OIL AND GAS

RECRUITMENT 101
Disclaimer
Any views or opinions presented in this presentation are
solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Department of Earth and
Atmospheric Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and
Mathmatics, or the University of Houston.
Outline
Definitions and oil industry overview
Types of jobs offered in the oil and gas industry based on
degree
Overview of recruiting companies at UH (2014)
Resume writing
Interview tips
Networking
Q&A
Petroleum industry structure

Upstream exploration and

production sector: collecting
data and drilling wells

Midstream- transportation of raw

petroleum to refineries, typically
by pipeline, rail, barge, tanker,
truck, etc..

Downstream the refining,

processing, marketing, and
distribution of refined petroleum
products

Source: API
 Service company vs. Operator
Service companies: companies Operators (exploration and
which provide technical services to production companies):
operating companies, but do not companies that decide where and how to
drill for hydrocarbons, and own the rights
own the hydrocarbons that are
once produced
produced

Examples: Baker Hughes,

Examples: BP, Chevron,
Cameron, CGG, Core Lab,
ExxonMobil, Shell,
Fugro, Halliburton, ION
ConocoPhillips, Anadarko,
Geophysical, National
Apache, Devon, Hess,
Oilwell Varco, PGS,
Occidental Petroleum,
Schlumberger, Spectrum,
Noble Energy, Marathon,
Technip, Transocean,
Southwestern, EOG, etc..
Weatherford, etc.
Types of service companies
Diversified: Schlumberger, Halliburton, Weatherford,
Baker Hughes

Equipment: National Oilwell Varco, Cameron

Seismic acquisition: ION, CGG, Spectrum, TGS, PGS

Drilling rigs: Transocean, Noble Corporation, Hercules

Offshore, Nabors Industries
Types of exploration and production companies
Integrated/Supermajors (upstream and downstream):
BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Total

Exploration and Production/Independents (just

upstream): ConocoPhillips, Anadarko, Apache, Noble
Energy, EOG Resources, Marathon Oil, Hess
Corporation, etc..

National Oil Companies (NOC): Ecopetrol, Gazprom,

PEMEX, Petrobras, Petronas, PDVSA, Rosneft, Sinopec,
Sonangol
 Very-generalized exploration and production
workflow

Seismic acquisition company E&P company leases land E&P company interprets data
records seismic data over area of from the government and determines a location to drill
interest (geophysicists: MS, PhD) (landmen) (geologists and geophysicists:
MS, PhD)

Service companies drill the

If large enough reserves are Production facilities, pipelines,
well and record technical
proven, field development begins storage facilities, and
data (engineers, geologists,
(engineers, geologists, transportation are installed
geophysicists: BS, MS, PhD)
geophysicists: MS, PhD) (Engineers)
Outline
Definitions and oil industry overview
Types of jobs offered in the oil and gas industry
based on degree
Overview of recruiting companies at (UH 2014)
Resume writing
Interview tips
Q&A
Types of jobs: BS (Geology or Geophysics)
Mud logging/ wellsite geology (service companies)
Software support (service companies)
Geotechnical support staff (operators)

Typically hired by service companies

Starting salary range: $30k-60k
Types of jobs: MS (Geology or Geophysics)
Entry level geologist or geophysicist (operators or service)

MS degree is REQUIRED for entry level positions by

almost 100% of operators
Starting salary range: $100k-$115k
Typical signing bonus: $5-15k
Types of jobs: PhD (Geology or Geophysics)
Entry level geologist or geophysicist at operator
Experienced hire as a specialist in a research/technology
group within a service or operating company
Consultant/research role in a service or operating
company

Starting salary range: $100k-$130k

Typical signing bonus: $5-25k
Outline
Definitions and oil industry overview
Types of jobs offered in the oil and gas industry based on
degree
Overview of recruiting companies at UH (2014)
Resume writing
Interview tips
Networking
Q&A
Overview of recruiting companies at UH
Chevron, ExxonMobil: Supermajors, integrated oil
companies, global footprints, 60,000-80,000 employees

