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.

Don't get a job just because you can't write a good employment cover letter?

Do you think that someone else less capable than you is getting employed just because his cover letter was better than your's?

Maybe yes because cover letters play a very vital role in your job employment.

Cover letters actually let the reader read your mind!!

Here are 11 Tips on writing a good, professional Employment Cover Letter. These are some basic tips. You will find complete set of tips with tips on stylizing your employment cover letter in my website.

1.An employment cover letter should create interest in the reader to go through your resume.

2.Don’t make your employment cover letter very long. The reader might just not read it after seeing such a long letter. Express more in less words. Don’t make your letter repetitive.

3.Tell them what you will do for the company and how willing you are to help the company and how you will help them. Don’t write a big essay on how you will do that, make it a small paragraph. Tell the company what you specialize in and how a professional like you will help the company.

4.Show them how interested and willing you are to help the company through the employment cover letter. Get all the information about the company and show how enthusiastic you are towards the company.

5.Try making your employment cover letter as different as possible. The reader will have hundreds of cover letters to read. So its quite understandable that he will just have a look at the cover letter and select you if he thinks you are among the best. So try to tell him that you are the best in every possible way.

6.Don’t take your employment cover letter lightly. It’s the key to your employment and thus your success. Be creative, get involved in it. Dedicate yourself. Show how enthusiastic you are.

7.Don't brag too much about yourself. Be genuine and straightforward.Show that interest.

8.If the employment cover letter is communicative, straightforward and good looking, the reader instantly comes to know that you are motivated and get involved in your work very well. Also tell them what you will do if you are employed. How you will help the company grow your knowledge and talents.

9.Tell them about your qualifications and the extra courses in your employment cover letter, if you have done any.

10.And yes, be careful about not making any grammatical mistakes.

11.Your employment cover letter should not possess too many colors or graphics. That makes it seem unprofessional.

More Tips on writing employment cover letters...

1.An employment cover letter should convince the employer to go through your resume.

2.You should try to show your interest in the company you want to work for.For eg.Andrew wrote in his employment cover letter-"I have heard about Infosys a lot and would be delighted to work for it."

3.Be very specific about what kind of job do you need.

Why is an employment cover letter so important?

An employment cover letter is very important because that is what the employer refers as a summary to the resume.(its obvious he wont read the whole resume cause he has hundreds of resumes waiting for him)So we should be creative at writing employment cover letters and not take cover letters lightly.

An employment cover letter elaborates your nature- If you have written the cover letter well, it shows that you are creative and hardworking.

Great tips on Stylizing your employment cover letter

1.An attractive employment cover letter grabs attention, but one which is too much decorated with bright colors and unreadable text seems cheap, at least in the case of cover letters.(I really mean it!)

2.There can be some amount of color. For example,for the titles, sub-titles, personal details,etc. different colors might be used.

3.But yes, if you are opting for a graphical designer,or any kinda of designer, you may use graphics to enhance your talent in designing.

4.But still, the text should be readable and there should be some level of professionalism in the letter.

5.Leave margins around the page.

Working with new clients on a regular basis keeps me energized. I love learning about their different careers and the paths they have followed up to the point of meeting me. While becoming acquainted with them, getting a feel for what their objectives are, and reviewing their old resume, almost all of my clients want to interject additional information.

Additional information is obviously helpful and expected during the review and resumes development process when it is relevant. Current position achievements and accomplishments definitely need to be included as does any formal training, education, or other service performed relevant to the future objective of the client. The problem occurs when, in the process of building or updating their own resume, clients want to include an overload of information. This is usually the reason most job seekers eventually contact a resume writer. It is often a wise decision because it is very hard to be objective when writing for oneself. Weeding through all of the past performances can be a very subjective task. Certified writers are trained and very experienced in sorting through information and utilizing only the most relevant information resulting in powerful, focused resumes.

What I remind my clients is that it is important to stay focused while writing the resume. What is the goal of the resume and what is the specific position you are trying to obtain? Clients with several years of experience have the luxury of retrieving and using only the most applicable experiences and achievements. However, most want to provide information on all aspects of every job ever held. This unneeded information just adds clutter to the resume and waters down the strength of the document.

Employers are very busy and usually not excited about the whole hiring process. The average resume is reviewed for 15-20 seconds before given the "yeah or neigh". What are the employers looking for? They are looking for actual accomplishments and achievements with numbers and facts to back up the achievement. Also they are interested in your fit with their company. Will you get along, work hard, fit in, and make them money? You resume must show them using your resume that you are what they are looking for. The resume needs to also make you stand out and shine leave a lasting impression, all in the first glance.

Resumes are most relevant when they are targeting a specific criteria, job description or goal. Pointing all achievements, as well as daily responsibilities towards your goal will give you a sharp, well focused resume and a definite advantage over the competition. A well crafted resume created by a Certified Professional Resume Writer works because it has been specifically developed for you and your current career goals and needs, it isn't generic or to broadly focused to fit the positions you are seeking. It also has specific industry, profession, and position keywords strategically integrated into the document to draw attention from both human and computer generated senses.

Being stuck in a rut with your career is no fun at all. I've been there before, so I know how it feels. Day in and day out, I went to work, felt myself waste away a little bit, and then went home. The day was gone and I didn't do anything that I found worth my time. Sure, I worked and earned a paycheck, but there's more to a rewarding career than just bringing home a paycheck.

