The following are guideposts to consider when applying and interviewing for oil refinery jobs. Applicants should have an understanding of oil refinery operations, they should have experience demonstrating qualities critical to oil refinery work and they should tune into what a manager or supervisor expects from them if hired.
Process Engineering Basics
Be fluent in at least the basics of process engineering. Process engineers and related professionals such as technicians, scientists, risk managers and others work to design and operate oil refineries. Even if a specific oil refinery job is not directly for a “process engineer” or a similar job opening, being able to talk about the subject is sure to make a positive impression on the hiring manager. Statistical control methods and risk assessment are always a high priority on an oil refinery.
Knowledge of Drilling/Refining Technology
Have some knowledge of drilling and refining technology. The same reasoning that applies to knowledge of process engineering is at work here. When an employee has the right perspective of the entire operation and its critical components, coworkers and supervisors have a much easier time communicating with that employee.
Handle Complicated Assignments
Prior experience breaking down complex tasks and prioritizing work tasks in terms of deadline, urgency or risk is excellent background that can help land an oil refinery job. It’s okay if the prior experience or training is not related to the oil industry. The employer knows that having the right character qualities and stress-management abilities will make training much smoother for everyone involved.
Trust, Risk Management and Mechanical Aptitude
Highlight experience in a line of work that required trust, risk and hands-on tasks. Oil refineries demand intellectual acumen as well as mechanical aptitude. Many oil refinery jobs rely on employees having a solid grasp of relevant tools and mechanical skills. Hand-eye coordination, respect for safety procedures and a sense of what is happening in a mechanical/electrical system can tremendously boost a job application. Those with weaknesses in this respect would do well to gain experience elsewhere before applying to an oil refinery. In a refinery, the risks and stakes are large. Practice in a less demanding environment can give interested applicants the background and confidence that will impress employers in the oil industry.
Employer’s Priorities
Applicants should have some understanding of a hiring manager’s priorities and concerns. Typically, people will strive to hire “the best” in terms of “the least likely to give me a reason to regret hiring them.” As such, job applicants should downplay any personality traits that could give the impression that they are unstable, unreliable, hard to work with or excessively critical/whiny. Realistically, nobody is perfect, but applying for a job entails “selling yourself.” The people hiring know that no applicant is as rosy as they claim, and will “adjust downward” accordingly, perhaps even subconsciously. Being too honest about negative personality traits or flaws could give a well-meaning applicant an excessively bad “grade” and decreased chances of getting a job.