Resources - Career Resource Centre

Find out more about the oil, gas & energy industry and discover resources to help you advance your career. You will find information on preparing for job interviews, resume and cover letter writing, salary negotiations, and visa information.

We will be developing this page with more and more great content to ensure that its kept up to date with the latest resources.

Everything on this page is free for you to use. We hope you find the content useful and wish you all the luck in the world in your quest for a new job and career.
All the best and good luck

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Interviews
It's almost impossible to receive a job offer without first attending an interview. The secret to a successful interview lies in the preparation; it's worth spending a little time doing your homework.
If you stick to a few guidelines though, you'll have no problem handling the interview questions you're faced with and breeze through your next job interview.

Before the interview
Preparation is the key. Here are a few things you might like to think about:

• Research the organisation, look at their website and read any news you can find about them
  
• If you're going for a change of career, research the sector. Look at industry association websites and magazines to get a feel for the latest developments
  
• Prepare answers to standard interview questions that form the basis of most interviews
  
• Be ready with a few questions for the interviewer, this shows you're keen and on the ball
  
• Check the format of the interview and find out who'll be interviewing you - it could throw you off if you unexpectedly have to face an interview panel of six people!
  
• Make sure you dress appropriately
  
• Re-read your resume/cv and application letter and take additional copies with you to the interview
  
• Plan your journey and check for any potential delays
  

At the interview
Ideally, you want to make a good impression in the first few minutes of the interview. Try to:

• Plan to get to your interview at least five minutes early. If you're going to be unavoidably delayed, make sure you let your interviewer know
  
• Always switch off your mobile phone before you enter the recruiters' building

Interview styles can vary dramatically; whatever the situation, try to remember:

• Be friendly and courteous to everyone you meet, from the receptionist onwards. You never know who might have a say in your appointment
  
• Use positive body language
  
• When answering interview questions, relate parts of the job description to relevant experience on your CV
  
• Make the most of your research and quote it where appropriate.
  
• If you face a panel interview, make sure you talk to everyone rather than directing your answers at one person
  
• Find out as much as you can about the job. For example, who would you report to? Why is the job vacant? What are the promotion prospects?
  
• Never mention salary unless prompted to do so - and even then try not to agree on specific numbers without being given time to think.
  
• Always let the interviewer finish speaking before giving your response
  
• When the interview is over, remember to ask when you can expect to hear back and what the next stage will entail

After the interview
It's always good to take stock of your overall performance, learn from the experience and prepare for the next step.

• Try to remember the interview questions you were asked and how you answered them to see if you could improve in future
  
• Remember to use any criticism constructively

More information can be obtained from many useful career advice websites on the internet covering resume/cv writing, cover letters and job interview techniques.

Visa Information
When seeking for jobs in countries around the world, it is a requirement to be eligible to live and work in those countries. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to your situation before applying for any jobs.

UK Border Agency- is the government agency responsible for visa services, work permits and immigration to the United Kingdom.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration and working in the United States of America.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada - best source of information about immigrating to Canada, working and settling in Canada, and Canadian citizenship.

Department of Immigration & Citizenship - official government agency for information about immigration, working and residency in Australia.