Interviews

Hi Jocky,

First off I’d like to say thanks to all who contribute to this Forum. Although this is my first post here I have found it an excellent resource over the last few months so cheers!

With regards to your interview Jocky most companies nowadays will give a list of requirements when calling you for the interview. Standard items can include; CV, passport sized photo and photocopies of your training and quals certificates. Regardless of how detailed the email or letter calling you for an interview is I always phone up to confirm the time, date and place. Then I can ask for other info, especially what the format of the interview will be. For example if they say it will be a technical interview, ask as to what level or area it will be aimed at. The more you know before hand, the better you can be prepared.

On that note you mention you have an interview coming up. It doesn’t happen to be next week in Aberdeen for Subsea 7 per chance? The reason I ask is because I myself will be attending an assessment afternoon on Monday. This comprises personal and technical interviews and a psychometric test. I couldn’t get any more details on the technical element though. I believe they are holding morning and afternoon sessions all through the week for the RE-TRAIN scheme.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

You need to know your Health and safety stuff, how you would do a risk assesment, so when talking about previous work tell them the safety culture you worked in. Safety is a big thing offshore at the moment, some people have been threatened with running off for not using the trailing hand technique when descending stairs, the end of 2006 was a bad time in the north sea for accidents, so make sure you understand H&S, it wont get you the job but will give you an edge
Best of luck
(as long as your not ex RAF) 😆

a lot of companies now are looking for the technical know how and will grill on your said background, Hydraulics or electrical etc… be prepared to brush up. How tricky the questions are depends on whjo’s interviewing i guess

other things to watch for, emphasise that you enjoy being practical with things and that your are very hands ons. don’t waffle on about a stamp collection,

be confident and and expand on interview questions

If the companies any good then HSE training will be given, but general knowledge and understanding of what things are will be enough for starters

being ex forces another point to emphasise is that working odd rotations long or short is something you would be flexible on (until you get couple years experience)

this could be a good one for FAQ’s section

CptMorgans, I believe the level of technical questions will just be going through basic electronic and hydraulic diagrams ie. what is that, what does that do. etc. maybe differences between solenoid and servo V/V’s. I would brush up on the standard circuit symbols as well.

I believe the trainees are getting taken on just on a day rate, you dont get salaried until your made up to P/T, then you get all the benefits etc.

But as MechTech says, you are just a day rater and when the work dry’s up your gone! So you could find yourself still a trainee AND unemployed!

Dont worry about the expenses….this is the oil & gas industry, money is no objective!!

Good Luck.

Jocky

Yes, I did take my last two years assessments to the interview in place of a reference. The guy interviewing me for ss7 was an ex-RAF shinny so he knew what he was looking at. I got the job offer this morning :o, but I’ve already said ok to Fugro.

Obviously if you’ve got strait 2’s for everything and comments like ‘this guy’s a total waste of oxygen’ then leave them at home. 😀

The questions were dead simple, as long as you’ve got some idea how to read the pretty little pictures, and how to start to fault find. (Everyone here should be OK with the latter)

Good luck, and relax.

Matt.

Hi all

Thanks for the information regarding interviews especially Cpt Morgans cheers. I have an interview with tsmarine this friday and all the information gathered will help me brush up on my old electrical knowledge.
I was wondering if any ex-forces brought previous assesments to the interview aswell.

Fingers crossed for all the lad with up and coming interviews

Good Luck

Jocky 🙂

Hi Jocky

I had my interview with TSmarine last week as i was going offshore the following day. Im not sure if it was because it was quickly arranged or not but i didnt have to bring anything with me for the interview.

Good luck with it anyway!

Chris