EOG, Hess, Marathon Oil, Noble Energy,

Southwestern Energy : Independents, global
footprints, 2,000 4,000 employees

For a full description of each company please refer to the

company website or attend the info session
Outline
Definitions and oil industry overview
Types of jobs offered in the oil and gas industry based on
degree
Overview of recruiting companies at UH (2014)
Resume writing
Interview tips
Networking
Q&A
Formatting
One page for undergrads
Two pages for grad students
Do NOT submit a resume longer than two pages for on-
campus recruiting for an oil or gas company
Font: should be a reasonable size and theme (Arial,
Times New Roman, 11-12pt)
Margins: (0.5-1.0)
Should be neat and balanced
NO wrap up sentences
NO periods ANYWHERE
NO clipart
Use bullets wisely
Resume template
Parts of a resume
Contact information
Objective statement
Education (degree, including GPA if above 3.0)
Relevant Coursework
Work/research experience
List of skills
Professional and/or student organizations
Awards/honors/activities
Abstracts/Publications
Contact information
Address
Phone number
Professional and current e-mail address
(sk8rboi@aol.com is NOT an example of a professional e-mail
address)
Objective statement:
Needs to answer the following questions:
1. What type of position am I looking for? (full-time vs internship)
2. What type of role am I looking for? (geologist, geophysicist,
petrophysicist, operations geologist, exploration geophysicist,
mudlogging geologist, wellsite geologist, processing
geophysicist, etc.).
. Can include a start date (ex: Summer 2015 internship)
. Does not need to be longer than one sentence
. Ex: A full-time position as an exploration geologist in the oil and
gas industry
. Ex: An internship as a geophysicist in the petroleum exploration
industry for Summer 2015
. Ex: A full-time position as an exploration geophysicist in the oil
and gas industry starting December 2014
Education
Degree, major
Bachelor of Science, Geology
Master of Science, Geophysics
Doctor of Philosophy, Geology
Expected graduation date
Month and year
University/college and department attended
University of Houston, Department of Earth and Atmospheric
Sciences
GPA (if above 3.0); thesis title; advisors name
Skills (formatted in a list)
Technical or specialty software you know
Language skills (proficiency, conversational, or native
language)
Skills need to be applicable to the job in which you are
applying (i.e. dont include that you are an awesome
babysitter or waiter)

Ex: Petrel, SMT Kingdom, Echos, VISTA, Petromod,

ArcGIS, Microsoft Office suite, Linux, Proficient in Spanish
Experience (in reverse chronological order*)
Work, research, or volunteer
Job title, name of employer, dates of employment, location
Dont include non-geoscience related positions (ex: waiter, golf caddy,
sales rep, cashier, retail positions, etc..)
DO include military service (if applicable)
Use action verbs to describe your tasks, responsibilities,
accomplishments, and results in a bulleted list
Examples of action verbs:
I conducted lab experiments.
I provided software support to
I aided senior geologists in
I loaded 2D seismic data
I built a velocity model
I interpreted 3D seismic data
I processed seismic data

*reverse chronological order: newest first, oldest last

Examples of action verbs

http://lyndacwatts.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/resume-buzz-words-words-that-win/
Examples of action verbs

http://lyndacwatts.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/resume-buzz-words-words-that-win/
Activities, Honors, or Awards
Scholarships, grants, honors (do not list dollar amounts)
By semester or year in reverse chronological order
List activities/honors/awards relevant to geosciences
before any other areas
Also can include short courses or technical software
training courses attended
Do not include high school activities/honors
Can include: Eagle Scout or Gold Award Girl Scout
Can include: National Merit Scholar, Valedictorian,
Salutatorian
Do not include any other high school activities
Professional and student organizations
Aim for at least one national and one local organization
National: AAPG, SEG, AGU, SEPM, etc.
Local: AAPG Wildcatters, SEG Wavelets, GeoSociety, AEG, GSH,
HGS
It helps to have leadership experience in these
organizations and/or show that you are actively involved
Relevant coursework
Include already completed and current coursework that is
relevant to the job in which you are apply
If pressed for space, you may omit this section
Important for undergrads or students who have less
experience
Include Imperial Barrel Award (IBA), if applicable
Publications or abstracts
Optional section, if applicable
Looks great to recruiters and can set you apart from your
peers

