Hornbeck just did a big recruit at MAMA in Norfolk which I of course missed being on a ship up north. Funny thing I’m now in P-goula and have zero time to do any looking, and I fly back out in a couple days. I’ll have to come back down on my own time/dime when I get a chance.
I went to that. I was the only non-ex-military person in there and the most experienced and highest credentialed commercial mariner there. Ironically I didnt get a job from that event, despite having an OSV 3000/500 Master and all the shit that goes with it. My friend who has an AB and a 100ton but no commercial experience did get hired. Go figure.
[QUOTE=tugsailor;136268]Those days are not over. Walk in still works at most companies anywhere in the USA. Its the only way it is done at the bayou boat companies (with a few exceptions, like Tidewater, Gulfmark, and Oceaneering).
By the way, i hear that Oceaneering only hires guys with unlimited licenses. I also hear that Hornbeck now wants to hire some unlimited licenses.
I am working on the West Coast, one of the guys on my boat just left for the Gulf, one just came back from a year in the Gulf, and we have another guy coming back after spending the winter months in the Gulf. So I am hearing a lot about working in the Gulf.[/QUOTE]
You are correct, walk in still rules in most companies. When I’m looking to hire someone I want them to come to my office for several reasons. I want to see how they dress and present themselves to others. If you can’t come in looking presentable and act professional with folks you have never met I’m not hiring you. When they arrive I like to sit down face to face and talk about their experience and pick their brain. People that are lying or bluffing about their experience or knowledge usually can be fished out when you’re sitting across a desk from them. Just by watching their body language you can pick up on a lot of things you otherwise wouldn’t know over Skype or a phone. With officers I pay close attention to how organized they are when I ask for a copy of their documents, certifications, etc… Some come in with a copy already made, an organized file folder and even a USB with scanned copies of everything for me to keep. I have unfortunately seen some that don’t even bring them, make several trips to the vehicle or a brief case that rivals a junkyard. Those guys don’t get hired. If they can’t manage the few things that are essential to them being employed how can they manage a vessel and it’s crew.
I know most prospective employees think a lot of office staff don’t like dealing with them and they’re partially correct. A company like ECO, HOS, etc… may get 100 plus applicants per day and a good portion are hard to deal with because they can’t follow basic instructions. When the receptionist tells you the Hiring Manager is not in today politely ask when would be a good time to come back. When she responds say thank you and come back then. Please don’t be the person who calls, and calls, and calls, and calls ALL DAY LONG. Companies have caller id and will remember you if you bug them enough. Contrary to what you think the receptionist or hiring manager doesn’t care about your problems in life or how bad your past employer is. I can’t tell you how many guys come in and bash their current or former employer thinking its impressing someone into hiring them. You’re there to pitch yourself as a valuable asset to their company. If you are just another applicant you will be more than likely treated as such.
[QUOTE=Saltine;136319]You are correct, walk in still rules in most companies. When I’m looking to hire someone I want them to come to my office for several reasons. I want to see how they dress and present themselves to others. If you can’t come in looking presentable and act professional with folks you have never met I’m not hiring you. When they arrive I like to sit down face to face and talk about their experience and pick their brain. People that are lying or bluffing about their experience or knowledge usually can be fished out when you’re sitting across a desk from them. Just by watching their body language you can pick up on a lot of things you otherwise wouldn’t know over Skype or a phone. With officers I pay close attention to how organized they are when I ask for a copy of their documents, certifications, etc… Some come in with a copy already made, an organized file folder and even a USB with scanned copies of everything for me to keep. I have unfortunately seen some that don’t even bring them, make several trips to the vehicle or a brief case that rivals a junkyard. Those guys don’t get hired. If they can’t manage the few things that are essential to them being employed how can they manage a vessel and it’s crew.
I know most prospective employees think a lot of office staff don’t like dealing with them and they’re partially correct. A company like ECO, HOS, etc… may get 100 plus applicants per day and a good portion are hard to deal with because they can’t follow basic instructions. When the receptionist tells you the Hiring Manager is not in today politely ask when would be a good time to come back. When she responds say thank you and come back then. Please don’t be the person who calls, and calls, and calls, and calls ALL DAY LONG. Companies have caller id and will remember you if you bug them enough. Contrary to what you think the receptionist or hiring manager doesn’t care about your problems in life or how bad your past employer is. I can’t tell you how many guys come in and bash their current or former employer thinking its impressing someone into hiring them. You’re there to pitch yourself as a valuable asset to their company. If you are just another applicant you will be more than likely treated as such.[/QUOTE]
Good summary, Saltine. Spot on.
