Thread regarding Chevron Corp. layoffs

laidoff Engineer over 50 years old are dinosaur

I read another postings and I had the similar experience. I am 55 years old and worked 30 years in the oil industry. I was laid off 18 months ago from DWEP as a reservoir engineer and did not have any luck in securing a job. The job advertisements that I saw are all asking for a few years of experience (thus half the salary). I answered to all of them (in the last 18 months) but did not land any interview. What is your experience?

Below are the past 2 weeks openings that I have seen:

BHP - Specialist III Reservoir Engineer -- min 5 years experience

BHP - Principal I Reservoir Engineer - min 8 years experience

Kinder Morgan - Reservoir Engineer - 8 years experience required

Omega AS - Reservoir Engineer - 10 years experience required

Occidental Petroleum - Reservoir Engineer - Simulation - 5 years experience required

Noble Energy - Reservoir Engineer III -Business Development - 5 years experience required

Oasis Petroleum - Reservoir Engineer, Business Development - 6 years experience required

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Post ID: @OP+O1yR1ml

19 replies (most recent on top)

Is Chevron any place for older women? Or are you only referring to men?

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Post ID: @dibd+O1yR1ml

Chevron is no company for old men. Unless you are a related to a manager.

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Post ID: @dswu+O1yR1ml

@djlq, I'm sure your advise is well intended and may be suitable for some of the late 40's to early 50's (not quite dinosaurs). I am 58 and being a physically and mentally fit person, I still want to work. For me, playing games like hiding references to my age in a CV, just to find out later in an interview or background check what your age is (like if it should matter). I post for job that i think the hiring company would appreciate experience and pay for it too.

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Post ID: @dnrt+O1yR1ml

Keep chevron off your resume. Word is out on the street that most of the employees do not have any skills and have neglected them

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Post ID: @dadr+O1yR1ml

To dwvi and other 'dinosaurs', do not put the year you graduated from college and any other dates that will obviously give away your age. If you have only worked for Chevron, then don't put down dates of employment or the number of years you have worked. It is not unethical to do this and may snag an interview or two. The truth will eventually be revealed in interviews or job applications or background checks. You just have to do what you have to, to increase your odds.

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Post ID: @djlq+O1yR1ml

You are seemingly right, czcz. I will give that a shot since I've been forcefully retired for two years now and after 30 applications and 2 interviews, nothing is going right. I think it's my steller resume that's holding me back. I'm over-qualified for the jobs I'm applying to. I'll swallow some pride and tone down the resume to be just an average Joe.

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Post ID: @dwvi+O1yR1ml

Only 8 to 15 years experience? Not like you gain that experience in a snap of two fingers. Lol.

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Post ID: @bedm+O1yR1ml

@O1yR1ml: Below are what I saw in the last few days..... time to continue with your anti-depression medication.

Marathon Oil Houston – posted 4 days ago - Surveillance Reservoir Engineer II ; only requires minimum 3 years of experience

Petroplan Houston – posted 2 days ago – Reservoir Engineer; only requires 5 years reservoir engineering experience

Apache Houston – posted 3 days ago – Engineer Reservoir III; only requires 8 – 15 years experience

Occidental Petroleum Houston - posted 5 days ago – Sr Reservoir Engineer ; only requires 8 years of reservoir engineering experience

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Post ID: @behs+O1yR1ml

What are you guys even THINKING???? I'm 56, have no where NEAR the credentials that the OP has and I found a job that I love after being laid off for 1.5 years!!! I did really look hard, though, someone called me and offered me a job when they needed help. I am not hurting for money and the pay is a little less, but not significantly less. No one in engineering, facilities, or anything where O&G absorbs a large percentage of the workforce has had much pay increase, in fact most have been stagnant for the last couple of years, so no big deal. I think the OP title is very misleading, if not downright pure fiction. Over 50 and you're a Dinosaur? Hardly. We have many over 60 in my group and can't get enough experienced talent. The millennials all want perks, short hours, high pay, bennies and not have to work hard for it! They know nothing and the're coming out of the woodwork!! they're like a dime a dozen, but expect 6 figures upon graduation. If over 50 are Dinosaurs then millennials are already extinct before they even start - LOL!

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Post ID: @5sel+O1yR1ml

@4lzm - That post is not gold. It makes common sense to most people, but when an unemployed person is already over 50, reality will show you it's not easy to be hired these days, despite the posters "golden" rules.

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Post ID: @4enk+O1yR1ml

@jsz This post is #Gold.

You are definitely not finished in this industry, but your chances of finding a job will be much better if you

  • Network, Network, Network,

  • Reach out to head-hunters,

  • Think outside the box what you can do.

PS...Strongly suggest you look for some sort of work (even part time) just to have it on your resume and stay in a employable mindset. I drew a very very small salary as a consultant to a friends company , but it looked good on my resume while I was out looking.

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Post ID: @4lzm+O1yR1ml

Having an employment gap after what has happened over the last 2 years is no big deal. Everyone in this industry knows what has happened. There are tens of thousands of professional oil people who have lost their jobs. If anyone holds this against you, then they are a major league A-hole.

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Post ID: @1zrw+O1yR1ml

At 55, you still have a lot of years left to work, mentor, teach, and/or manage. I wouldn't worry about the 18-month gap on your resume, because if there were plenty of jobs then there wouldn't be a gap. Employers are very aware of this as they sort through larger volumes of competitive resumes. The gap can be filled with training and volunteer work, exploring new hobbies, learning new skills (and/or available contract work if you can find it). Layoffs are still occurring, but not forever. Stay vigilant.

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Post ID: @nzq+O1yR1ml

Should've got out of deep water and into unconventionals. Everyone wants to hire that experience now

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Post ID: @ewx+O1yR1ml

At 55, your chances at any good job are practically out the window. Especially now that you are still out of work after 18 months. You either didn't try hard enough to gain employment faster or by now, prospective employers are perceiving the long gap in unemployment had a negative reason attached. Sorry man, you are looking at an uphill battle. Your best chances at work, if possible, would be contract work of any kind.

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Post ID: @tyl+O1yR1ml

You are definitely not finished in this industry, but your chances of finding a job will be much better if you

  • Network, Network, Network,

  • Reach out to head-hunters,

  • Think outside the box what you can do.

PS...Strongly suggest you look for some sort of work (even part time) just to have it on your resume and stay in a employable mindset. I drew a very very small salary as a consultant to a friends company , but it looked good on my resume while I was out looking.

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Post ID: @jsz+O1yR1ml

Fortunately for me I was able to lateral over to a non-OG position, it did however take a number of months. I avoided anything upstream or in Oil/Gas production. The jobs are out there, you will have to be willing to relocated as well..

Prepare to take a Salary hit as well ~10%

Head hunters help a lot too if you get a good one

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Post ID: @amw+O1yR1ml

Stay positive. Anyone should want your experience. My impression is that they do not want people with less experience, so have set a minimum requirement. The more experience you have the better. Don't be discouraged. These are hard times for many, many, qualified workers.

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Post ID: @xny+O1yR1ml

May want to spend your time checking out burial plots, caskets, headstones. You are finished in this industry. May want to think about a career change.

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Post ID: @teh+O1yR1ml

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