Although the U.S. oil and gas industry has enjoyed a secular expansion for much of the past decade, finding a lucrative job in the space isn't as easy as walking into a drilling office or calling up a connection in the industry. However, aspiring landmen who wish to invest in their future can take several steps to find meaningful, long-term work that builds experience and leads to future opportunities.
As in many other fields, it's crucial for aspiring landmen to cast wide nets. In practice, this means seeking and applying to as many positions as possible. For starters, entrants should check with industry-focused job boards and alumni organizations that are known to post oil and gas jobs as they become available. Although more experienced landmen can be picky, novices should worry less about the perceived quality of a particular opportunity and more about its potential to deliver much-needed experience and connections. As a rule, aspiring landmen who don't hear back from prospective employers within five or six weeks should re-send resumes and application materials.
Create a Memorable Resume and Cover Letter
Although the oil and gas industry goes through boom and bust cycles that can be disorienting for new entrants, it's always important for aspiring workers to have ready-made resumes and cover letters for opportunities that come along. Regardless of their existing skills, applicants should regularly update their resumes to reflect the latest training, experience and certifications that they've received. Even if little has changed during the period, it's useful to review and update resumes on a monthly basis.
Meanwhile, applicants should create unique cover letters for each individual opportunity. While it's generally acceptable to use a basic template for broad categories of positions, sending out generic, non-personalized form letters is frowned upon. Some level of customization is required.
Network with Like-Minded Professionals and Seek Training
Although the land business employs thousands of professionals, it retains a club-like atmosphere in which personal relationships and reputations are crucial to success. When they're starting out, aspiring landmen should attend as many industry conferences and social events as possible. While it's unseemly to network openly or in a manner that disadvantages others, there aren't any rules against establishing personal relationships with individuals who might be in a position to hire or contract with landmen.
Separately, it's crucial that landmen of all skill and experience levels seek supplemental training and certifications to keep abreast of changes in the business.
There are many notable and nationwide organizations for landmen, including the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), that offer training and certification programs and support for the community.
Set Reasonable Expectations and Notch Incremental Experience Gains
Like any aspiring workers, novice landmen shouldn't expect to enjoy runaway success overnight. In an industry that values experience and reputation, building a portfolio takes some time. Entry-level landmen should set realistic goals for individual projects as well as career-level achievements. Over time, those who prove themselves to be steady, reliable partners should earn feedback in the form of renewed contracts and lucrative positions.
Plan for Relocation, Layoffs and Other Interruptions
As a cyclical industry, the land business can be disorienting and discouraging for workers who prefer stability. It's quite common for landmen to be laid off for reasons wholly unrelated to performance. Responding to these setbacks in a positive, forward-looking manner is crucial to long-term success. Likewise, aspiring landmen must understand that job opportunities may require them to relocate to unfamiliar places and spend significant amounts of time away from their families and friends.
Final Thoughts
Landmen work in a rewarding but often volatile business. It's crucial for professionals who wish to go into the oil and gas business to maintain measured expectations, plan for future business interruptions and publicize their achievements and ambitions. While novice landmen won't earn coveted contracts right out of the gate, those who follow the aforementioned steps are liable to reap long-term rewards.
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