oil & gas engineers / pm's / designers - a few questions
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I have previously expressed an interest in a career in OG via this forum, and the more I research the more certain I am that this is the direction in which I want to take my career. To that end, I am currently compiling a targeted CV and aim to start applying for positions in the near future.
My questions relate to how someone from outside the industry would approach the recruitment process, but first a brief background:
I graduated in 2003 with an MEng in Aerospace Engineering. Due to the jobs market at that time [post 9/11] I ended up on the manufacturing graduate scheme of a company in the steel industry [the obvious one
]. In my career to date I have gained 2 years experience as a Process Manager & Process Engineer, and 3 years as a Design Engineer. In the last 2 years I have been involved in a niche area of Process Design which involves a lot of 2D/3D design as well as FE analysis using an ABAQUS driven design package.
Now, my questions:
1] I am primarily interested in Design Eng. or Mech. Eng. roles. The ones I've seen advertised tend to be either subsea or pipeline related. Can anyone recommend me a source of reading material so I can brush up on the design theory and on subsea/O&G operations in general?
2] I am also considering changing function into the Commercial field. I believe this will be far harder as I would be changing both my industry and area of expertise. Again, are there resources available so I can increase my knowledge in this regard?
3] How firm are companies with job requirements? Most engineering roles I have seen stipulate a minimum 3yrs relevant experience. I am certain that my CAD skills would be upto scratch and would quickly adapt to a new design rules/theory but how can I tailor my CV to at least get the chance to explain this in an interview rather than being instantly culled? Would a straight CAD role be a better idea initially with an aspiration to progress upwards?
4] Would a graduate entry scheme be more suitable for me rather than DE? I am not fased by an initial drop in salary, but how would HR view this? I know our own grad. scheme is limited to those with less than 3yrs industrial experience.
5] In general, what is the state of the OG jobs market at present? I am hoping to 'move on' from my present role within 3-6months, is this realistic? I am aware that job competition is fierce in many sectors at present and would like to know what I'm up against.
6] Finally, for personal reasons I am primarily looking at London & the SE. I would be grateful if anyone could recommend companies I should consider.
Any information or advice will be readily & gratefully received.
Best regards,
Phil.
I have previously expressed an interest in a career in OG via this forum, and the more I research the more certain I am that this is the direction in which I want to take my career. To that end, I am currently compiling a targeted CV and aim to start applying for positions in the near future.
My questions relate to how someone from outside the industry would approach the recruitment process, but first a brief background:
I graduated in 2003 with an MEng in Aerospace Engineering. Due to the jobs market at that time [post 9/11] I ended up on the manufacturing graduate scheme of a company in the steel industry [the obvious one
]. In my career to date I have gained 2 years experience as a Process Manager & Process Engineer, and 3 years as a Design Engineer. In the last 2 years I have been involved in a niche area of Process Design which involves a lot of 2D/3D design as well as FE analysis using an ABAQUS driven design package. Now, my questions:
1] I am primarily interested in Design Eng. or Mech. Eng. roles. The ones I've seen advertised tend to be either subsea or pipeline related. Can anyone recommend me a source of reading material so I can brush up on the design theory and on subsea/O&G operations in general?
2] I am also considering changing function into the Commercial field. I believe this will be far harder as I would be changing both my industry and area of expertise. Again, are there resources available so I can increase my knowledge in this regard?
3] How firm are companies with job requirements? Most engineering roles I have seen stipulate a minimum 3yrs relevant experience. I am certain that my CAD skills would be upto scratch and would quickly adapt to a new design rules/theory but how can I tailor my CV to at least get the chance to explain this in an interview rather than being instantly culled? Would a straight CAD role be a better idea initially with an aspiration to progress upwards?
4] Would a graduate entry scheme be more suitable for me rather than DE? I am not fased by an initial drop in salary, but how would HR view this? I know our own grad. scheme is limited to those with less than 3yrs industrial experience.
5] In general, what is the state of the OG jobs market at present? I am hoping to 'move on' from my present role within 3-6months, is this realistic? I am aware that job competition is fierce in many sectors at present and would like to know what I'm up against.
6] Finally, for personal reasons I am primarily looking at London & the SE. I would be grateful if anyone could recommend companies I should consider.
Any information or advice will be readily & gratefully received.
Best regards,
Phil.
London, Manchester or Aberdeen are maybe the best places in the UK.
Fancy Norway, Ayustralia, or Middle East? Plenty of work...
The subsea industry seem to be doing particularly well (excuse the pun) at the moment and many firms in Aberdeen are hiring all disciplines.
Try Subsea7, Sonsub, JP Kenny etc.
HTH
iain
Fancy Norway, Ayustralia, or Middle East? Plenty of work...
The subsea industry seem to be doing particularly well (excuse the pun) at the moment and many firms in Aberdeen are hiring all disciplines.
