(09-28-2014 07:19 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  Scotian has a great point that is industry relevant. People like to talk up here, its the nature of the guys who work here. But if you want advice in a specific area look to people who are getting specific results.

Be cautious of people you work with who give you advice on any subject that they themselves are not successful in.

This goes for the forum too.

A good example on this would be I used my friends advice (who I think is about to join the forum!) to land a job in drilling and I used Scotians advice to make the move to Canada. Both had a track record of success and firsthand experience. Be careful of 'armchair oil sand guys' who are making speculative calls. This is in regards to both the forum and the patch.

If the person you meet isn't driving a massive truck, has an expensive coke habit and bangs Edmonton sluts on the reg they probably shouldn't be giving you advice!

Don't forget the tribal tattoo bro!

So I've finished reading the thread, a lot of fantastic info for people with an interest to head up north. I've made lots of notes and even have a few ins at a few companies already and some certifications. I have a question but haven't seen an answer for it in the thread, unless I somehow missed it.

How often to companies hire people fresh out of a trade school and fly them in/out of Calgary or elsewhere? As I am taking a welding course in March at SAIT but can't leave Calgary to live up north for a few years as I have other obligations that I cannot get out of.

Here is a list of job fairs this month, if anyone needs a ride to any of these (once I'm in town, provided I didn't already get a job and am working) hit me up!

http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-.../3227.html
http://alis.alberta.ca/ce/cp/cs/careerevents.html
https://www.albertaemploymentandcareerfair.com/ ---- this is a big one!
http://www.choa.ab.ca/news/172180/Edmont...r-Fair.htm
http://www.geoalberta.com/
http://www.mtroyal.ca/EmploymentCareers/...orlist.htm - in calgary geared towards grads of that university, links to a bunch of websites so you know whos hiring.
October 1, 2014

McDonalds Restaurant
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bonnyville Alberta Works Centre
5201-44 Street
Bonnyville
For more information, call Chris Hiebert at 780-840-2112

Red Deer Mini Job Fair
9:30 a.m. to noon
Red Deer Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor, First Red Deer Place
4911-51 Street
Red Deer
For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/centralalbertajobs

Meadowlark Towing Ltd.
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bredin Institute Work Source
101, 131-1 Avenue
Westgrove Professional Building
Spruce Grove
View the poster for more information

Value Village
Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor
10242-105th Street
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-4900
View the poster for more information

Walmart – Spruce Grove (Every Wednesday)
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bredin Institute Work Source
101, 131-1 Avenue
Westgrove Professional Building
Spruce Grove
View the poster for more information
October 2, 2014

Adecco Employment Service
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
St. Albert Alberta Works Centre
Provincial Building
30 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue
St. Albert
View the poster for more information
October 3 and 4, 2014

Alberta Employment & Career Fair
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Edmonton Expo Centre, Hall C
7515-118 Avenue
Edmonton
Free Admission and Parking!
For more information, visit albertaemploymentandcareerfair.com
October 7, 2014

Panda Express
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Meadowlark Canada-Alberta Service Centre
120 Meadowlark Shopping Centre
15710-87 Avenue
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-8116 Option 2
View the poster for more information
October 8, 2014

Drumheller Job Fair
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Badlands Community Facility
80 Veterans Way
Drumheller
Featuring more than 20 employers!
For more information, visit: http://www.facebook.com/CentralAlbertaJobs/events
October 14, 2014

National Oilwell Varco Fluid Control
9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Information Session
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Job Fair/Onsite Interviews
Cold Lake Alberta Works Centre
(next to Tri-City Mall)
408 Tri City Mall
6501B-51 Street
Cold Lake
For more information, call Chris at 780-840-2112
Closed noon to 1:00 p.m.
Bring your resumé
October 16, 2014

Wendy’s
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Argyll Alberta Works Centre
6325 Gateway Blvd.
Edmonton
Phone: 780-644-2873
View the poster for more information
October 21, 2014

UPS Canada
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Meadowlark Canada-Alberta Service Centre
120 Meadowlark Shopping Centre
15710-87 Avenue
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-8116 Option 2
View the poster for more information
October 22, 2014

Northlands
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor
10242-105th Street
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-4900
View the poster for more information

Agriculture Job Fair
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room 126
Main Floor, Provincial Building
200-5 Avenue South
Lethbridge
Phone: 403-388-7784
View the poster for more information
View participating employers and positions available
October 23, 2014

HMS HOST International of Canada Ltd
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Alberta Works Centre
4901-50 Avenue
Leduc
View the poster for more information
October 28, 2014

