Oil Rig Jobs -Even with the recent disaster in the Gulf, oil companies are still operating at full steam ahead. Why? The price of oil is so high; every new discovery can mean millions to their base line. Technology allows them to recover oil that was up to that time too expensive to produce. The profits mean their capitalization value increases exponentially. So how can an average Job get in on the spread?
Oil Rig jobs are not often the first thing someone thinks of when looking for a job. Sure, some people get college degrees in geology and physics. Others study seismology and computerized simulations but in the end, someone still has to do the dirty work.
Working on an oil rig jobs is physically taxing. An entry level applicant should be in great physical condition. Tasks include cleaning and painting or helping to move heavy tools or pipes. A general laborer may even be asked to assist a roughneck or driller who is further up the responsibility ladder. The good news is a Roustabout starts at $300 per day. The bad news is a work day can be up to 12 hours long.
Due to maritime law, the company must provide employees with a place to sleep while they are on the rig. The conditions can vary from basic sleeping rooms to the luxurious state rooms found on a ship. The company will also provide meals. Often the food on an oil rig is excellent. Remember, the company will make huge profits if the rig is successful. They don't mind diffusion it around a little bit.
A physically-demanding, hazardous position such as a Roustabout means it is easy to be over worked. With fatigue comes errors and on an oil field jobs, this can be disastrous. That's why most rigs only ask workers to spend 2 weeks at a time on the rig. After the two week "trip" is over, there is a two to three week break. This means the average worker will be off at least half the year. At the same time, they will be earning approximately $45,000 per year. Not bad for a job with no educational requirements and six months vacation.
Entry level jobs aren't hard to get if you know how. You can try your luck at Internet job sites such as http://www.albertaoilcareers.com or you can apply to many companies. The problem with this approach is you put yourself in with a lot of competition. Companies big enough to have websites like Exxon and Mobil use them to find high level positions like geologists and scientists. Most of the physical labor positions are done by subcontractors.
Work on an oil rig is specialized beyond the general laborer position so most employers work within the industry. There are specialized Internet sites that post resumes for oil companies to browse when they are looking for help. A much easier way is to find out which companies have openings and contact them directly. There are companies that call hundreds of oil companies weekly to inquire about job openings. When they find them, they send out an email or newsletter to their members so applicants can apply directly. There is usually a fee for this type of service but it’s generally less than one day's pay. ($300). You can sit around and wait for someone to call or you can take your future in your hands and call them directly. This seems to work best.
Dave Berger is a frequent traveler to and has lived in South East Asia. Many of his friends and peers are Americans who live in 3rd world countries and work on oil rigs where their standard of living is higher in relation to their wages. He has set up a website that offers a 90 day free trial for people looking for oil rig work. You can visit it at Alberta Oil Careers.
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