Well I was lucky. I started looking for a job last spring and got one in late fall, outside of O&G. I was with Chevron for 4 years (worst company I have been apart of) and 8 years with a service company. The other half of my career was diverse. Construction, manufacturing, nuclear, consulting. I graduated from an Ivy League school with an Engineering degree, also an MBA from a top Tier program. I thought this would at least separate me a bit and give me an edge. It did not. I found that my diverse experience and my P.E. (Professional Engineer) did more for me than anything else. I started looking on job boards but within a few months of bad results....a few interviews with organizations I did not want to work for....I went the recruiter route. I found that everything mattered as they sold my skills to a large set of opportunities. I was somewhat picky, but never turned down an interview. I interviewed with 11 places before finally getting an offer from the 12th that I liked. Of the other 11 interviews I got 4 offers. I set my salary the same so it was less opportunities and greater competition. The market last year was flooded with O&G employees, worse this year. Most that worked for the majors did not continue with education and certifications. Also not a very solid background of experience. These interviews drill down to the nuts and bolts. They are long and tedious. Usually 2-3 phone screens and 1-2 in person interviews. I think it would be evident that without a meaningful 4 year degree you won't get past the internal screening. It is not to late to get your certs. HR, Accounting, Safety....all disciplines have there own. 70% of the jobs I interviewed for required your PE. For the 20 plus year employees, it will take 3-4 months best scenerio. Start to finish. Worse case well over a year. I would start the process now. I was blown back at how tight the market is in general. I wanted to stay local but 3 months in I chose a 250 mile radius for opportunities. This of course acceleratedoubles the process.........be prepared for a rough time. I believe the economy is going into recession. That being said you will get a job. Take the time to get what you need over the next 6 months, go back to school, certs and even experience. Start applying now. Even if you stay, it does not hurt to look. Of course be cognizant if you use a recruiter, you can't screw them over. Be honest and up front...........................................................................And of course no one knows how bad Chevron is, in providing employees with skills both technical and leadership wise. It's a fortune 3 company. Play that angel........................................................... Also there are zero jobs in O&G. Look outside. Good luck. Don't get down.......just keep up the fight.
20 replies (most recent on top)
Actually working in 3-4 industries is the norm over the last 20 years.
This may be true, but I'm not the one whining about losing my job even though I don't have an Ivy League degree, et al. And by the way you claimed 6 different job types over 20 years. If you can't stay at a place more than an average of 3.33 years then I would throw your CV out the window.
Thank God your DEADWOOD ass is out of here you entitled little bitch.
Actually working in 3-4 industries is the norm over the last 20 years. But getting Corporate Welfare at Chevron, would make you blind to this. You will soon find out your not very marketable.
I agree Chevron is a hard company to put up with. Way to much back stabing by the CA crowd and how much more important they are since they sit at the Corporate Headquarters. Actually someone told me this from ITC. They sit in San Ramon and think they are more imporatant than the people working in Midland actually working to get oil out of the ground. San Ramon has no respect for the Oil and Gas business becasue most of them have never worked a field oulled rods.
Chevron needs to clean house and get rid of the midddle mangement dead weight. i am talking ITC.
Worked for Chevron, a service company, nuclear, consulting, etc... Sounds like OP can't hold down a steady job.
Waiters at the Capitol Grill make six figures. My brother worked there in Philly 10 years ago. So your proved wrong.
if you are making more as a waiter now than you made in Chevron you must have had a very low PSG or been a salary employee without a degree ... no way, even in an 'upscale restaurant'
Prove me wrong and I will gladly take a 6-figure waiter job
1kdf Thanks for clarifying and defining. That's what puts 20+ at a competitive disadvantage.
●Just the budgeting process alone I am responsible for cost/benefit, Breakeven, Forecasting, net present value using forecasting tools on currency manipulation.
●Then execution budget. Expenses up front, project office, admin. Constructing a real time expense schedule and using GAP LIFO, and tolerance of <5%
●Deming whole project/budget. R&R's, Templates for accuracy and redunencies, daily financial communication both up and down.
