Offshore newbie,Rigger/Slinger/Banksman......help :(

[loud n low]

Hi,

Basically as the title says,I am from Ireland and I am super-keen to get into the Oil and Gas Industry.I completed the BOSIET/MIST course here in Ireland and on advice from a few guys I know in the industry,and based on my previous working background I decided that the Rigger/Slinge/Banksman tickets seemed most relevant.That was completed early December.

I know that its most likely that I will not start as anything higher than a Roustabout but to be honest,I can't even seem to make headway of anykind.....the very best response I have recieved back has been an automated reply"Dear sir...thank you.....we ll review your cv should a position arise....." etc..I have nt even got an interview.

Some people have said to constantly ring/email cvs and others have advised not to spam them every few days with the same cv....I thought I had a fairly good cv made out,but I am starting to question it!!!Would anyone here be willing to have a look my cv for some feedback?Are things picking up at the moment in the NorthSea or not?Are new-starts still being taken on?Its quite worrying when I see Roustabout vacancies that require "3 years experience"being advertised....(!!!)

Thanks a million guys,ANY ADVISE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED!!!!

Regards

Frankie

[LindsayMac]

I did exactly what you have done around 26 years ago. Calling and email, waste of time, you need to get a face to face with HR (Human Remains)
Have a few days holiday in Aberdeen and see the Contractors and manpower services, good luck.

[LindsayMac]

I did exactly what you have done around 26 years ago. Calling and email, waste of time, you need to get a face to face with HR (Human Remains)
Have a few days holiday in Aberdeen and see the Contractors and manpower services, good luck.

[matthewg]

LindsayMac said:

I did exactly what you have done around 26 years ago. Calling and email, waste of time, you need to get a face to face with HR (Human Remains)
Have a few days holiday in Aberdeen and see the Contractors and manpower services, good luck.

May I be so nosey to ask what it is you do with regards to drilling?

[loud n low]

LindsayMac said:

I did exactly what you have done around 26 years ago. Calling and email, waste of time, you need to get a face to face with HR (Human Remains)
Have a few days holiday in Aberdeen and see the Contractors and manpower services, good luck.

Thanks!I think you are spot on there,although it was something I considered as a "last resource"as a trip to Aberdeen aint cheap and my debt-o-meter is starting to hit Defcon 2 at this stage!!!

Still though,if means a job its something I have to find the cash for in a few weeks,I know that if I got a face to face chat with these people I could express myself waaaay better than any c.v.....Any thoughts on companies/agencies are worth putting to the top of the list?

Thanks again Bud....I owe you a pint

[getitupya]

oilandgasjobsearch.com and oilcareers.com

Register your cv and at least it is available to a whole load of recruiters....no promises, but at least it gets it out there.

Regardless of what people might say, the best way into the offshore game is knowing someone who can help. Even guys with 20+ years experience are not exempt from "We have recieved your cv" type responses...part of the game I'm afraid.

[Kiltie]

loud n low said:

... a trip to Aberdeen aint cheap ...

Accomodation will be free - our spare room is yours. My brother is using it from 14/04/11 to 18/04/11 - outwith that, you're welcome.

Cheers,

Eric

[matthewg]

Kiltie said:

Accomodation will be free - our spare room is yours. My brother is using it from 14/04/11 to 18/04/11 - outwith that, you're welcome.

Cheers,

Eric

Love the PH spirit. Good man.

[LindsayMac]

matthewg said:

May I be so nosey to ask what it is you do with regards to drilling?

LOL, too much to list, lets start with Roustabout and end up with Drilling Supervisor with a stint of OIM on Semi's and DP drill ship during by career.

[LindsayMac]

Transocean are the big payer but you will find it difficult to get a face to face. Don't rule it out though get in there and at least find out which manpower service they are using.
I am afraid I have been out of the UK sector for a while now so limited knowledge on who is providing what. One thing I will tell you, in this industry your own reputation at all levels is everything. I have never ever been out of work and I get offers more or less every 14days, (3 yesterday). Do a good job and you probably will be remembered, do a bad one and you definitely will be remembered.

loud n low said:

Thanks!I think you are spot on there,although it was something I considered as a "last resource"as a trip to Aberdeen aint cheap and my debt-o-meter is starting to hit Defcon 2 at this stage!!!

Still though,if means a job its something I have to find the cash for in a few weeks,I know that if I got a face to face chat with these people I could express myself waaaay better than any c.v.....Any thoughts on companies/agencies are worth putting to the top of the list?

Thanks again Bud....I owe you a pint

[matthewg]

LindsayMac said:

LOL, too much to list, lets start with Roustabout and end up with Drilling Supervisor with a stint of OIM on Semi's and DP drill ship during by career.

