Offshore Jobs

**captmike** · October 26th, 2008, 11:54 AM

A bit of humble advice. WHen calling a company ask the receptionist for the name of the individual that actually does the hiring for the position you are seeking. Once you have that name, don't talk to anyone but that person. When you finally get them on the line, don't ask if they are hiring. Let him/her know when you will be in the area and that you would like to drop in and introduce yourself. You need to get that face time with the one that actually pulls the hiring trigger. Have a copy of your resume, license, certificates, etc... to give them whether they ask for it or not. Make them think you are sizing them up as much as they are sizing you up. Don't come off as either cocky or desperate. A certain level of professionalism and humility goes a long way towards making a good first impression.

Again, they key is to get in front of the right person. Odds are they won't make an appointment but if they are in the office when you are in town and they know you are going to drop in, they will take the time to talk to you. This way when you walk in and ask to speak a certain person and the receptionist asks if they are expecting you, you can say yes.

**MICrew843** · November 9th, 2008, 02:31 PM

Good advice Mike!
but what would you say the best plan of attack would be for someone that cant be there in person?

**captmike** · November 9th, 2008, 05:12 PM

persistence and luck

**MICrew843** · November 9th, 2008, 06:15 PM

wow thats reassurring.....well i have the persistence hopefully it pays off...

**cajuntugster** · November 10th, 2008, 12:44 AM

splash, micrew843, and others looking,
one of the things I have found is that companies down here in the bayou are very impressed if you can email or fax your resume in to them. I have had great responses from virtually all of the companies that i have contacted this way. They always gave me better responses than me just walking in the door..
If they can't accept an email and want a fax, you can get a free 30 day fax account through EFAX or MYFAX, again, when you call them on the phone and tell them you will be glad to email your resume, they seem to get impressed because as alot of the guys in the bayou know, technology is not as advanced here as it is on the coasts.
Everyone here is giving you good leads, but, I have been in your shoes too. It seems when you have a job, they are a dime a dozen but when you need one no one is hiring.
try Global towing in patterson, they are a family owned towing company. I have been here for 5 years. let me know if you need a number.
good luck
cajuntugster

**bayoumobboss** · November 10th, 2008, 12:53 AM

I will going to be laied off next year and will be looking for another job. I hold a 1600 ton master w/ oceans, STCW95 W/ arpa and gmdss. I'm on a casino vessel in Bossier City. Has the gulf slowed up any or is there still going good? What Co. are looking to hire?
Thanks

**argo** · November 10th, 2008, 09:16 AM

I must agree with the fellow job-seekers here. Getting a job is by no means impossible, but it definitely has slowed down.
There were a few shoreside companies that had a nice half year tanker half year office routine, but have hiring freeze now.
I sent resumes/applications to many companies in the tristate NY area where I live. Took two weeks to realize that it really wasn't going well, then applied to Gulf Coast, then Pacific coast.
Maybe it's me but is the Fall/Winter simply not good for hiring? I know for sure it's not good for the ferries around here, and ferries in general.
Finally, I found a job on a tug, small company, in the area actually, and I will be starting on deck. All in all it took around 70 days.
For most people I know 70 days isn't bad. However, comparing when I got out of school (Jan/08) applying for mate positions to the last month applying for ANY positions, there were more responses then than there are now!
I wish you the best of luck. I think your best bet is trying the smaller companies and making an impression with them. Simple reason I think is because usually there are a lot less people applying there and it becomes easier for them to remember you.

**MICrew843** · November 10th, 2008, 09:53 AM

wow 70 days....thats a long time in this economy...but thanks canjuntugster for the advice...im not to fond of the towing and tug jobs but if need be i will settle...i really wish there were more centralized areas where you could find exact opens for certian jobs. everything is so spread out but boy does this forum help.... may thanks to everyone who run the show here...hope to get to know everyone a little better...

**guest-** · November 11th, 2008, 04:58 AM

Cajun Tugster, am unable to find a listing for Global in Patterson.
Is that the company name?

**MICrew843** · November 11th, 2008, 07:10 PM

i found this online just searching around...
it doesn't tell what companies are still alive but it does have a big list...
i tryed contacting as many as i could and offering my resume...
but maybe it can help others too...
http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/5small/active/neuville.htm

**MICrew843** · November 11th, 2008, 07:11 PM

any more info is always appreciated...

**argo** · November 12th, 2008, 11:36 AM

nice list!
this might've been posted before somewhere, as i don't remember where i got it from, but it is a comprehensive list of most companies in the maritime industry in the world.
http://users.hal-pc.org/~nugent/company.html