What You Need To Know To Work On An Oil Rig

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Working on an oil rig could be a very lucrative career. Make sure you have the following skills and you will be on your way to a great job in the always-hiring oil industry!

The Basics

First things first, you have to be at least 18 years old to work on an oil rig. No high-schoolers for this job! Once you meet the minimum age requirement, you will be given a physical exam. Rig workers have to be able to lift 50 pounds or more, stand very cold weather (there are many oil jobs in Alaska for instance), and work up to 21 days straight! In addition to being physically fit, you have to also be unattached from any addictions like alcohol or smoking.

Can You Fix a Car?

Experience is a very important quality of an oil rig worker. Many companies will not hire those without it. But how do you gain experience in the industry if no one will hire you? By becoming a mechanic! Many oil rig workers gain experience as a mechanic before pursuing work in the oil and gas rig business. Other gateway jobs include engineering, electric work, and other related trades. Some people even gain experience as a cook and medic. Oil rigs need those too!

Learn About the Industry

Get the facts about the oil industry. Before you begin pursuing a career, try to learn as much as you can about the job. There are hundreds of resources online from Wikipedia to Wikihow. Check as many as you can before you move on.

Network with Your Circle

Talk to your family, friends, and even your high-school ex-girlfriend about any connection they might have to the oil rig industry. This is how most people get a job. If that isn’t in the cards for you, register for oil rig message boards and make friends. Get to know people who know people.

Create a Resume

The overwhelming majority of jobs today need a resume; That includes oil rigs. Spend as much time as possible perfecting your resume and show it to anyone in the industry you can. Make sure you have more than two years experience printed on it and that it will stand out from other trying to get in the business. Most importantly, if you didn’t finish something (a job, college, whatever), don’t put it on your resume!

Apply! Apply! Apply!

If one of you connections hasn’t already got you a job on an oil rig, it’s time to look on your own. Apply on the internet, apply on newspapers, apply anywhere! This is the most important step in getting employed.

Conclusion

Follow these steps and you will have an oil rig job in no time. Remember, be diligent and be proactive. You will need this discipline when you are standing on the oil rig!