Breaking into oil and gas industry from bank
Dear Jarus
I was privileged to know about you via Nairaland. Although I am a passive member, I must say that you have been very resourceful and supportive.
I am currently with a bank as a Business/Financial Analyst. I have almost seven years’ work experience all in the banking industry and my current grade is Senior Banking Officer.
Also, I am currently undergoing recruitment for a major oil company owned by the government. I desire to leave the banking industry for the Oil and Gas industry but it does not appear it will come easy.
Recently, I applied for a role with another oil company, a private company. Upon getting to the case study/interview stage, I could not proceed further. My guess though is my lack of experience in the Oil and Gas industry to seek your advice and guidance on how best to position oneself for a successful career switch between one industry to another.
I will also appreciate a career “mentor-mentee” relationship with you. I believe with your wealth of knowledge and exposure, you will be very instrumental and impactful towards my career trajectory. Most importantly, being that this is a major goal for me in 2020.
Thank you so much in anticipation for your kind consideration.
I hope to read from you soonest.
Tunde
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Dear Tunde
Thanks for the kind words.
On breaking into the oil and gas industry, it’s always a little tight for those who did not start from the industry, at experienced hire level unlike some of us that started from the industry after NYSC.
The oil and gas industry is a small industry and the skills are limited, people tend move around within the industry. Most companies really don’t have the time and patience to train people so they prefer people with industry experience who will hit the ground running.
But this does not mean that people who did not start from the industry cannot break into the industry at experienced hire level. For support functions like Finance, HR, experience in a top audit firm like PwC, KPMG, Deloitte may be helpful. Experience is bank is also not bad as I have seen people move from bank into oil and gas industry.
That government oil company job is your surest route as they are more open to relaxing the oil industry experience requirement, so let’s hope that the result comes out later this year.
To do well at future opportunities like you had during your last private oil company interview, I will advise you get more conversant with oil and gas industry. Be close to the industry, follow industry news and hope you have decent qualifications eg ICAN or ACCA. Never underrate the role of premium interview coaching too, especially coming from a disadvantaged position, not having industry experience. A little investment will not be bad.
Networking is another important tool. Try to make friends with folks that work in the industry. Sometimes, some roles are filled by recommendations.
I’m open to mentor-mentee relationship, but it’s extremely tight to get my full attention. I have close to 50 people I mentor and it takes my time. But I can occasionally respond to your messages if you have any career advice you want to bounce off me.
I wish you all the best.
Jarus
