At the Gulf companies 90 percent of it is timing — just happening to show up on a day that they need someone today with your credentials. With the exception of academy kids, they do hire in anticipation of who they may need next week.
Most people want to work for one of the top five largest and highest paying companies. Obviously, they cannot hire everyone.
The top five are also the most fussy about physicals, pre-existing medical issues, age, and weight. They seem most concerned about any kind of back injury, age over 55, or being more than about 20 percent overweight. At some companies a significant percentage of the people they make offers to, end up flunking the physical. So, the first thing they ask themselves is “does this guy look like he can pass the physical.” If you don’t, they are not going to make an offer.
Most companies want to know what you are making, or have made, in your previous jobs. If you are making the same money now as they would start you out at, or worse you are making more, they are probably not going to hire you. For an older guy with experience, this is apt to be a problem at most of the smaller companies. Some interviewers do not like to hire guys that are working for a lot less than the company is paying. The idea being that if they are working that cheap, that must be all they’re worth.
Most companies are reluctant to hire guys who are “overqualified” with a “big license” for their fleet of predominantly smaller tonnage boats.
Another factor is how close do you live to the job. Most companies do hire people from everywhere, but most prefer people who live within easy driving distance.
Having previous Gulf experience is a huge advantage at the Gulf companies. Just like having New York experience is a huge advantage at the NY companies, or as having Alaska experience is at the Alaska companies. No surprise there.
Knowing someone at a company who is respected and will vouch for you is huge at any company anywhere.
Interviewing is an important skill that must be learned. Interviewing with corporate HR professionals, is a very different thing than interviewing with owners, operations managers, or former boat captains.
Most companies hate “job hoppers” and “dollar chasers.” Every interviewer is asking himself “will this guy stay here or is he just going to use us as a stepping stone.”
The top five companies that have their own orientation and safety training, may not care whether you already have SafeGulf, Rigging, and HUET. They will send you to their own classes anyway. The smaller companies certainly seem to prefer to hire people who already have the safety training certificates.
Having DP Basic is an advantage. Mostly it shows some commitment and willingness to invest in yourself. I highly recommend it for anyone who is under 45 and healthy looking. But it is not a significant advantage for most guys over 55.