Are you considering a job in the oil and gas industry? Even though there are political and economic risks that impact the industry, it’s still a safe bet to get a high paying job.
The fact is that oil and gas jobs are among the highest-paying jobs in the United States. The median pay for oil and gas workers is well above six-figures, which is way above the national average.
If you want to have this kind of financial security, one of these jobs would be a great fit for you. How can you get a job in the industry if you don’t have previous experience? It may seem intimidating to break into the oil and gas industry with no experience, but it is possible.
Keep reading to find out how you can get into the elusive oil and gas industry.
Leverage the Experience You Do Have
You may not have direct experience in the oil and gas industry, but you may have experience in other industries that you can bring to the table.
For example, an IT job in healthcare is just as demanding as an IT job in oil and gas.
You need to look at two things when you’re looking for oil and gas jobs. You should study the different positions in the field to determine the skills and qualities needed.
Then, take a long look at your experience. See where your experience and skillset can match those requirements. These are things that you’ll want to mention on your resume and in job interviews.
Know Where the Demand Is Highest
Oil and gas jobs are all over the world, but there are some locations where the demand is incredibly high. In the United States, Texas and Louisiana are leaders in the oil and gas industry. Other places like Pennsylvania and Ohio have a huge demand for workers, too.
Elsewhere in the world, Alberta, Canada, and Australia are other hotbeds for oil and gas jobs. You want to make sure that you’re in a place where there is a high demand for jobs in oil and gas.
Not only do you have to look at the geographic location of demand, but the types of jobs that are in demand. Virtually anything related to engineering has a huge demand for you.
Another area in high demand is in job safety. There are frequent accidents involving oil and gas workers, and the industry knows that it has to just do better.
One area of focus is to protect workers from NORM and TENORM, which could expose workers to radiation. You can learn more about these materials and how oil and gas workers are impacted.
Start With Entry-Level Jobs
In some cases, if you have no job experience or limited job experience, you may have to start from the bottom and work your way up.
That may sound awful, but remember that oil and gas jobs pay well. Even entry-level jobs pay better than most other industries.
For some jobs, like working as a truck driver, health claims analyst, mechanic or machine operator, you don’t need a degree and you can train on the job.
There are other jobs that are likely to require a degree, such as marketing and public relations, business administration, or engineering.
Get an Internship or Apprenticeship
An internship or apprenticeship can boost your chances of getting an oil and gas job. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door and get the experience that you need.
There are skilled jobs that will pay much more, as long as you pay your dues. You may be able to get training in school and on the job and come out with a very high-paying, in-demand job.
Internships make it easier for you to get your foot in the door while you’re still in college and make recruiting easier for companies.
If you’re an engineering major or are in accounting, supply chain management, IT, geoscience, or human resources, you can easily land an internship at a major company.
Know the Pros and Cons of the Industry
The oil and gas industry can be very demanding. That can take a toll on your and your relationships if you’re not fully aware of what you’re signing up for.
Reach out to people within the industry and become aware of the pros and cons of the jobs you want within the industry.
Prep Your Resume
You’ll need to have a great resume to get hired. You want to make sure that your resume highlights your relevant skills and experience mentioned earlier.
You want to make sure your resume is clear and one page.
Network, Network, Network
You don’t want to send your resume to different companies and hope that you get called for an interview. You want to have a contact on the inside who can help you secure an interview and land a job.
You want to start connecting with people early on in the process. Get on LinkedIn and connect with people who work in your field in the oil and gas industry. Start to ask them questions or ask them out to coffee or to hop on a call.
You can use professional and alumni associations to see if you can gain additional contacts within the industry, too.
Finding Oil and Gas Jobs
It’s not easy to break into a new industry. It’s even harder to do if you have no previous experience. There are ways you can find oil and gas jobs without experience. You’ll wind up with one of the best paying jobs in the country.
You have to choose your career path first. You may be able to use previous work experience in another industry that can translate well to oil and gas jobs.
You also want to make sure you build up your networks as you go along, and look for an internship, apprenticeship, or similar opportunities that will help you gain a foot in the door.
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