make sure you have the best foundation possible to get the oil/gas industry job that challenges and rewards you on every possible level.

Making Sense Of Today’s Oil And Gas Industry

Currently, the industry supports around 9.8-million jobs. That accounts for approximately 5.6 percent of all United States employment. The current number for total employment in the industry is somewhere in the neighborhood of 440, 000. This number is not exact, but it is down from years past. Just two years ago, the number was around 538. 000 individuals employed in the oilfield industry, or in any of the other jobs that make up the oil/gas industry.

It is worth keeping in mind that although the number of employment opportunities in the industry has gone down, the industry was extremely lucrative. Between 2004 and 2014, some of the best-paying employment opportunities in the United States could be found in the oil and gas industry.

While that is no longer the case, the industry as a whole remains worthwhile. There are tons of potential paths you can follow at this point in time. Although there are consistent fears that more layoffs are going to come, for now, there are numerous employment options out there. At Energy Job Shop, there are just a few simple things you’ll want to keep in mind, in order to optimize your chances.

Getting Started In Oil And Gas

Although oil prices are currently subject to varied dips, the long-term perspective towards the industry is pretty good. There is something of a slowdown with hiring right now, but you shouldn’t let that deter you. Many believe that a crew shift is coming, and that the number of open fields is only going to increase in the near future. Upswings in hiring are fairly reliable in this industry, even as layoffs have left things seemingly a bit wobbly. Roustabouts, engineers, geologists, and even drilling supervisors will want to keep up with the current state of the industry.

The stronger the understanding of the industry, the easier it will be for you to find oilfield positions and other jobs that interest you. This is one of the cornerstones of your foundation for success in this industry. There are several other things that you will want to keep in mind.

Finding Your Opportunities

Success in most industries is defined by your experience. Obviously, the more you have, the better you are going to do. One off the nice things about the oil and gas industry is how quickly you can acquire that experience. In just a few years, you can have enough experience to strongly consider some of the more lucrative jobs in oilfield and beyond.

Entry-level/technical positions are usually the best bets for newcomers. Many of those positions demand a college degree, but this is not always the case. If you have an electrician or construction background, you may find it easier to secure a job that suits you. The skills in either of those fields can prove to be highly useful in entry-level/technical positions for oil and gas. Any technical or safety-related certifications you may have can also prove to be useful, in terms of not only experience, but in terms of making you an attractive job candidate.

A background that involves problem-solving and communication can prove to be a very useful background indeed. Regardless of the job, employers in the industry as a whole are often looking for people who have an attention to detail, work well in a team, and bring a strong work ethic to a multitude of daily tasks and responsibilities.

Some of the potential jobs you can find includes:

  • Field hand
  • Radio operator
  • Heavy machinery operator
  • Roustabout
  • Welder
  • Driver

There are also support jobs within the industry. For example, some work as cooks.

Tips For Getting Employed In The Oil And Gas Industry

You can find onshore positions and offshore positions. In most cases, the offshore positions are the ones that pay best. Since these positions tend to require more experience, that certainly makes sense. The fact that these jobs can also take you away from home, while also giving you dangerous situations to deal with, are also significant reasons.

If you are looking to move as far up the ladder as possible in this industry, regardless of the career path you choose, you are going to want to have a strong educational background. This can include a certificate or degree from an accredited college or technical school. Two-year degrees are available in engineering technologies, construction management, welding, and numerous other paths. At Energy Job Shop, we believe that any one of those degrees can help you to get your foot in the door.

Another nice thing about going through college or technical schools? Networking. As is the case with any other career field, there is so much value to be placed on networking. Some people put too much on it, but as long as you can back up anything you claim, you should be fine. Going to a school can allow you to meet and establish invaluable professional connections. They can also help you to secure an apprenticeship, depending on what you would like to do.

A bachelor-of-science or graduate degree may wind up being your best bet. Of course, this is something else that depends on what you would eventually like to do.

A Few More Tips

Oilfield positions can cover a number of possibilities. Regardless of what you ultimately want to achieve, here are some general tips that you can keep in mind:

  1. Your cover letter/resume have to be amazing: Any job you apply to should keep these things in mind. This industry is no different. Avoid creating an awesome cover letter with resume at your own peril.
  2. Optimize your cover letter and resume for the oil and gas industry: However, this is definitely the kind of industry in which you want to have a resume and cover letter that emphasizes your experience with oil and gas. Even stuff that’s indirect but still relevant can prove useful.
  3. Take the initiative: It can be vital to have a mindset that constantly and aggressively seeks out opportunities to gain experience, or even certification.
  4. Patience is a virtue: Depending on how far you want to go, you can do well to remember that this is definitely an industry that values patience to a pretty significant degree.