Ex: Smith, J., Structural and stratigraphic history of the

Gulf of Mexico, AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition,
2013 (poster)
Work authorization
U.S. citizen
U.S. Permanent Resident
F-1 Visa
J-1 Visa
Example grad student resume:
How to submit:
Click Student Industry
Employment
Opportunities link on
www.eas.uh.edu and
follow the subsequent
instructions
Deadline is August
25th at 5pm!
Tips from a real UH recruiter
Black & white text only (no colored ink)
No MS Word art or clipart
Use the Spelling & Grammar check
Ask one or two people (advisor, professor, or UH Career
Services) to review for spelling & grammar mistakes
not caught by the software
Format should be visually pleasing to read and easy to
find information
Punctuation (May.2013) May is not an abbreviation
Recruiters will accept updated versions at any time
Outline
Definitions and oil industry overview
Types of jobs offered in the oil and gas industry based on
degree
Overview of recruiting companies at UH (2014)
Resume writing
Interview tips
Networking
Q&A
What are companies looking for?
Strong technical skills
Excellent soft skills
Excellent communication
Team player
World-class scientists
It doesnt matter if you study geology or geophysics- just be great
at what you do!
Be enthusiastic
What to wear?
Business casual or business formal
Two or three pieces of clothing (top, bottom, jacket)
Shoes: low heels, clean, shined, conservative/classic style
Colors: conservative are best
Black, navy, white, khaki
Neat, clean, pressed, well-fitting

Do NOT wear:
Jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirt, shorts, open-toed shoes or sandals,
old, dirty, or smelly clothing, hat or cap, perfume or cologne,
colored nail polish, large or too much jewelry, cover tattoos or
piercings (other than ear)
First impression
Prepare clothing the day before
Wear deodorant
Arrive EARLY
Be nice, polite, relaxed
SMILE!
Practice with someone before the real interview

During an info session: DONT ASK A QUESTION JUST

TO BE ASKING A QUESTION- IT DOESNT MAKE YOU
LOOK SMARTER!
During the interview:
Bring copies of resume and transcripts
Memorize the interviewers name
Make eye contact
Listen carefully, think before you speak!
Use good body language and posture
Eliminate um, ah, like, ya know
Bring a bottle of water if you need it
Come prepared with a list of questions for the interviewer!
They are looking for a good fit
Types of questions
Informal:
Tell me about yourself
How did you become interested in geology?
Tell me about your thesis
Behavioral questions: Past behavior predicts future behavior
Tell me about a time you had a conflict when working in a team
Tell me about a time when you had to take initiative
Tell me about a time you had to work with someone more
experienced than you
Use the STAR approach
Situation Task Action Result
If youre nervous: try the power pose

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_langua
After the interview
Thank the interviewer
Hand shake before you leave
Write a thank you e-mail within 24 hours of the interview
Dont discount hand written letters
Dont leave without their business card
Write down the questions they asked and evaluate your
performance
Other options for recruitment
AAPG/SEG Student Expo in Houston
Rocky Mountain Rendezvous
West Coast student Expo
Eastern Section Expo

Company websites!
Outline
Definitions and oil industry overview
Types of jobs offered in the oil and gas industry based on
degree
Overview of recruiting companies at UH (2014)
Resume writing
Interview tips
Networking
Q&A
Networking
UH Alumni Events
Check website for updates
GSH, HGS events
Weekly seminars/talks
National meetings (AAPG, SEG)
LinkedIn
Shake hands, make good first impressions, follow up
afterward (but dont pester or be annoying)
Dont discount networking
Its not what you know, its who you know
Other resources
http://www.api.org/story/index.html
http://www.adventuresinenergy.org/
http://api.org/oil-and-natural-gas-overview/exploration-and
-production
Ways to increase your marketability
Present work at annual meetings
Publish papers
Attend short courses
Participate in the IBA competition
http://www.aapg.org/iba/
Be active in student groups (Wildcatters, Wavelets,
GeoSociety)
Closing remarks:
Be a world-class scientist
Dont ever be average
Be passionate, inspire others
Make everyone around you better
Be resilient- dont be discouraged if you
dont land the top job from your first
interview, even great candidates are
passed up due to reasons out of their
control
Outline
Definitions and oil industry overview
Types of jobs offered in the oil and gas industry based on
degree
Overview of recruiting companies at UH (2014)
Resume writing
Interview tips
Networking
Q&A