I have over 15 years oil & gas experience and am coming to the end of a three-year contract, where I’ve worked as a senior cost engineer. Does the global economic downturn mean I should lower my earning expectations for my next assignment?
It’s understandable that media hype about pay cuts and recruitment freezes may have influenced your judgment, but there’s no reason why you should expect your earnings to drop upon accepting your next role.
You don’t mention your current location – if you’re seeking work in a different country or region, this could affect your income; with high risk oil & gas locations such as Nigeria, Angola or Iraq commanding higher rates than less volatile countries.
If you’re working on a contract basis, then you’ll probably be working through a recruitment agency, where they will happily manage the salary or rate negotiation process for you. With a good understanding of the market rate for your level of skills and qualifications, it is certainly worth contacting a reputable recruitment agency if you’re unsure about what kind of rate you should be looking for.
Make sure you position yourself favourably from the outset, with a CV, cover letter and interview technique that demonstrate the ways in which you meet the requirements of a role. Request a job spec for the role you’re applying for and assess every aspect of the requirements so that you're ready to convince the company that you're worthy of an impressive rate.
Remain assertive when it comes to salary or rate negotiation – oil & gas experience is highly sought after and the industry needs well qualified professionals with good experience, so keep this in mind when you’re looking for work.