I wanted more…I needed more out of my career. What I was doing was not giving me a sense of satisfaction or personal reward. Even though I earned a living, I felt like I was wasting my day, each day. That's no way to live.

Off I went on a search for the right career for me. This was important to do because I needed that sense of satisfaction and reward. I needed to feel like I was not wasting my day. The career I was in at the time did not give me that sense of satisfaction and reward. I needed something different -- I needed to get out of the rut.

There is hope for a better career, a better life, and a brighter future. The task does seem insurmountable, but as I have proven to myself, it is not.

Let me tell you a little bit about my journey. Day to day, I would wake before my body was ready, no matter how early I went to bed. I got ready and left for work, commuting anywhere from 45 minutes to one and a half hours, depending on traffic. I would then sit in a cubicle all day long, working at my computer, doing work that I found very boring, until it was time to go home. Then I left for the commute home. When I arrived at home, I was exhausted. Being bored all day really wore me out.

How could I possibly search for another job or get more education when I was exhausted every day? I will tell you that it was hard. I had a few false starts before really committing myself to the task. Basically, I was fed up. I was tired of what I was doing and I became driven to do more. That drive gave me the energy I needed to get out of my rut.

I made a basic plan, and then implemented a course of action. I decided that I needed more education in a different field, and so I started looking. Once I found what I needed, I worked tirelessly toward my goal. It was hard work, but I got there. I got out of that rut through hard work and dedication, both held together by a single vision of where I wanted to be in life.

That single vision is what helped me through the hard times of this journey. When I was down or tired, the vision gave me the energy I needed to go on. If you need to get out of a rut, you need a vision. You need something to reach for -- something you can see in your mind's eye. Find that vision and you can find something more for yourself.

By Shannon Emmanuel

The entrepreneur game is filled with an amazing variety of individuals. Laid-off workers, semi-retired individuals, inspired people with unbounded enthusiasm, and, oh yes, mothers too.

I can speak in the first person about the hardship of self-employment; the daughter of a sign shop owner, I still get nostalgic at a whiff of turpentine or paint fumes; the wife of a persistent ‘start-up’ husband, I’ve stood by many, many businesses and contract jobs while my husband ventured his talents in fields as diverse as gutter sales, RESP representative and Capital finance consultant; and memorably, I recall selling small gift items with my mother at flea markets and tried my own hand at jewellery making while still in junior high.

Yes, my experience has also opened my eyes to the devastation of bankruptcy, unreliable business partners and misleading (even deceitful) ‘home business’ schemes.

However, once you have the taste of independence that self-employment offers, it is mighty hard to fight back! So now, as a mother of two small children, I am more determined than ever, that I, and hopefully my husband as well, will BE self-employed with a certain amount of security and obviously, a reliable amount of income.

What can be done? Where does it start? How much will it cost? And can you come from a terrible defeat, self-employment-wise, and “rise from the ashes?”

My answer is “Absolutely!”

I swear to you that opportunity is out there. I see it, and taste it, and more importantly, I know it’s been had by others. What I have also learned is that there are at least FIVE important steps I must take to realize true satisfaction in this game. Let me share them with you.

1) Perseverance.

There are probably more types of work-at-home businesses (or ‘schemes’) than pebbles on a beach. This can be overwhelming to a new entrepreneur. But it also means that there will certainly be something you would like to try your hand at. Keep reading, keep surfing, keep asking questions. Knowledge is everything when you’re planning a real business. You’ll learn as much (or more) from your failures as you will from your success.

2) Persistence.

Face it, a lot of people will get excited about a new idea, but very few will follow it through. If you try something that your gut tells you is a good idea, than persist, persist, persist. Often times what makes the difference between those who ‘make it’ and those who don’t, is that solid businesses require a certain amount of real effort. If you are giving it all you’ve got, than results will come.

3) Patience.

In this world of instant satisfaction, it can come as a mind-snapping shock that MOST success stories are not made overnight. It’s true that there are examples of individuals who put a few dollars into a business and became millionaires (or did they?) But you can be assured that a good business will take time to ‘saturate’ its market. It may be only days or weeks before you see something happen, but generally you need to expect a minimum of 6 months to a more often stated 2 years to see a reliable business take shape.

4) Positivity.

Is it all sounding too hard by now? Remember, these qualities will Set You Apart! If success was really as easy as some like to advertise, than why are there so many people struggling to pay the bills? Be Positive. If you have the entrepreneur spirit, you know you will eventually try something new, why not keep going with what you have? The rewards are there! It’s been said before, but I quote this anonymous source again: Surround yourself with positive people. I guarantee this makes the difference. If your enthusiasm is being drained, DO NOT share your thoughts or progress with those individuals. Save it for when you can gloat!

5) Past Experience.

This goes back to perseverance. USE your past experiences. Never feel your investment of time or money was a waste. You cannot learn much for free these days, but these experiences will build your business on a solid foundation of knowledge, wisdom, practical experience and confidence. You will learn to trust your instincts more and more. You will spot a fraud, or at least know how to read between the lines of an offer that sounds too good to be true. Most importantly, your experience will enable you to adapt and your self-employment will be firmly fixed as your way of life from here on because of it!

I truly wish you success in your venture. In time we will all have great stories to share of our rise to self-employed FREEDOM. In the mean time, keep going! You will succeed!