Follow These Tips To Land An Oil Rig Job

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An oil patch analyst in Houston, Texas, recently summed up the situation in hiring people for jobs in the energy sector: “Our clients can’t find people fast enough,” said one person who matches employees with oil companies.

As it stands today, roughnecks, who are workers on offshore oil rigs, are retiring faster than they can be replaced. New workers straight out of high school can land jobs at $25 per hour to start.

How to improve your chances of landing an oil rig job requires a measure of planning and research. Cold-calling oil companies on the job site can prove to be frustrating and not beneficial. You’ll simply waste time and gas running around the various oil fields in Texas or North Dakota. By planning ahead, you’ll likely find a job more quickly and at better pay. Here’s how to prepare yourself for that oil rig job.

Get Prerequisites in Order

A clean driving record and the capability to pass a drug test are the first two requirements to land a job. Also, you should have no felony convictions in the past five years. Because of the poor employment situation in the U.S., oil patch companies are able to raise the bar on people they hire.

Get Local Training

Attending a two or three month course at your local community tech school can do wonders for landing an oil rig job. For example, welders are in high demand in the oil patch. Successfully completing a basic three-month course in welding will give you an edge when applying for work and will probably reward you with a higher starting wage. Quite simply, the more skills you can bring to an oil rig site, the more likely are your chances of being hired immediately at a high wage. For example, if you’re looking for Exxon careers in oil and gas, this training will make you more attractive to a company like this.

Check Employment Companies Before You Go

Call either private or public employment companies before heading out to the oil patch. They will have the latest news on which companies are hiring and at what positions. Both job requirements and wages will be available.

Try to Secure Housing Beforehand

Housing is scarce in the oil patch. Living in your car is not fun. Ask potential employers if they offer employees housing. Renting a house can cost $3,000 or more.

Use Veterans Employment Resources

Companies like hiring veterans because of leadership skills. Veterans should check with veteran employment counselors in the state they’re seeking work. Many jobs they offer are specifically designated as “veteran preferred.”

Check Out Prospective Employers

Meet a prospective employer before accepting a job. Ask other employees about the company. You don’t want your paycheck bouncing after two weeks on the job.

Deposit a Cash Reserve

Starting a job can take several weeks. Have enough cash on hand to live for four weeks without a paycheck. Be prepared to pay for everything out-of-pocket until the first paycheck.

Summary

Prepare yourself before seeking out oil rig jobs. Getting training in oil patch skills will greatly enhance your chances of landing a job. Check with employment agencies for jobs available.