Try Subsea7, Sonsub, JP Kenny etc.
HTH
iain
Cheers Iain.
This may sound counterintuitive when it comes to looking for work, but London is really the only UK option for me. Would love the opportunity to work globally but I would have thought those would be for experienced personnel?
I will look at those companies you mention, one of them is running a grad. scheme i am interested in.
Would you say the best way in is via recruitment agencies or would I have better luck cold calling the relevant HR departments and making an introduction?
Phil.
This may sound counterintuitive when it comes to looking for work, but London is really the only UK option for me. Would love the opportunity to work globally but I would have thought those would be for experienced personnel?
I will look at those companies you mention, one of them is running a grad. scheme i am interested in.
Would you say the best way in is via recruitment agencies or would I have better luck cold calling the relevant HR departments and making an introduction?
Phil.
Get yourself registered on Linkedin.com
Set up your profile, highlight your career wishes, as you have on here.
Join groups associated with OG.
Ask the same questions to that group..
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=69274&trk=a...
There are many other groups linked with OG. Recruiters also check this site out regularly for professionals (not Bodie and Doyle)
HTH
Dave
Set up your profile, highlight your career wishes, as you have on here.
Join groups associated with OG.
Ask the same questions to that group..
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=69274&trk=a...
There are many other groups linked with OG. Recruiters also check this site out regularly for professionals (not Bodie and Doyle)
HTH
Dave
thanks for those 2. kentz look interesting, am building a good list of companies now.
hadn't thought of linkedin, i will work on creating a profile at the w/end.
whats the best area to work in if i want flexibility to work globally? i mean permanent positions/contracts whereby i can work for x years in one country, then move on whilst maintaining the option of coming back to the EU? this would be ideal.
hadn't thought of linkedin, i will work on creating a profile at the w/end.
whats the best area to work in if i want flexibility to work globally? i mean permanent positions/contracts whereby i can work for x years in one country, then move on whilst maintaining the option of coming back to the EU? this would be ideal.
Phil,
Kentz are definitely interesting but you'll need to be able to drink & talk with an Irish accent to get on!
At present the major EPC players in the London region are not having a great time of things. Petrofac at Woking have just picked up a major award. But I believe most of the others have been releasing staff. The industry has been badly overheated recently & it seems to be taking bit of breather. On the plus side the fall in sterling is helping & London will be more competitive when the work comes back, but the UK contractors have been beset by serious quality problems. If you are persistent you should find something.
Kentz are definitely interesting but you'll need to be able to drink & talk with an Irish accent to get on!
At present the major EPC players in the London region are not having a great time of things. Petrofac at Woking have just picked up a major award. But I believe most of the others have been releasing staff. The industry has been badly overheated recently & it seems to be taking bit of breather. On the plus side the fall in sterling is helping & London will be more competitive when the work comes back, but the UK contractors have been beset by serious quality problems. If you are persistent you should find something.
When drunk, the Irish accent comes naturally!
Rob - am I right that you work for a subsea co. with a number at the end? There's is the grad. scheme I'm interested in and need a HR contact to discuss things.
edited for my spelling, which is appalling today
Rob - am I right that you work for a subsea co. with a number at the end? There's is the grad. scheme I'm interested in and need a HR contact to discuss things.
edited for my spelling, which is appalling today
Edited by shirt on Thursday 5th February 14:46
shirt said:
When drunk, the Irish accent comes naturally!
Rob - am I right that you work for a subsea co. with a sumber at the end? There's is the grad. scheme I'm interested in and need a HR contact to discuss things.
Not guilty my lord, an EPC contractor called Fluor.Rob - am I right that you work for a subsea co. with a sumber at the end? There's is the grad. scheme I'm interested in and need a HR contact to discuss things.
Before Kentz got taken over I knew a couple of their directors, who were always good for a few beers or ten!
GT03ROB said:
shirt said:
When drunk, the Irish accent comes naturally!
Rob - am I right that you work for a subsea co. with a sumber at the end? There's is the grad. scheme I'm interested in and need a HR contact to discuss things.
Not guilty my lord, an EPC contractor called Fluor.Rob - am I right that you work for a subsea co. with a sumber at the end? There's is the grad. scheme I'm interested in and need a HR contact to discuss things.
Before Kentz got taken over I knew a couple of their directors, who were always good for a few beers or ten!
Theres a company called www.staffhunt.org that specializes in the Oil and Gas industry recruiting. If you give them a phone they could help you out. Say you got them from me on PH. 
This is who/what we're looking for at the moment:
http://www.genesisoilandgas.com/_positions.asp
PM me for some contact names and details of our Subsea Group...
http://www.genesisoilandgas.com/_positions.asp
PM me for some contact names and details of our Subsea Group...
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