How to Find and Apply to Oilfield Jobs in Canada

Oilfield jobs have attracted workers from all across Canada. Finding and applying for the best oil and gas jobs will require research and dedication. You will find helpful job-hunting tips in this post.

Learning how to write your oil and gas resume or contacting a resume writer with experience writing in the oil and gas industry will save you abundant time and frustration.

Learning how to write your oil and gas resume or reaching out to a resume writer, like myself, with 16 years of experience writing in the oil and gas industry, will save you an abundance of time and frustration. You are ready to apply once you have your keyword-rich, accomplishment-based online, friendly resume or CV targeted to the oil and gas jobs you wish to secure.

The greatest concentration of onshore oilfield work is in Alberta but can also be found in pockets of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, and Quebec. If working offshore oil rigs is of interest to you, you may wish to look at the East Coast, as well as the Arctic shoreline.

Based on the news in the energy, oil, and gas industry, Grande Prairie, AB, and many other areas should see increased exploration, development, and production. Many oilfield workers have waited for an upward swing after a long downward slump.

Since Alberta has the most abundant oil wealth, particularly the Athabasca Oil Sands (also known as the Athabasca Tar Sands), this is a good place to start your job search.

Regardless of whether you are entering an oil field job for the first time or have years of oil rig experience, northern Alberta is a great place to target your resume. Grande Prairie, AB, has been known as one of the top cities for hiring oil field workers of all levels, from operators, consultants to truck drivers to dispatchers.

Oilfield Well Servicing or Energy-based Companies to Find Employment

  • Suncor Energy– An integrated energy company exploring, developing, and producing conventional oil and natural gas onshore and offshore.
  • Syncrude Canada Ltd.– Syncrude is one of the largest crude oil producers from Canada’s oil sands. They operate a large oil sand mine, utility plant, bitumen extraction plant, and upgrading facility that processes bitumen and produces value-added light, sweet crude oil for domestic consumption and export.
  • Nabors Industries Ltd. is a contract-based drilling company focusing on land drilling, workovers, well-servicing rigs, oilfield hauling, engineering, civil construction, logistics, facilities maintenance, and project management.
  • Savannah Energy Services Corp– An energy business concentrating on coil tubing, vertical drilling, horizontal drilling, and overall well servicing.
  • Weatherford– An oilfield service company that focuses on all aspects of the life cycle of a well: drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention.
  • Ensign Energy Services– An oilfield company that specializes in land-based drilling, directional drilling, and well servicing of crude oil, natural gas, and geothermal wells
  • ConocoPhillips Canada– An oil and natural gas production and exploration company with positions that focus on technology, innovation, and sustainable development.

Related: Have you considered changing careers out of the oil and gas sector?

Additional Places to Find and Apply for Oil and Gas Jobs

For more information, try the Canadian Oilfield Service and Supply Directory (COSSD) – Canada’s most comprehensive oil patch directory specifically focusing on service and supply companies operating in Canada’s Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.

The COSSD is the most widely used industry-accepted directory, with over 26,000 listings in over 1,900 specialized oilfield categories. This resource has an unmatched track record in targeted distribution and market penetration and makes the COSSD the definitive guide to Canada’s oil and gas industry.

Oilfield Job Shop is a website that finds oil and gas jobs from job boards, social media sites, recruiters, and other online resources. They have a search function on the site to make it easy to find available job opportunities that meet your needs, including geographic region.

Note: the above is not an exhaustive list, as there are many more companies that you may wish to research and apply to. Once a company has hired you and has established a good reputation with your Tool Pusher/Rig Manager, it is easy to request a transfer to open positions at different rigs or locations. Though often than not, when oilfield workers find a rig and crew they enjoy, they are far more likely to stay with it.

Not only is there an opportunity to try out different locations when working in the oil field, but you can also advance to new positions and test out different rigs. If you are looking at the drilling aspect of the oilfield, these are the positions that you can work your way through:

  • Floor Hand
  • Motor Hand
  • Derrick Hand
  • Assistant Driller
  • Driller
  • Tool Pusher/Rig Manager
  • Consultant

Once you have reached the Consultant level, you may wish to work in an office in one of the bigger centers or work onsite and travel from rig to rig. Regardless of the oil field job classification you wish to end up with, remember that you must be committed to hard work, teamwork, a healthy and active lifestyle, and continuing education.

Various types of oil rigs and drilling that may interest you are:

  • Vertical Drilling
  • Slant or Directional Drilling
  • Offshore (Platform) Drilling
  • Single Rig (the most common type of small drilling rig)
  • Double Rig
  • Triple Rig

Each type of operation has its unique qualities and speed. You may want to test which rig or platform suits you best, particularly as you advance to the assistant or driller level. An oil field job is a great place to work if you like long hours, a fast pace, and large paychecks. A solid resume and cover letter are essential for the transition if you have never worked in this sector or are looking to upgrade to a better position.

If you are brand new to the industry or fairly junior in the ranks, you must possess a few qualifications or pursue what is required.

Tickets that are required to work in the oil field:

  • WHMIS
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
  • Fall Protection
  • Fall Rescue
  • Confined Space Entry and Rescue
  • Standard First Aid Level C/CPR/AED
  • H2S Alive
  • Ground Disturbance

The soft skills you should try to cultivate include your resume:

  • Communication (Written and Verbal)
  • Interpersonal
  • Organization
  • Time Management
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail

As mentioned above, it is also crucial to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. This means concentrating on a well-balanced diet, adding exercise to your routine, and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle. Each company performs drug tests, which is imperative to hold a position in the oil field. Remember that sedentary positions can lead to health problems as you climb the ranks. Stay fit in your downtime by developing a solid workout routine and adding different exercises or sports as the

Remember that sedentary positions can lead to health problems as you climb the ranks. Stay fit in your downtime by developing a solid workout routine and adding different exercises or sports as the seasons change. For instance, if you are an avid cyclist, consider bringing a recreational bicycle or mountain bike to your location. In the winter, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski. Many oil field camps also provide their employees with small gyms, basketball courts, or workout spaces. If you aren’t staying in camp, consider a membership at the local gym, or find a popular franchise throughout the region, allowing you to attend the gym, regardless of location.

Now you’re wondering, “How does this help me get a job?” Maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle is important to hiring managers. They want to know their employees can pass a drug test, perform excruciating physical tasks in all types of weather, and are committed to staying fit. Include these items in your cover letter. You don’t need to dwell on the topic, but add a line or two at the end of your cover letter, demonstrating your physical abilities and willingness to work long hours in fluctuating climates.

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In addition, if you are unsure if this is the right industry for you, or you would like to learn more about how to conduct an effective oil field job search, don’t hesitate to contact Candace, the owner of the Canadian Resume Writing Service, today via toll-free: 1 877 738 8052 or email  candoco@telus.net.

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