[QUOTE=Saltine;136319]You are correct, walk in still rules in most companies. When I’m looking to hire someone I want them to come to my office for several reasons. I want to see how they dress and present themselves to others. If you can’t come in looking presentable and act professional with folks you have never met I’m not hiring you. When they arrive I like to sit down face to face and talk about their experience and pick their brain. People that are lying or bluffing about their experience or knowledge usually can be fished out when you’re sitting across a desk from them. Just by watching their body language you can pick up on a lot of things you otherwise wouldn’t know over Skype or a phone. With officers I pay close attention to how organized they are when I ask for a copy of their documents, certifications, etc… Some come in with a copy already made, an organized file folder and even a USB with scanned copies of everything for me to keep. I have unfortunately seen some that don’t even bring them, make several trips to the vehicle or a brief case that rivals a junkyard. Those guys don’t get hired. If they can’t manage the few things that are essential to them being employed how can they manage a vessel and it’s crew.
I know most prospective employees think a lot of office staff don’t like dealing with them and they’re partially correct. A company like ECO, HOS, etc… may get 100 plus applicants per day and a good portion are hard to deal with because they can’t follow basic instructions. When the receptionist tells you the Hiring Manager is not in today politely ask when would be a good time to come back. When she responds say thank you and come back then. Please don’t be the person who calls, and calls, and calls, and calls ALL DAY LONG. Companies have caller id and will remember you if you bug them enough. Contrary to what you think the receptionist or hiring manager doesn’t care about your problems in life or how bad your past employer is. I can’t tell you how many guys come in and bash their current or former employer thinking its impressing someone into hiring them. You’re there to pitch yourself as a valuable asset to their company. If you are just another applicant you will be more than likely treated as such.[/QUOTE]
What a great synopsis of the hiring process.
I see it everyday just at my B&B.
[QUOTE=Saltine;136319]…Some come in with a copy already made, an organized file folder and even a USB with scanned copies of everything for me to keep.[/QUOTE]
The thumb drive thing is GOLD. Thanks, Saltine.
Sadly its not just the O/S thats having a hard time. Im an AB limited with BST, PSC, and SafeGulf Card, Rigging and Crane safety training and I cant get a job as an AB or a O/S. Its like I have all the experience and paperwork for no reason.
And none of that means anything if you cant pass their physical. Unless you are in peak physical condition you need to find a box thats about 16-18 inches high and step up and down on it for 3 minutes at a time without your heart rate going up. If you cant do that then they wont hire you.
[QUOTE=“Bayrunner”]And none of that means anything if you cant pass their physical. Unless you are in peak physical condition you need to find a box thats about 16-18 inches high and step up and down on it for 3 minutes at a time without your heart rate going up. If you cant do that then they wont hire you.[/QUOTE
Only the majors. Why don’t some of you guys try someone besides ECO, HOS, HGIM. They’re not the only game in town. A job. Is a fucking job. You kids need to man up and consider other companies. Otherwise, go to an academy, get your U/L license, and start at the fucking top. Fucking pussies!
[QUOTE=Bayrunner;136764]And none of that means anything if you cant pass their physical. Unless you are in peak physical condition you need to find a box thats about 16-18 inches high and step up and down on it for 3 minutes at a time without your heart rate going up. If you cant do that then they wont hire you.[/QUOTE]
Well… it’s not like you have to be in “peak” condition… but yeah… if you have any health issues… high blood pressure etc… make sure it’s under control. You should be in reasonably good physical condition… walking a couple miles a day will do wonders for the mildly out of shape. It’s not like you have to hardcore pump at the gym to get the job. If you have had any surgeries…old injuries… be prepared with your medical information. It’s not impossible to pass these physicals… but they are tougher than the basic stuff you might go through with your own doctor for your MMC. It’s probably going to be tough at the big companies for guys with serious medical concerns… but with a little preparation, most guys should be able to pass them. (maybe lose a few pounds… get on bp meds, do some moderate physical conditioning)… Overall, not such bad things to do anyway since they can help you live longer.
