How do you prepare for a telephone interview when at the beginning they tell you the position they are looking to hire you for, is not the specific position you applied for, and all your research goes out the window (so I think)?

I applied for a Field Specialist position with Baker Hughes through their Military Recruiting Program a few weeks ago and I finally had a telephone interview today. After Michelle (interviewer) asked me a few questions regarding eligibility, she told me they were looking to hire me as an Entry Level Supervisor, working 7 on/2 off, 12 - 16 hours a day and would I be willing to relocate. She then asked me what my current compensation is and based on 12 - 16 hours per day, 7/2 schedule, with everything over 40 considered overtime, what would I like my compensation per hour to be. (I am beginning to think she was testing my math skills)

Talking about catching me off guard I researched for quite a bit what a field specialist makes (annual figures was all I could find) and what the job entails so I was prepared for that, and asking what I make now in the Military (less than the annual figures). I was not expecting to be considered for a Supervisory position and had no way to prepare for it compensation wise. Since I am use to an annual salary, I was caught off guard when she said she needed to know an hourly rate. So I calculated it, forgetting to consider overtime, I gave her an hourly rate based on my current annual salary.

I think I unintentionally disqualified myself, even though she did not elude to that. She did say in the very beginning that since my date of separation (DOS) wasn't until January, that they would not be able to consider me until later in the year since this position was starting in October (this was before I figured out my ridiculous hourly rate).

Did I disqualify myself? Will I get another chance closer to my DOS? What should I have asked for in compensation? Should I have said that I would like to discuss compensation/benefits at the next step in the interview? After thinking about it for a while and doing some calculations, I updated my online application to factor in overtime (on the low end) to equal just less than what I make now - was that wise or should I bump it up a couple dollars?

I am ready to start a new chapter in my life outside of Active Duty and give my family more stability, but having zero exposure to civilian jobs, I am finding it very challenging to find a job in the field and telephone interviews are a LOT tougher than I imagined. One issue I keep running into is trying to secure a job a few months out. When I applied for Schlumberger, my DOS was an issue. The Military has been great, but I never joined to retire, and I am finally at a point to where I can either reenlist again or get out and do what I have wanted to do for a very long time and follow in my family's footsteps.....except I need a job to do the latter. It would be nice if I could secure a job based on my current separation date at least 3-4 months out so I can prepare my family to move and sell our house. Heck, since I am close to my DOS, if I could secure a job, I would apply for early separation.

I know there are a few folks on here that work in the oil field. Would any of you happen to know any hiring managers that would be willing to consider my resume? I am old school and would rather meet them in person, but I don't know if they do that any more? I went to the military transition assistance program earlier this year and they warned us about the HR office and trying to get passed them--which I think I failed that.

Thanks for reading my book, sorry it is so long.

Josh

 

I can't help regarding the modern work force since my EOS was in the late 70's.
I wanted to work oilfield since that was where the money was and had decided to work anywhere in the world to get my foot in the door.
I put in multiple different applications with different companies. One was for medic/nursing (my Army MOS), one for Roustabout and one for Bull cook.
I didn't really know what a Roustabout or a Bull cook were but had heard they were low experience jobs.
I got hired as a Bull Cook almost immediately (I lied about some of my qualifications) and found that the first rig I went to didn't care.
As long as you would follow directions and work hard (you are stuck up there anyway so why not) they didn't mind training you.
After figuring out some of the "good old boy" mentality of the oilfield of the 70's I started getting hired out as a Medic
than as a Roustabout where I learned a lot about oil wells than finally started hiring out as a Roughneck.

Guess what I am trying to say is that for me,, being willing to work any oilfield job paid off.
I haven't been back up there in 30 years so it has probably changed a lot but the other major thing about being an oilfield worm (newby) is to just keep your mouth shut.

I got out of the oilfield because my kids were getting older and my wife actually wanted me to be home more often.
However, it really gave us a financial boost having just gotten out of the military so if you think your marriage can handle it than do it (for awhile).

 

What position you applied for and were interviewed for? Field specialist could be anything? Wirleine? Frac? Cement? Tools?
Try Halliburton, Schlumberger, etc
Lots of service companies hiring, and drilling companys also

 

Bark,

I understand what you are saying about willing to work any job. I know my marriage can handle it, how long, I don't know, hopefully until I retire lol. My wife knows this is passion of mine and has been for a very long time. Last time I tried getting out, I applied for various positions, right as the economy took a dive. I didn't get any phone calls, and ended up reenlisting. As far as applying, Baker Hughes, Schlumberger, and Halliburton only accept resumes and applications through their websites. As for the jobs, maybe I'm limiting myself, I don't know. All three use some sort of system that captures Military/Veterans experience based on jobs they have had and all three get me their version of Electronic Technicians or Field Service. You did give me some ideas about seeking out different jobs. Thanks Bark!

 

Kerry,

I applied for a Field Service position. The job doesn't go into too much detail other than performing skilled technical services at the well site. I was interviewed for Entry Level Supervisor. I've tried Schlumberger, even spoke with my Uncle who works for them as a Principal Production Stimulation Engineer (PSE). He talked to HR and they said I had to submit my resume online, which I did. I received an email from a Schlumberger Recruiter to set up an interview, but after a couple email exchanges ironing out my availability, he never called. Waited over a month, which is when I applied with Baker Hughes. As for Halliburton, it's been a few weeks since I've checked their job listings and it looks like they have more openings that matches my experience. I'll try them again. Thanks!

 

LoL. Shows you how different things are today. No such thing as a website when I got out.

 

Lol. The last job I had before the military, I walked in and was hired on the spot as a mechanic. Fast forward many years later, I'm thinking surely they haven't taken away the human aspect with the advent of the internet, called my Uncle who works for Schlumberger to see if he knew a contact I could fly out to meet to give my resume to and that didn't get very far. He talked to the HR office who told him that he could contact a hiring manager, but I still had to submit everything online and go through the same process.

