Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
Statistics indicate that 75% of jobs filled have never been posted. These jobs comprise the hidden job market. The remaining 25% of jobs are posted, either advertised in newspapers or websites or through search firms and placement agencies. Ten years ago, we encouraged people to minimize their time looking for posted jobs and maximize their time by uncovering the hidden job market.
Many O&G companies use every means available to find new hires. They might have recruiters on staff, work with a search firm, or use a combination of approaches. Some give their employees a bonus when they need help to hire a new employee.
Because companies are now using multiple means to hire new staff, job seekers must too. The first step of an effective job search is to do your homework. Educate yourself about the O&G industry, the companies and the players. Here’s how.
Watch for tomorrow’s book excerpt to find out how!
Posted in Book Excerpts | No Comments »
Monday, May 10th, 2010
The Petroleum Services Association of Canada, (PSAC), www.psac.ca, is another valuable website. This national trade association represents the service, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry. PSAC member companies represent over 80% of the business volume generated in the petroleum services industry, so it’s a great place to start.
The Canadian Oilfield Service and Supply Directory, (COSSD), www.cossd.com, is provided by JuneWarren Publishing, Canada’s largest publisher in the energy industry. The company provides a varied range of information products serving the upstream and downstream O&G sectors. It is recognized for providing petroleum industry information about Canada through its authoritative directories, atlas, magazines, newsletter and online resources.
The Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada, (PTAC), www.ptac.org, is also worth checking out. PTAC is well connected, offering a variety of services to its members and the upstream hydrocarbon energy industry.
The Alberta Government has a wealth of career, labour market and industry information as well as qualified staff, who can provide career direction and help you access the information you need to make informed career, employment and training decisions. You can get more information about these resources and services near you by visiting www.alis.gov.ab.ca.
These resources and more are listed at the back of this book. Catherine’s website, www.prominent-personnel.ca has an up-to-date association listing as well and suggested seminars.
Caution: Don’t get lost in cyberspace
One of the greatest errors we see people make is to spend too much time surfing the net in a passive way, becoming intimate with Workopolis.com and Monster.ca and a spattering of websites. If 75% of all jobs are not posted, you need to spend only 25% of your time searching the web. The remaining 75% of your time is best spent in active contact with others, which includes sending emails. The exception to this is people in Information Technology who are typically placed through the web.
Watch for Part C!
Posted in Book Excerpts | No Comments »
Monday, May 10th, 2010
101-254 Drilling Database Implementation Specialist
Downtown Calgary – $60K – $80K Base, plus bonus.
Our client, which develops and sells drilling and well database software is looking to hire a Drilling Database Implementation Specialist. As an Implementation Specialist, you will be working with local and international oil and gas companies to design, implement and support a software suite of products. This position will be based in Calgary, Alberta and travel may be required. Interested applicants should apply at www.prominent-personnel.ca.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
Posted in Job Postings | No Comments »
Friday, May 7th, 2010
The more information you have about the O&G industry and the people you connect with inside companies, the better impression you will make. When you meet with people, always try to use their time to gain information that that you can’t find elsewhere. This shows that you respect their valuable time, and helps ensure their respect of you as well.
Perusing posted ads can give you a snapshot of the job market, as well as the kinds of skills and experience employers are looking for. When it comes to volume of ads, traditional newspapers win out in Calgary. According to a 2006 Calgary Labour Market News “Job Ad Analysis”, 5071 ads were posted in the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun papers over a three-month time period. The ads in the Calgary Herald Careers section “tend to be targeted at well-educated, high wage bracket job searchers with a particular emphasis on the oil and gas sector.”
Monster.ca and Workopolis.com are national job search websites and good resources for finding out where the opportunities
are. Both are important sources of jobs for high tech positions. CalgaryJobShop.ca, as the name implies, is a local job search website. We have heard of many interviews generated through this site.
But you can’t just study job ads and assume you are getting the whole picture. Other sources of great information include company websites and, if you live in Calgary, the fourth floor of the downtown branch of the Calgary Public Library. The librarians there will help you find detailed and hard-to-find information. When a job ad is posted in the Calgary Herald, for example, the library will have created a file with information about the company placing the ad. This can include the company’s annual report as well as relevant articles from local and national newspapers and magazines such as the Globe and Mail, Macleans, the Calgary Herald and others. Taking advantage of this valuable resource can save you valuable hours.
There are also websites that categorize companies and types of services. For example, there is a public company website found at www.sedar.com that will give you access to the latest information companies publicize to their shareholders.
Watch for Part B Monday!
Posted in Book Excerpts | 1 Comment »