Most companies with top tier equipment and top tier pay only want to hire guys who are in top tier health, say the top 10 percent of mariners. They don’t give a damn about you or your ability to do the job. They just assume that they can train any monkey with a license to do the job. They are at least partially self-insured, want to minimize costs, and have have a ridiculously overblown fear of lawsuits.
There is such a large surplus of licensed mariners available that top tier companies can afford to be very picky.
This ridiculous physical thing started in the Gulf, but it is spreading,
90 percent of us will have to work for lower tier companies and earn a couple hundred dollars a day less.
Below the top tier jobs in the Gulf, the rest pay about the same as jobs everywhere else in the country. The quality of working life in the Gulf is lower than in some other places. If you cannot get hired at a top tier company, there is no point in a licensed mariner with a decent job going to the Gulf. You can make the same money and be a lot happier right where you are now.
Funny they have captains and chiefs etc who are fat fuck heavy tobacco users who thrive on fried everything that are grandfathered into the system!
[QUOTE=z-drive;136798]Funny they have captains and chiefs etc who are fat fuck heavy tobacco users who thrive on fried everything that are grandfathered into the system![/QUOTE]
They apparently passed the physical at some point… lol. I don’t think it’s that only 10% can pass… I am sure it is probably more like 10-20% of people that can’t pass due to a medical issue.
It seems like the people that have the most trouble are ones who have had fairly major medical issues in the past… and the problem is that even if their doctor has cleared them… the company docs don’t. It might be because a guy with a former back injury is a big liability? Shoot… go down the road and see all those ambulance chaser lawyers asking for guys to contact them so that they can sue their employer. No wonder the higher tier companies want to avoid that… like they really want to get sued for millions for a guy who really tweaked his back years ago.
The blood pressure/cholesteral/weight issues coming in the door are things that the mariner can “fix” before they even get to the company doc. Anyone reading these forums can see that the physicals (at least at the bigger companies) are pretty thorough… and if you have a major medical problem in your past… well… your chances aren’t zero… but it isn’t a sure thing. Of course, if you know your BMI is in the “obese” range and that your BP is running high… you owe it to yourself to get that under control before you even walk in their door right?
Friend of mine who left gov’t is now working in the lakes and he loves it. AB. Check out the companies in the Great Lakes.
A friend of mine went down there about 1 1/2 year ago. He weighed about the same as me, was 25 years older, and had 2 fake hips. He passed the physical (as it was then) and is now happily employed. I passed everything but this “step test” that he didnt have to do and doesnt think he would be able to pass now. He has even lost close to 70 pounds. I can do the test for the full time because when I was training for it I would go 5 minutes instead of their 3. The problem is that they keep stopping me because my heart rate goes to high.
If all the major companies start these types of tests they will lose 3/4 or more of their workforce. But yes I understand that the top tier companies can afford to be picky. Eventually they will force us fat Americans out and hire philipenos at 1/4 the price.
For the record I am a little overweight and I am on BP meds yet I can still outperform my much younger, much skinnier deckhands on deck. Its a little frustrating to put the time and money into all the classes I took and the training I did to get myself in better shape to pass their physical to just turn around and go home empty handed. Luckily I already have a decent paying job.
But go ahead and call me names and call me a pussy and a crybaby and such, I know how much we mariners love to revel in the frustration of others.
These new company physicals are blatant age and perceived disability discrimination that have nothing to do with ability to do the job.
The physicals are about maximizing company profits by minimizing healthcare costs, not about ability to do the job. These physicals are an opportunity for quacks that couldn’t make it as real doctors treating real patients to make money whoring themselves out to companies as occupational medicine specialists.
If this company physical nonsense continues to grow half the population of America will be permanently out of work on disability. Who is going to pay for that?
There are lots of guys that passed the physical when they got hired, but could not pass it now. The physicals keep getting tougher and tougher as healthcare costs go up. People keep getting older and fatter.
The youngest guy on my boat is in his 50’s. The oldest is 73. None of us can pass a top tier Gulf company physical. I worry about not having any young bulls in the crew for cargo lashing, but these guys work smart and work their asses off too.
The good news is that you can learn to pass the YMCA step test. I’m at least 25 years old than you are and I have a beer belly that is all paid for, but I can pass the YMCA step test with flying colors. Unless your arteries are all clogged up from decades of fast food and southern fried everything, you can work your way up to passing the step test. No problem.