Newspaper Want Ad Search:

Newspapers are a good way to make contact with recruiters wanting to fill current vacancies, but keep in mind that 65% plus of offshore jobs are not advertised in newspapers. Companies that do advertise in newspapers will be seeking entry level personnel as well as experienced hands.  

Sometimes you can call or write, sometimes you have to appear in person just to apply. If you're required to appear in person to apply, keep in mind this does not necessarily mean an offer for employment will be forthcoming. Also keep in mind that the employer might want you to head for the rigs yesterday. Be prepared for either event. If you apply in person and get hired, more than likely you will be required to go to work that day. Again, I would like to state that "I need to go home and get my stuff" will not win you any points and you will probably be politely told to go elsewhere. 

If you apply by phone, ask them what openings they have and request information for the one you feel most qualified to fill. If they want to send you an application, fill it out and mail it back with your resumé as soon as you get it. Again, let me stress the importance of having a current, professional resumé; one that presents you at your best. Anything less and you will be SELLING YOURSELF SHORT.

If you want to try the want newspaper ad route, here are some links that will help you get started. The first is a list of world wide newspapers. I have not checked out all these listings so I cannot tell you which ones will have ads for offshore / oilfield  / maritime jobs and which ones will not.

In the United States, there are always ads for offshore / oilfield / maritime personnel in The Times Picayune, a New Orleans, Louisiana paper and The Houston Chronicle, in Houston, Texas.

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Yellow Pages Search:

If you cannot find enough contacts in the above papers, you can look in the yellow pages. Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, Lafayette, LA, New Orleans, LA and Mobile, AL are the cities where the majority of the offshore drilling contractors, oil companies, maritime companies and special services companies in the US are located.

You can order (from the phone company) yellow pages telephone directories for these cities which will provide you with phone numbers and street addresses for all the major players. Using this method, you will make valuable contacts BEFORE you physically visit the cities. Doing this will more than likely save you a great deal of time, money and frustration.