This is just in a days work. Great part is autonomy, bad part is not much support. In the BU's, shared budgets and daily financial reviews have went the way of the dodo bird. Most of the speculation on this board would not be speculative with true financial controls and communication of these financial controls. Revenues, net income, cash flow are the life blood of a buisness. Yet no one discusses. You can rob Chevron blind in today's culture. I was shocked and kept waiting for this to get fixed and it got worse as oil prices rised.
Good post, but a bit short-sighted on your colleagues. Just because someone is a blue card at Chevron, it doesn't mean they have been only at Chevron. In fact, on my last mega project there, only 3 people on the team of 60? were 20+ year CVX staff. The average experience was 20+ years, and most only at CVX for about 5-8 years max. I would agree with you on the 20+ CVX people, they might have a harder time in the supplier and service industry, mostly because they haven't had to deal with customer service or marketing, and most have poor financial / budget skills. They are so used to wasting money, it will be hard to throttle back while working at a smaller company.
I've been laid off since October. 20+ year engineer and project manager. The current job market is rough. Very few job postings, even fewer responses back. Best of luck everyone!
That is my plan when I leave.
Thanks FQvUcoj-ltb. I put breaks in but it combined them after post. Bullet points are the ticket my friend. Thanks for the heads up!
Let go Oct 16th, after a nice two month vacation and pile of severance money, started my new job as project manager for a bigger, more successful company. Yes, I am quite happy. Only out of work for 6 weeks and Chevron sold my house for me.
We had a little get together for the fired Chevronites. We overwhelmed the place lol....now we will add another 5k. It's bad out there for soft careers. Buisness, communications, training. I am waiting at an upscale restaurant. I will make more than I did at Chevron. Crazy but true. I am doing this for a few years.
OP - also, paragraphs and bullets work on this site here... That makes it more legible... Look:
-
One, two three
-
Four Five Six
-
Seven Eight
Hava a great day
I'm sorry for those who only have a skill set suitable for their current O&G job, as everything in the O&G industry is slowing down or being eliminated. Whenever you have spare time or you have an epiphany, jot down all your skills, knowledge, training, accomplishments, etc. Calmly build and try to perfect your resume. Look for work in another industry that can use your hard and soft skills. Apply for numerous jobs. Craft a single page cover letter and tweak it a bit to tailor for each job you apply for. Commit to send off a minimum of 2 applications each day. Make a good note of each job you applied for and follow up on each one every 10-14 days. Take advantage of seeking work while getting your unemployment benefits. Good luck to all.
OP is correct there are no jobs in O&G....NONE. This will be hard no doubt. And many people's life revolves around there position at work. I know might even did a while back. I did feel for many of the Chevron folks that just positioned themselves for years and did not actually get experience. Chevron is the furthest thing from the real world.
This is the OP.....we all will get jobs. Part of life is getting canned. It will make you humble and also ensure you don't identify as your job! You are not your job....also the recruiters have seen a huge downturn. From 45 jobs to single digits.....everyone is panicking over the market and world economy. Also the shale gas bust has hurt many industries in the US that supported the boom. Steel was hot....drill pipe out the yin yang, equipment fab, rubber, mobile homes, chemicals, on and on.......also don't be afraid to sign up for prep courses on your company card.....especially if you know your getting canned. No one I knew was questioned. They close out your card and worse case you pay...99% chance you don't as people have to actually do something to get it back......and, yes...getting away from that place has been healthy for me. I moved away from the family for a while....I adore my family....but I am at peace. I worried I was going to pile drive all the wanna be tough guys. I have never experienced bullying as a professional lol....God Speed! Everything is OK.....
"...less opportunities and greater competition." If you really got your degree from an Ivy, you may want to ask for some of your tuition back, at least for the undergrad English. It should read "fewer opportunities" not "less". "Less" is used for unquantifiable items.
You gave us excellent advice. Chevron is the worst company I've ever worked for as well. So much nepotism and bullying.
Classy post...
I left chevron last June. The number of applicants we are getting at my new company have increased substantially since the first of this year.