Interviews
For many offshore jobs for oil rig workers you may be hired for one or more short term offshore trips. In this case it would be unusual for you to have to attend an interview. Your suitability for the job will be assessed on your CV and qualifications alone, so make sure your CV is giving plenty of detail about your previous work experience and qualifications relating to the offshore industry. However for longer term offshore jobs in the oil and gas industry you may well be called for interview. Interviews can be daunting, however with good preparation you shouldn’t have anything to worry about, and it can be a real opportunity to showcase your worth to an employer. Interviews differ depending on the employer, and the job being applied for. If the job is highly technical, like heavy industrial or offshore work, then you will probably have a technical interview and possibly a trade test. Trade tests will relate to your area of skill, for instance Welders may have welding coding tests.You may have a competency based interview as well as questions relating to your knowledge of the skills needed for offshore oil rig jobs. Competency based interviews are used to find out whether you have the skills and experience to do the job. The questions are likely to be about your skills like team working, dealing with pressure, prioritizing your work load, problem solving, dealing with emergencies. Although these questions seem general, the answers you give should mention specific examples of these situations. Think of your answers in terms of:
- What was the situation?
- How did you deal with it, who said what?
- Why you took the action you did, what was your moviation?
- What was the outcome?
- What did you learn from this experience?
Here are some tips and general advice to help prepare your interview answers for a successful interview technique:
- Read through your application and CV before your interview. Make sure you can give complete answers to any questions about your CV or covering letter, be prepared to explain gaps in your work history.
- Find out as much as you can about the company giving you the interview. It’s not uncommon to be asked questions about your prospective employer in your interview – make sure you have the answers.
- Be enthusiastic – your prospective employer isn’t going to hire someone lacking motivation. Talk passionately and enthusiastically about your work. This applies equally to competency based interviews.
- Be prepared. Ensure that you dress appropriately, and make travel arrangements with lots of time to spare. Being in good time will relax you, as well as make the right impression.