Wowzers. What is actual name for offshore drilling supervisor? I am asuming if you were KCA/Transocean etc, drilling supervisor is Sr Toolpusher, thats what i know it is. Or do you mean company rep?

[LindsayMac]

No drilling supervisor is the Company Man, although I have held those other positions you mention. Basically I was with the various companies that now make up Transocean for 23 years, both in the UK sector (approx 10 years) and the remainder overseas, Oz, New Zealand, Gulf of Mexico (otherwise known as the Sea of Stupidity ;-) Africa and asia.

matthewg said:

Wowzers. What is actual name for offshore drilling supervisor? I am asuming if you were KCA/Transocean etc, drilling supervisor is Sr Toolpusher, thats what i know it is. Or do you mean company rep?

[matthewg]

LindsayMac said:

Thanks for that. It ain't an easy life as you everyone else here knows so you deserve the toys you have!

[loud n low]

Thanks very much guys!!Especially Eric,thats way above and beyond friend,really apprieciate that very kind offer I may very well "ding-dong"you

I have my c.v.s on Oilcareer etc....and I have one more contact that will hopefully give me a direction to explore this week comeing and failing that,will try to get over maybe in the next 3 weeks funds allowing.

I just want a chance to prove myself,my brother and father are both commercial divers and haveing worked as a general operative on the topside with them on various salvage/civil projects I understand that reputation,reliability and work ethic are everything.....its just getting that all important "first tour".

My ears are still wide open to suggestions,keep em comeing folks and THANKS AGAIN everyone who has helped and mentored

Regards,

F

[offshorematt2]

To be fair, if you have worked as a 'general operative' as you describe it topside on vessels, you should be heavily emphasising it i.e. don't accept the 'green hat' classification - you are experienced albeit not on a drilling rig. Never know, could be the difference between getting an agency start and not.

There are a couple of contractors struggling to retain personnel at the moment as the industry hots back up, so persevere - nothing like a high oil price and a rush to drill to get the industry reeling from a lack of people. It's cyclic.

Cheers

[Ayez beera]

From what I have heard, companies want you to have the Greenhands course as well now. I did my MIST and BOSIET in 2009 with no luck of getting offshore yet, hopefully in the next few months insch-allah. So you might have to have that course too, bloody expensive though

Good luck

[kmm]

LindsayMac said:

I did exactly what you have done around 26 years ago. Calling and email, waste of time, you need to get a face to face with HR (Human Remains)
Have a few days holiday in Aberdeen and see the Contractors and manpower services, good luck.

I know nothing about the gas & oil stuff, but coming face to face with human remains is probably not good advice. You're much more liable to get a start if you can find a live person in human resource to speak to.

[loud n low]

offshorematt2 said:

To be fair, if you have worked as a 'general operative' as you describe it topside on vessels, you should be heavily emphasising it i.e. don't accept the 'green hat' classification - you are experienced albeit not on a drilling rig. Never know, could be the difference between getting an agency start and not.

There are a couple of contractors struggling to retain personnel at the moment as the industry hots back up, so persevere - nothing like a high oil price and a rush to drill to get the industry reeling from a lack of people. It's cyclic.

Cheers

Yea I have all the jobs I worked with the divers listed,and also in my "personal profile"that it was working with these guys (a lot of divers do these inshore jobs when they re out of SAT on their 28 off)and it led me to the career choice....

Am I right in saying that from now on(summer season)its starting to get busier?Any idea which contractors are finding it hard to keep staff?To be honest I would take work anywhere.......

Sorry for the million questions,Im just trying to use my time/effort more effectively....after four months day in day out emailing,researching and ringing it feels very much at this stage like Im doing something wrong,although I appreciate that if it was easy than everyone would be at it

Thanks for the responses people
Frankie

[Steve996]

If you've done your rigging/slinging/banksman tickets etc then it's worth trying to get a start with one of the general engineering support contractors as a new-start rigger as we move towards shutdown season. Try Wood Group Engineering, Aker Kvaerner Offshore Partner (AKOP), AMEC, Petrofac and PSN (although they're in the process of merging with WG).

Given your prior experience might be worth trying to pick up some deck work with one of the subsea contractors such as Subsea 7 etc.

[loud n low]

Steve996 said:

If you've done your rigging/slinging/banksman tickets etc then it's worth trying to get a start with one of the general engineering support contractors as a new-start rigger as we move towards shutdown season. Try Wood Group Engineering, Aker Kvaerner Offshore Partner (AKOP), AMEC, Petrofac and PSN (although they're in the process of merging with WG).

Given your prior experience might be worth trying to pick up some deck work with one of the subsea contractors such as Subsea 7 etc.

Thank you Steve