A good resume is your first key to success in the oil and gas industry. It is the first thing your potential employer will hear about you, and it will decide whether you are interesting to your potential employer. Often, many applicants possess the right skills for a job, but their answer rate is low because of the way they package their skills.

What Makes an Oil and Gas Resume Different?

Crafting a resume for the oil and gas sector is set to make the difference in your application—it must be the right shape and size to ensure the contents (your skills and experiences) are secure and presented well. Unlike other industries, an oil and gas resume needs to balance technical expertise with on-the-ground experience, reflecting the industry’s unique blend of rigorous skill requirements and practical, safety-first fieldwork.

What does your CV Say About you?

Your resume is the first thing your potential employer will learn about you, so you should view the CV as an immediate extension of your personality. In order to select the best candidate, recruiters look for certain signs that denote a candidate’s personality through their resumes:: 

A neatly structured CV can show that you are organized.

A simple and short (but relevant) CV can show that you are not the type to embellish your accomplishments, but you’d rather let your work do the talking.

A CV littered with spelling and design mistakes can show a lack of attention to detail, which is a major problem in the #oilandgas industry, where rules must be followed to the T

A highly vibrant and colorful CV may imply a creative personality, which could be a great asset in some jobs

Knowing to make your contact information easily visible can show that you are a great communicator.

Do you have any employment gaps on your CV? Check out our article to see what recruiters have to say about this

Top Skills for an Oil and Gas CV

Highlight key skills like safety management and technical know-how. Besides these, the skills that are the jewels of your resume, showcasing your capability and readiness for the role. Some of the most sought-after skills in the Oil and Gas industry are:

• Problem-Solving Skills: Demonstrate your ability to tackle complex challenges and devise effective solutions, especially in high-pressure environments.
• Teamwork Capabilities: Collaborative projects are the norm; your ability to work within multidisciplinary teams is crucial.
• Attention to Detail: Precision is key in avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring operational safety.
• Adaptability: The industry is dynamic; you should display your capacity to adjust to new challenges, technologies, and environments swiftly.

Writing Tips for your CV

Draft your resume with precision, using industry-specific terminology and tailoring it to reflect your unique contributions to past roles. Some writing tips are:

• Prioritize Contact Visibility Place your contact information prominently. Include essential details like your name, phone number, and LinkedIn profile at the top.
• Present Your Skills and Experience: Like a thoughtfully chosen gift, your resume should reflect the recruiter’s needs with a clear depiction of your education, skills, and experiences. Be honest and concise, ensuring each detail adds value.
• One of our recruiters, Lara Mosuro, highly encourages double or even triple checking before submitting a resume for missing or incorrect data. 
• Neatness, Clarity, and Simplicity: Design your resume with a clean, professional layout. Use a clear font and strategic white space to ensure your technical skills and experiences shine through.

Oil and Gas CV Template

To help you, we have uploaded some Oil and Gas CV templates to help you in your quest for the right job for you. You may use these as you wish, just ensure that you tailor it to your individual skills. Here is one filled in with the details of our mascot, Vinnie the Vortex.

Some Examples

Above are some examples of those same templates filled in with the details of some imaginary candidates, for your convenience. Feel free to use them for your future job searches with WTS or beyond.

With these tips, you are now one step closer to a polished CV for your next application. Taking the aforementioned recommendations into consideration is a must to improve your chances of getting further in the industry. This applies whether you are applying for your first job or switching from another sector. Try it yourself today!

Feeling like your CV is already top notch? If you are ready to apply, you can find a full overview of the jobs we offer here.