Tricky job (lack of) situation

[creampuff]

Okey, I work(ed) in the oil and gas industry and I've been unemployed for 2 months due to the oil price being down the toilet. I'm quite experienced and I was at lead engineer level in my last position.

2 months unemployment would not normally be a financial problem. However this 2 months was preceded by a 7 month RTW family holiday, which we took on the expectation that I'd be able to get a job on my return. Maybe not so bright an idea in hindsight, but then in 20 years of work I've never been unemployed before. Anyway, I'm out of cash as I haven't worked for the 7 months holiday so 9 months in total.

I've got an interview for a job in Holland next week but the pay is crap, really crap. Infact it is at taking the pi$$ levels... basically it is a graduate level of pay and they would be getting a lead engineer level of experience. From what I've seen of the job description the company would actually benefit from most of my extra experience as opposed to it being a grunt job where the company would get no benefit from more experience. On top of this I'd have to pay for accommodation in Holland. Would stop my financial situation from going further backwards, but that is about it. Would also have to leave wife+kids back in London, which I'm about as excited about as a trip to the dentist.

Have also got 2 x interviews next week for jobs in London. These would both be better jobs with better pay. OTOH both these companies are slower movers than the Holland company and so if I get the job in Holland, I'll be offered that before I hear about either of the London jobs. Will also have to wait until next week for the interviews before I find out if the London jobs are real vacancies or if they are only candidate fishing expeditions.

Oil and gas market is really down the toilet in London and I'm quite fortunate even to have 2 x interviews in London. I have colleagues who had had absolutely nothing happen since last February. Christmas is coming up. My feeling is if I don't get a job sharpish it is going to be at least next March before I do get one.

What would you do?

[anonymous-user]

netter to have a job than not, even if money is st. you could gamble on big one coming up but could be a long shot. if you get it network and sniff out other jobs at company.

the biggest problem you will have is coming across as overqualified if money st.

[dingg]

always easier to get another job once in employment IME

take the first offer and dump it if the other comes up

[creampuff]

The Spruce goose said:

the biggest problem you will have is coming across as overqualified if money st.

That's the problem with changing industry from oil/gas to rail or infrastructure or something for a while, which is my preference. In another industry even if the pay is crap, at least I'd be doing something new and I could do it in London. There seems to be a lot of resistance from a lot of employers to employing anybody from oil/gas who is currently out of work. I don't know if that is because they think oil/gas is too different to other branches of engineering or if they think I'd just bugger off as soon as the oil/gas industry picks up again. So far this Dutch place is the only likelihood of a job. The two London interviews I'd only put at 50/50.

dingg said:

always easier to get another job once in employment IME

take the first offer and dump it if the other comes up

Mmm, I'm starting to lean towards this.

[creampuff]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yeah O/G rates have always been higher than other branches of engineering. i remember in the 90s I was working in defence shipbuilding and I took a look around, worked out that oil/gas paid more than all other branches of engineering and decided I'd get a job doing that

This Dutch job pay just sucks, by any standard though. It's even low compared with other branches of engineering such as rail or civils. It's about one-quarter of my last job. I'd sit it out but unf having had a 7 month family vacation where I burned through the savings, I can't afford to. I think next year's rates will be down 20 or 30%, I can live with that but this 75% reduction really grinds. I would rather do rail/civils for the same low pay as at least it is different but I've had a stunning lack of success with applications to other industries in the last 2 months.

[GT03ROB]

creampuff said:

Yeah O/G rates have always been higher than other branches of engineering. i remember in the 90s I was working in defence shipbuilding and I took a look around, worked out that oil/gas paid more than all other branches of engineering and decided I'd get a job doing that

This Dutch job pay just sucks, by any standard though. It's even low compared with other branches of engineering such as rail or civils. It's about one-quarter of my last job. I'd sit it out but unf having had a 7 month family vacation where I burned through the savings, I can't afford to. I think next year's rates will be down 20 or 30%, I can live with that but this 75% reduction really grinds. I would rather do rail/civils for the same low pay as at least it is different but I've had a stunning lack of success with applications to other industries in the last 2 months.

What's your discipline & experience? There is work there, but not a lot. Even 25% of what you were on is better than nothing. I think we are a long way from any significant rise in oil prices & most of the UK based O&G EPCs are struggling. I am a PM for one of the EPCs albeit Mid-East based at present.

[creampuff]

GT03ROB said:

What's your discipline & experience? There is work there, but not a lot.

Structural engineer; lead level. Mostly design office, some fab site. 20 years experience.

I have applied for some Middle East work and apparently I'm on the short list for at least one of the positions but its going sloooooooooooow.

[iphonedyou]

creampuff said:

Structural engineer; lead level. Mostly design office, some fab site. 20 years experience.

I have applied for some Middle East work and apparently I'm on the short list for at least one of the positions but its going sloooooooooooow.

Thought about TfL? I keep suggesting them these days on this forum but they're London based (obviously) and pay good day rates.

Maybe worth a shot.

[jjones]

If you get offered the Dutch job just take your time signing the contract giving you time to hear from the London jobs.

[22s]

Agree with taking the first offer and tossing it if the better one comes good.

They're taking the piss with comp so fk 'em.

[AyBee]

I'd agree with taking the first one that comes up, but do the sums first because 25% of previous salary plus extra expense of travel and accommodation over there may not make financial sense.