How do I Get A Job in the Oil and Gas Industry?

As my coaching practice has evolved, I find myself doing a lot more career coaching. Lately I have had a burst of people calling me to inquire about jobs in the Houston area. Many of these are colleagues that I already knew from my career in GIS (Geographic Information Systems). However, not all are GIS professionals – some are people who are looking to move to Houston from out-of-state.

In Texas, the economy is thriving, especially compared to the rest of the nation, and Houston in particular is booming. None of it happened by accident. In my Leadership North Houston (LNH) class, we learned that Houston has the top economic recruitment organization in the country (the Greater Houston Partnership). The GHP was formed over 20 years ago to put certain economic development policies into motion, and are now seeing the fruits of their efforts.

Apparently word has gotten out that there is a high-demand for people with experience and skill in the geospatial technologies in the Houston area due in large part to the oil/gas/energy boom. The City of Houston alone has 3500 energy related firms (and a GDP larger than Venezuela’s), and geospatial has been identified as one of the Top 20 high growth industries by the federal government.

So although these geospatial professionals are in high demand and have good skills, most of them lack actual experience in the oil and gas industry. Because of the increase in applicants, many companies are increasingly favoring qualified candidates who already have experience in oil and gas. Why is that?

One simple reason applies to many professions – so that you understand “industry jargon” – in other words, be able to speak and understand the technical language spoken by geologists and geophysicists in the energy industry. The second reason is simply to weed out candidates who don’t already have oil and gas experience. It’s much easier and costs less to hire someone that doesn’t have to be trained.

So if you don’t have any experience in the oil and gas or energy industry, how do you get in?

Here are some ideas . . .

1)      Move to Houston. Nothing will show your commitment more, and it’s much easier to find a job in a city where you want a job if you are already living there. Many people who live in other states or even other cities within Texas are attracted by the high salaries in the oil and gas industry, but when it comes right down to it, aren’t willing to actually move to Houston.

I had an HR Director tell me that his company would not usually call an out-of-town candidate who submitted a resume for that very reason. But I thought corporations would pay to move qualified candidates? Not so much anymore. So you have a much better chance of getting a job in Houston if you actually move to Houston first. (Note:  For more on what the City of Houston has to offer, check out my article on Austin vs. Houston here).

 

2)      Start out as a contractor (or work for a smaller company first). A lot of people who don’t have direct experience in the oil and gas industry, work their way in by starting off at service companies (companies that service the big majors). This way they gain experience, visibility, and exposure in the energy sector. Many also work for engineering or consulting firms and contract out to an oil/gas company. Once the company sees what that person can do and what they are capable of, many times a permanent full-time job offer soon follows.

 

3)      Invest in yourself. Applying your skills in a new industry can be equivalent to a career change to an entirely new industry. Are you willing to invest in yourself? If you don’t have work experience in the oil and gas sector, another way to gain experience is via education. The University of Houston offers a fantastic master’s degree program in GIS and geology for geospatial professionals. Would you be willing to go back to school if it meant a nearly guaranteed job upon graduation? If you aren’t willing to invest in yourself, then why should a company invest in you by offering you a job?

 

In short, are you willing to do what it takes? This applies to any career you have chosen. Are you willing to do what it takes to succeed in that career? For instance, are you willing to move? Are you willing to relocate your family? Are you willing to invest in yourself? Are you willing to “pay your dues” by starting out in a lower position or even an entry-level job? Too many people aren’t, which is what makes the better candidates stand apart. Which do you want to be?

 

 

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