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I've read various news reports and searched for threads regarding jobs in North Dakota. But there's something I don't understand. If "everyone"* in the Bakken requires one year of experience, why are so many non-oil businesses in the area struggling to retain workers? Where are they all going? Presumably someone would never take a job at the Williston McDonald's in the first place if they were already qualified to work for an oil company.
I'd also like to ask for elaboration on job prospects after completing a training program at WSU. I read in a thread here somewhere that recruiters show up for the floor hand program graduates. Are the recruiters showing up to hire everyone with decent grades, or are they there to fight over the same three guys while the other graduates chalk up the thousands of dollars they spent training to a "learning experience?"
*That's what a woman at the Williston office of Bakken Staffing told me.
Awesome question heh. I'm intrested too in fidning this out as i dont wanna waste my gi bill using it for the degrees there if the placement percentage is low
In reference to the first part of your question. Experienced vrs inexperienced.
It depends on when. The oil companies get word from Headquarters that they must have xx % experienced hands. So they'll hire anybody for a while until the numbers dictate that they have to have experienced only. Who knows, maybe the next 10 guys walk through the door and have experience so now the percentages are in favor so they can hire anybody again.
Buried somewhere in the hundreds of threads and thousands of posts was good advice that said, "Even if you walk in to apply and they tell you that they only hire experienced hands, doesn't mean that they won't tomorrow. So keep trying."
Originally posted by ElkHunter The oil companies get word from Headquarters that they must have xx % experienced hands. So they'll hire anybody for a while until the numbers dictate that they have to have experienced only. Who knows, maybe the next 10 guys walk through the door and have experience so now the percentages are in favor so they can hire anybody again.
Is there a discernible pattern to their timing, or is it completely random?
Is there a discernible pattern to their timing, or is it completely random?
Elkhunter did just sort of lay it out for you. It depends on what they need at the time. But, many folks hang in and keep applying. Many folks write about applying many, many times, and go back and smooze the head office front help, check in every day if you have too, don't be a nuisance, but do be persistent, get you name on the front of their minds. Be polite, be neat, mannerly, and always thank them for their time. Believe me, people discount the front office help, and seriously any place I have ever worked, they are the "gatekeepers" If you are graduating soon, I see jobs plenty on ND Jobs, also check out apprentice programs in your field on Dept. of Labor. The N.D. homepage check the various jobs links. And logic will tell you, since the oil field is being bombarded w/ so many applicants, there are going to be able to pick and choose, and I think the pay scale is gonna level out, especially once housing catches up w/ the job market in Williston. The days of "just showing up" are probably numbered now. I also used to see threads discussing the fact that some oil companies were putting there new hires through the course, so I assume they were paying to do so, not sure if that is still occuring. Do you have job placement help there on campus, I'd make that person my new best friend. Also, be proactive, start looking well before graduation for yourself. There is a wealth of information in the various threads, including company names etc. Good luck
Last edited by JanND; 02-10-2012 at 05:56 AM..
Reason: spelling
I'd also like to ask for elaboration on job prospects after completing a training program at WSU. I read in a thread here somewhere that recruiters show up for the floor hand program graduates. Are the recruiters showing up to hire everyone with decent grades, or are they there to fight over the same three guys while the other graduates chalk up the thousands of dollars they spent training to a "learning experience?"
It probably depends on what you majored in. Some degrees are going to be useful to them (petroleum engineering perhaps?) and some (history, philosophy, political science) won't be.
These are, after all, mostly blue collar jobs that don't require traditional four year degrees. Two year degrees in a skilled trade is probably a very different story.
Originally posted by Bhaalspawn It probably depends on what you majored in. Some degrees are going to be useful to them (petroleum engineering perhaps?) and some (history, philosophy, political science) won't be.
Are you guessing? I'm looking for someone with first or second-hand knowledge.
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