In today's competitive job market, networking has become an indispensable tool for professionals seeking new opportunities in dynamic industries like oil and gas, life sciences, and renewables. These sectors, characterized by rapid technological advancements and evolving market demands, often rely on personal connections and recommendations to fill key positions. A healthy professional network can provide insider knowledge about unadvertised job openings, offer valuable insights into company cultures, and even lead to personal introductions to decision-makers. For job seekers, regardless of what rung of the ladder you are on, the ability to tap into a well-nurtured network can be the difference between landing an interview and having a resume lost in a sea of applications.
By leveraging relationships built through industry events, professional associations, and digital platforms, candidates can position themselves at the forefront of hiring managers' minds, gaining a significant advantage in their job search. Whether you are a seasoned veteran within one of these mentioned in demand industries, or just starting out, networking can be a crucial step in securing your next role. If you are looking to advance your career, or obtain your first position, what and who you know is a vital skill for any professional.
Here are some effective tips to enhance your networking efforts:
1. Join Industry Associations
There are many associations and organisations out there for all industry professionals to join. for example, two of the main ones for oil and gas are the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). Being part of these communities can lead to a wealth of information and access to a variety of contacts in different stages of their career.
2. Attend Conferences and Events
Participation in industry conferences, trade shows, and seminars provide great opportunities to meet other professionals at many of the leading companies, and gives you the opportunity to learn about them, and more importantly, for them to learn more about you. There are a tremendous amount of energy and life science events around the world spanning the whole year, so attending some near you is a great way of meeting new people, and even discussing future recruitment opportunities.
3. Leverage LinkedIn
LinkedIn is becoming used more and more as a networking tool as well as a recruitment platform. Use it to grow your connections and start following oil and gas operators, biotech companies, and renewable energy firms to learn more about them and network with their key personnel; network with other professionals and peers; and sector related groups, of which there are plenty. And remember to engage! Don’t just follow them and stay silent, actively comment with posts to increase your own visibility. Also remember to optimise your LinkedIn profile with relevant skills and experience and keep it up to date.
4. Target Hiring Talent
As well as targeting the above, be more specific and look for company hiring managers. If you connect with them directly and are able to send them your CV, this puts you on their radar, or at the very least they should direct you to a course of action to follow.
5. Networking Online
As well as LinkedIn, engage in industry-specific forums, and social media to connect with other like-minded professionals. Engage in discussions and share relevant content to build your presence.
6. Utilise Existing Colleagues
If you are already working or have worked on a project or within an industry before, then speaking with your colleagues and sharing information is one of the most common methods of knowing what other projects and opportunities are on the horizon.
7. Specialised Recruitment Agencies
There are specialist recruitment agencies out there, like Orion Group, who focus specifically on energy, oil and gas, and pharma. By registering with them, you can make yourself visible to many more opportunities. Staying loyal to a recruitment firm means you can form a relationship with the recruiter who will know your schedule, skills and experience, and can offer you upcoming roles that are on the horizon.
8. Contact Companies Directly
If you have done your homework and have identified the main players in the industry of your choice, you’ll find that many have their own careers section on their websites, and registering with them directly will also help you expand your network and place your skills in front of the company.
9. Mentorship
If you are starting out on your career, one of the most overlooked ways in networking is looking for a mentor. This could be a family member, a friend already in the oil and gas or life science industry, or an online professional. Mentors can provide you with guidance, offer feedback to any questions, and share their wealth of experience. Seeking out these people will prove to be highly beneficial in the long run, so you don’t have to waste time figuring things out for yourself.
10. Be Proactive and Consistent
The above guidelines shouldn’t be carried out as a one-off when you need something, but should be actively managed on a consistent basis. This way you can still be kept up to date in sectors that are dynamic and always changing. You should always be on the lookout for new contacts, opportunities, or trends in your chosen sector, and be ready to act on them.
The Benefits of Successful Networking
Learning how to network successfully and growing your contact list can have a significant impact on your ability to achieve a new role. It’s not about the number of contacts you have, but about building long-term relationships and a good reputation for yourself over time – it can raise your professional profile and broaden your access to opportunities. Here are some of the key benefits of networking when it comes to securing a new role and furthering your career:
Skill Development: With your expanding network, you can learn about new skills that are in high demand within the industry. Examples could be on HSE, environmental compliance, sustainability, and technology. This knowledge can guide your professional growth, ensuring that you remain relevant in today’s marketplace.
Industry Insights: Being a part of industries that are constantly evolving and changing, learning about the latest developments, technologies, and market trends via your network is important for being kept up to date.
Collaboration: Key sectors like oil and gas, energy, and life sciences, often require working with multiple disciplines. Having a network that is made up of key personnel within these disciplines can make you stand out more knowing you have a connection or history with these professionals.
Exchanging Knowledge: Networking with peers and leaders, sharing ideas and discussing projects, can be very rewarding as it improves your industry knowledge and vision when it comes to solving problems and challenges ahead.
Credibility: In any role, your reputation is paramount. A strong network that can vouch for you, your skills, and expertise can go a long way. These personal validations will mean more to potential employers than a good-looking CV.
Gateway to Opportunities: The more you network, the more doors will be opened to you with opportunities.
Before you start reaching out to people, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from networking. Are you wanting to learn more about a specific topic, such as emerging innovation, regulations, or technology trends? Do you want to showcase your skills and achievements, and get feedback or referrals? Make sure you narrow it down so you can be precise and consistent when called upon to do so.
When networking, have an elevator pitch ready that clearly explains your background, interests, and what you’re seeking in your job search. Whether you are at an event, or just speaking to colleagues, always be prepared to present yourself clearly and confidently.
Following some or all of these tips and actively growing and engaging with your network will significantly increase your chances of attaining your next job. Being persistent, honest and open, and having a genuine passion for the sector will ensure that your network of like-minded professionals will appreciate what you can bring and make you an asset for any role or project. Remember – by starting your networking journey in the short term will mean these contacts could potentially turn into long-term relationships throughout the course of your career.
Connect with Orion Group
If you are thinking of taking your career to the next stage, then why not connect with Orion Group?
Orion Group specialise in connecting talented individuals like you with leading companies that value your specific expertise. By registering your CV with us, you’ll gain access to a wide range of oil and gas, energy and life science jobs, ensuring that your skills and experience are matched with the right role.
