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Though cover letters are not always necessary in the oil and gas industry, it is still imperative to have one prepared in the case that a hiring manager asks for it. You can expect this to happen in higher-level roles such as Project Manager, Site Superintendent, or Health & Safety Inspector.
No matter the role, an oil and gas cover letter should always hit the same seven principles in 350 words or less.
1: The introductory paragraph should mention your current title and your number of years of experience.
Example — Oil & Gas Superintendent: “I am a reflective, results-driven, and team-oriented professional offering 15+ years of success fulfilling the role as Mechanical Superintendent with Husky Energy.”
2: Include the name of the position you are applying for as well as the company name.
Example — Oil & Gas Maintenance Manager: “I am keen on extending my expertise in identifying cost-saving measures, inventing new processes, and making positive contributions to attain bottom-line results within Suncor Energy Inc.”
3: Briefly discuss your current role or project and highlight the transferable skills that you will bring from that role to the one you are applying for.
Example — Oil & Gas Health and Safety Advisor: “At this point in my career, I am seeking the opportunity to transfer my vast HSE industry knowledge and problem resolution expertise to Conoco Phillips, where I can ensure that all aspects of the company’s safety management systems and programs are rolled out and functioning efficiently.”
4: Choose 3-5 achievements from your oil & gas resume to include in your cover letter as a ‘sneak-peak’ into what the hiring manager will see in the resume.
As a professional in the oil & gas industry, you may have the privilege of highlighting key projects, such as a multi-million dollar rig installation or a drilling venture that required extensive planning and team coordination. Hiring Managers also love seeing perfect Lost Time Incident ratings and a proven dedication to safety.
5: Mention your academic background and current certifications that relate directly to the role you are applying for (i.e. First Aid, CPR, H2S Alive, AutoCAD, OSHA Training, etc.)
6: Include a sentence or two about the company and how your values and work ethic will align well with the corporate culture.
Example: “Finally, I am confident that my strong leadership skills and project management expertise will secure Sunoco’s competitive advantage as one of the largest gasoline distribution companies in North America.”
7: Thank the hiring manager for their time and be enthusiastic about the opportunity to interview for the role.
How To Tailor Your Oil & Gas Cover Letter
It is incredibly important to tailor your cover letter for each role you apply to. This means more than including the position title and the company name in the introduction. You need to highlight specific achievements from your own career history and align them with qualifications that the hiring manager is looking for in this new role. |
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