My other Uncle works for MI-SWACO. Before they merged with Schlumberger, he was able to get his son a job without all the extra headaches. That all changed with the merger.

My grandfather retired from Amoco (now BP), and all his friends (from BP). So the pool has shrunk. My dad was highly respected with Amoco, but passed away in the early nineties. There are a few in the town that still remember him, but they too no longer know who a good contact would be.

Things have definitely changed over the years, probably for the good.

If it is meant to be, I'll get a job hopefully by October/November, otherwise, I'll have to wait another 6 years.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

You might try Oceaneering too ...subsea oil field work pays good, there's plenty of work and they like military.

As usual, ya gotta apply on the website but the HR dept is good about contacting you.

Www.oceaneering.com

 

Josh ...no clue how many years you have in, but I'm gonna offer the advice to finish the ride to 20 if you don't have any pressing need that requires you to get out now (other than just wanting to do something different). Maybe your mind is made up ....maybe you're just fishing for the available options since you are at a decision point (time to re-up).

I didn't join the military to retire either. Planned to do my four, learn my trade and get out. Didn't happen ... I hit the mid-point in my career and started planning to get out ...looking for work, even put in the request to get out. My bosses talked sense into me and when it was all said and done ... I'm glad they did. That retirement check is sure nice to have each month and not something that you should be willing to cast off too easily.
Just my two cents, bud ...coming from a brother.
Cheers,
PISTOL

 

My thoughts. former military fit nicely in the big blue family.

$450/day plus perdiem plus $30K base if you're in the NAM.

If they want you to go international, I would ask for $600 plus per day.

Quite honestly, outside of entry level positions, very few work hourly. most do a day rate. if they are set on hourly, shoot for something in the $30 or so. that should get you close with overtime rate.

 

I am with Pistol here.....hard to beat that Retirement check every month to go along with what ever else you decide to do as well......

 

as long as that retirement check will afford you the resources to go do something else.

 

Boy do I wish things were different. You know the funny thing about the resume, the Dept of Labor now runs the military Transitions Assistance Program. When I attended the TAP seminar they said to make sure to submit resumes in person, on resume paper, heavy stock, it'll make it stand out better...I couldn't figure out for the life of me how to transport it via the internet to ensure it lands on top of the stack

Thanks for the link! I checked out their website. That about goes right inline with what I do now....accept it is below the surface instead of loitering in the sky

Thanks for the encouragement Pistol. To be honest, my only reason is to do something different, it gets dragging sitting behind a desk...or...doing what I alluded to above--as sweet of a job as it is. Just tired of sitting. My mind is not made up, fishing for opportunities really, hoping the right one comes along. To be honest, this would be my last enlistment, but figured I could finish the last few years in the reserves, if the opportunity was there.

I hit the same point in my career a few years ago, even moved my family to NM. That was right when the economy took a dive. Couldn't get a job, so I reenlisted and moved my family back, then reenlisted again. Now we are a bit better off, a lot more experience under my belt. So when I got that phone call, I got a little excited, but when it it didn't go as expected, I got discouraged, telling myself that's it, but then I started "fishin'" again. Part of me wants to just reenlist so I close my options and stop leaving my family wondering what's next (they have been supportive though). Then another part of me doesn't want to intentionally close doors.

I don't know if one could ever be considered too old to get into the oilfield, but one of the other reasons I am having a tough time making up my mind, is because I am afraid I wouldn't be marketable at almost 40 if I wait 'til retirement? Don't know if that matters at all as long as one is willing and able to do the work?

I'm taking what you said to heart. You are right about the retirement check, heck that is a house payment in itself. I think about that often.

Thanks Fronty. $450/day is pretty enticing. I was never told what area they were looking for me to work in, then I received a survey to comment on the telephone interview for the Field Specialist Stimulation position in Odessa, TX. I guess what was frustrating is that I really expected to be asked technical questions, it was all about the money in that phone call lol.

Thanks Top! I think about that often.

Very true!

-------------


Thank you all for the responses. Definitely encouraging having different perspectives. One thing is certain, I won't jeopardize my family by getting out without a job. I work with someone who did, had a heck of time finding a job, then had a heck of time coming back in a couple years later. He wished he never did that. As tiring as it may get at times, just ain't worth it without a guaranteed job.

Serious question everyone: Should I be worried about the age if I were to wait a few more years? Other than having the retirement, I would also be able to finish my Petro Engineering and EET degrees a lot easier than if I got out.

Josh

 

Our Odessa shops run mid-con land jobs. Primarily west Texas, but they will send people and equipment to support other regions.

If you're on a field position, for compensations, I would go with a day rate of atleast $400/day, make sure they pay you per diem of $40 plus per day. That's tax free money your expected to eat on. Get a truck. Mileage will cover your driving to an extent, unless you're just commuting from your house to the rig.
Dont forget relocation expenses and bonus. you gotta cover deposits, hotel while finding a place to live, expenses while getting settled, storage of your stuff, etc.

If there is a Mrs. Megacab, see if BH offers a spouses program to help them get settled, socialized, helps them find a job if they are looking, etc.

 

Your marketability is relative, really. After 20 yrs in the military, you are probably not looking at the roustabout jobs. Your leadership skills and reliability are things that companies are truly looking for. There is a line of strong backs three miles long ...why put yourself in that line ? Use the skills that you are developing now to make the money you deserve. There are positions that will keep you from growing stagnant behind a desk ...look for those. Project management is a good fit.

If you've only got one more enlistment to go ....that would be foolish in my opinion to throw it away ...you could do that long standing on your head.

Cheers,
PISTOL