Employer Wish List: What They Want You to Know About Working in Mining, Energy, and Oil and Gas

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We’ve spent the past two months needling industry hiring managers to share with us their best advice on any number of topics related to work in the resource industry. Jobseekers after mining jobs, oil careers or energy jobs in Australia have benefitted from their generosity and inside knowledge of hiring processes. Today we’ve given our industry experts a chance to speak directly to the jobseeker and give them personal insight into the Australian resource industry.

The question we put to our employers this week is:

What do you wish every jobseeker knew about working in the Australian resource industry?

People in this industry are incredibly professional and committed. Many work in remote locations, on long shifts in rosters where they spend a significant time away. They get up day after day after day to do their job, and they do it well. There’s also a wonderful sense of community when you sit down at a breakfast mess at a mine site that’s hard to describe unless you have been there – and breakfast is usually when the sun hasn’t risen yet. However underpinning all of this is a complete focus on safety, the environment, teamwork and the community. I wish jobseekers knew how much pride people in this industry have in their job, the challenges they surpass every day and the honest, down to earth team spirit around you.
Rob Papworth, Group Recruitment Manager, MMG

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Mining in Australia has a diverse and colourful history. It has driven economic growth, seeded immigration and has been the basis for the odd legendary ‘disagreement’ (think Eureka Stockade!). Most importantly these days, the Australian Mining industry represents world leading safety standards and environmental sustainability.

If you are seeking to join Australia’s Mining industry, some key points to remember:
• Although rewarding, it is hard work - long hours, challenging conditions and remote locations
• Safety is number one
Pia Lewis, Senior Recruitment Manager, Downer EDI Mining Pty Ltd

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There is a reason why it is a highly paid industry, because they are working in remote locations away from family, the days are long and the environment is harsh. The towns they will be living in if they are residential are not always full of amenities. While the industry is ‘desperate for workers’ we are not begging for the pleasure of your company. There is work to be done and expectations about how - and how well - that work is to be done. A job in the resources industry is not a money for nothing lotto win.
Lyn McDonough, Workforce Supply Manager, Kiewit Australia

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We all hear about ‘the skills shortage’ in the Australian mining, oil and gas sectors. The economy, and therefore the workforce, operates on the principle of supply and demand. Skills are in desperate demand right now, and for the foreseeable future. If you have the skills to dig it, drive it, blow it up or find it then you can earn an excellent wage and live a great live style. If you don’t have these skills, then you’re not in demand. Supply the skills that the mining, oil and gas sectors are demanding. If you can’t, invest in obtaining those skills.
Paul Dean, Partner and Principal Resume Writer, thinkSMART resumes

Advice from industry employers

Make sure to read the other posts in this series:

• Common Resume Problems: Hiring Managers Share Their Observations
• Critical Elements of a Resume: What Hiring Managers Have to Know
• Leave It Off Your Resume: Resources Employers Advise Jobseekers
• Hiring Managers Tell How to Impress Them in an Interview
• Advice From Industry: The Golden Rule of the Job Interview
• Hiring Manager’s Speak: Interview Behaviour to Guarantee Failure
• Employers Advise: When You Don’t Have Site Experience

Join our crowd!

If you’re a hiring manager in the resources industry and would like to be part of our crowd, send us an email at blog@miningoilandgasjobs.com.

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