Employment Guide

Offshore oil rigs operate around the clock, and provide interesting, unconventional careers and lifestyles for many working in the industry. Offshore oil drilling operations provide rewarding employment opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds, from dishwashers to entry level roustabouts to experienced managers. Previous oil industry experience is not always a prerequisite for employment on an oil rig, though being in adequate physical shape to perform the labor is necessary. A physical exam must usually be passed prior to employment on an offshore platform.

For many offshore laborers, above average earnings and advancement opportunities make their positions attractive and fulfilling. People working on offshore platforms come from a wide range of employment backgrounds, and many find that they are able to earn higher wages working on offshore oil rigs than they could earn through other jobs onshore. The availability of continued training and advancement opportunities vary among different employers.

Employee benefits such as medical insurance, dental coverage and 401K programs also vary greatly among different companies. While some offshore employers do not provide such benefits, others will offer a comprehensive benefits package in addition to wages. In considering acceptance of an employment offer for an offshore position, ensure that you receive complete information about the benefits included in the offer and that the benefits are suited for your needs.

Though scheduling may vary among companies, it is common for offshore workers to spend about two weeks working shifts on an offshore platform, followed by about two weeks onshore to spend at their leisure. When considering employment offshore, one should assess his or her own ability to adjust to the schedule changes that will be required. In addition to spending extended periods of time away from home, workers may also switch between night and day shifts while offshore. Many find the benefits of offshore labor to outweigh the demands, since extended working periods are followed by extended periods of time off to spend at their leisure.

The living conditions on most offshore platforms have significantly improved over the years and continue to improve with time. Catering crews on most platforms provide a range of food and snacks for workers’ meals. Offshore platforms have also made advances in the availability of activities for workers to do during their off shift times. Leisure amenities vary among rigs, but the availability of satellite television and movies is not uncommon today. Fitness centers, recreational games and computers with games and internet access may also be provided for employees in their off time.

Though offshore drilling is suitable and rewarding employment for many people, the lifestyle it requires is not for everyone. Good candidates for offshore employment are capable of being away from home for possibly weeks at a time, working long hours and persisting through wide ranging weather conditions. For fitting individuals, offshore oil careers provide lucrative, rewarding careers and lifestyles.

Like your job? Working for a good organization? If the answer to both is yes, maybe you should consider making yourself indispensable. In truth is no one is truly indispensable, but for career growth by working hard at making yourself indispensable, your career will prosper either with your current employer, or you’ll be a top candidate for a job with another organization.

First, assess your strengths, weaknesses and your value to your group. What is your competition? Now develop a plan with both long and short term strategies to boost your value within the operation.

Following are 10 immediate actions you can take to make you more promotable or make you irreplaceable in the face of downsizing or reorganizing:

1. Take ownership of your responsibilities. View your department as a separate company. Consider your actions as if you were president of your company. Look at the balance sheet on every decision you make. Will the decision be seen as an asset or liability? Try to always see the bigger picture.

2. Take responsibility for your career and personal advancement. Be proactive. What are others in the same position doing in other organizations? What results are they achieving? What can you learn from then? How can you initiate those actions within your “company?”

3. Maintain a positive attitude. Look for ways, even under stress, to find the positive in everything. Find options to overcome obstacles and don’t entertain the thought the situation is impossible. Stay away from the naysayers.

4. Consider outsourcing non-critical functions. Become an expert in this area. Lean organizations become more efficient by outsourcing. Let your management know you can effectively run things with fewer people.

5. Find tasks to do better or something that is not being done. In many organizations, especially those in a downsizing mode, responsibilities slip between the cracks. Propose to your boss that you pick up the slack. If you need extra training see that you are prepared. Don’t be bashful about broadcasting the positive results.

6. Let others know what you’re doing. As mentioned in #5 above, if you or your team achieves something important to the organization let others know. Some managers believe if they keep quiet and blend into the background they’ll be overlooked when and if the axe falls. Don’t believe it. Be wise in spreading the word. It isn’t bragging if you’ve done it.

7. Excel in an area your boss is weak in. Look for opportunities in this area. Your boss is a good speaker but weak on material, there’s an opportunity. Your boss is great on ideas but weak on financial analysis, there’s an opportunity. If your boss is good on people skills but weak on technology, there’s an opportunity. You see the trend, keep you eyes open and this is an area in which you can be truly be indispensable.

8. Leverage outside contacts. Look for opportunities to be a company spokesperson at professional and community events. Get approval in advance and let your boss know what you’re doing. Be sure to brief management on issues or information you learn in your outside contacts.

9. Be a team player. Always support your boss and your team. Don’t get involved in petty jurisdictional fights that could derail the overall success of a program or the organization. However, remain as independent as possible in choosing your role on the team or what part of the project you’ll be responsible for.

10. Invest in yourself and your career. Stay current in your field by taking training and development courses and seminars. Read inspirational and motivational books, listen to CD’s in your car on your commute, and keep up to date on the economy and business in general.

Now since you’re acting like you are running your own business, you need to keep yourself informed and motivated. Seize any opportunity to sell yourself and show what you can do. Be sure to share information and build up your department by becoming an outstanding contributor. You’ll find that in becoming indispensable you’ll be elevating your career-and isn’t developing you career the real goal?

Why career planning after retirement? There are many reasons to keep working. You may need the extra retirement income. You may miss the social interaction of the workplace. Maybe you're bored and realise that hobbies aren't enough to fill your days. Or maybe your other half is threatening to brain you if you don't get out of their hair and find something to do!

Whatever the reason, more and more people are resuming some form of employment after official retirement.

Career planning after retirement can present the opportunity to do something completely different. If you were an accountant, now you can be a freelance writer. If you were a nurse, now you can train to be a yoga instructor. When it comes to making money after retirement, the only limits are your aptitude and determination.

Decide on the basics first.

Do you want to work full time or part time? Do you want to work at home or go out to an office? Are you interested in sales or a service business? Do you like dealing with people or would you rather work on your own?

If your own business has been your goal for a while, you may already have some ideas for self employment in mind. Do your research. Go to your local library and check out books on entrepreneurship and setting up your own business. Go online and investigate other people who are engaged in similar enterprises.

If you know you want to work for yourself, but can't narrow it down to a particular business, then again, go to the library. Roam the aisles with a pen and paper and jot down any and all ideas for self employment. Brainstorm when reading the paper and watching television. You can get ideas anywhere. Surf the internet and get inspiration from across the globe.

Take your time and do your homework! You don't want to set up your own small business and then discover you hate it.

Maybe at first glance your dream job seems like it would be too time consuming (or too costly to set up). The whole idea of making money after retirement, of career planning after retirement, is to give you more freedom, not to tie you down to a desk and burden you with debt.

In that case, why not take it virtual? If running a real riding stable would be too much, why not set up a website about riding stables and horses? If bass fishing is your thing, but the idea of a shop or tour operation seems like too much work, why not have a website that sells fishing equipment or promotes other people's guided fishing tours?

If you think that sounds unworkable, try doing a search online for any term that interests you. I'll bet you'll find people making money with websites on the same theme. Whatever you decide to do, remember that you have experience and maturity on your side. This is your chance to do something for you.