Igloo Building Supplies Group
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Meadowlark Canada-Alberta Service Centre
120 Meadowlark Shopping Centre
15710-87 Avenue
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-8116 Option 2
View the poster for more information
October 29, 2014

Oil & Gas Employment Fair
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Edmonton Hotel & Convention Centre
4520-76 Avenue NW
Edmonton
November 5, 2014

McDonalds Restaurant
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bonnyville Alberta Works Centre
5201-44 Street
Bonnyville
For more information, call Chris Hiebert at 780-840-2112

Red Deer Mini Job Fair
9:30 a.m. to noon
Red Deer Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor, First Red Deer Place
4911-51 Street
Red Deer
For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/centralalbertajobs
December 3, 2014

Red Deer Mini Job Fair
9:30 a.m. to noon
Red Deer Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor, First Red Deer Place
4911-51 Street
Red Deer
For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/centralalbertajobs

^^^^^^^^great post ^^^^^^^

We need more like this

√ Rep Added

(09-27-2014 07:38 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  ^Dude you have a degree and a real job - you are golden!

I got some great creative resume skills. I know what to write that they won't check and how to correctly write the stuff they will for maximum effect.
Also things like stapling a photocopy of your courses and driving licence plus clean record on the back (said this to some forum member lately who got hired at a job fair !? - can't remember who though. I got a few more tricks as well.

I am pretty sure that I can make anyone's resume ideal for getting hired.
If people are interested in this like the post above or PM me and if I get enough I will write up a more detailed post about how it would work.

Again this isn't about me cashing in - just it takes time to do this for people so a small fee is fair. I am still happy to tell people how to get hired for free, its just not practical when it comes to typing up resumes etc. for people.

In fact if other people had services like food programs for gym, visa forms filing etc. I would imagine that they could make some small extra coin too ( I would happily pay for a lot of small things that saves me time when I am not working) - Just a thought.

Sounds good to me I have finagled my resume quite a bit on my end, but to have someone who's in the industry actually put eyes on it is worth it's weight in gold. Just let us know when you have the frame work set up to do so

(09-28-2014 10:48 AM)Sundinology Wrote:  Finally finished reading the thread...didn't wanna ask any questions til I got to the end.

I'll be driving up from Ontario first week of Nov. Have a 4 x 4 sport utility, plan to trade it in a 4 x 4 pickup once I start workin (wish I could afford to do that now).

Only question I really have, I have seen a mention or two of getting physicals and fitness testing on top of the drug testing. Anybody gone through this? How fit are they expecting one to be? I'm currently 245lbs and 6'3", but hopefully by the time I get out there I'm down to 235ish...working out every day and eating proper in preparation. I have good strength, but my cardio could stand improvement...so I've been focusing on that. Thinking of joining a Crossfit gym for the next 4 weeks but truth be told I can't stand those type of workouts, think they would be good prep though for the patch.

A few people have commented on the physical and obviously I can't speak much on the actual physicality involved in working on the rigs, but I just done the physical exam myself on Friday, actually I did two haha. People have all ready laid out what's involved, but this isn't in line with what I had to do on Friday as far as the actual physical component of the exam i.e lifting shit up and putting it back down.

It is by no means difficult, it involves picking a 100lb box up, walking back and forth across a room, putting it down, picking it up etc. Now this will be easy for you to do especially considering your size. But there is another component that I think you should be aware of especially as you've mentioned cardio.

While doing the physical you will have a heart rate monitor attached to your chest. After doing each station of the physical your heart rate will be taken, if it is above a certain bpm you will asked to sit out for a certain amount of time after which your bpm will be measured again. If it has not recovered then you will fail. I'm letting you know because this is what happened to a guy at my physical. He was a big and had no problem lifting the weight but he had a bit of a belly and his heart rate monitor kept blowing up. He recovered a couple of times but eventually it caught up him and he failed. This may not be an issue for you but just something to be aware of

(09-29-2014 01:03 PM)Seanchaí Wrote:  

(09-28-2014 10:48 AM)Sundinology Wrote:  Finally finished reading the thread...didn't wanna ask any questions til I got to the end.

I'll be driving up from Ontario first week of Nov. Have a 4 x 4 sport utility, plan to trade it in a 4 x 4 pickup once I start workin (wish I could afford to do that now).

Only question I really have, I have seen a mention or two of getting physicals and fitness testing on top of the drug testing. Anybody gone through this? How fit are they expecting one to be? I'm currently 245lbs and 6'3", but hopefully by the time I get out there I'm down to 235ish...working out every day and eating proper in preparation. I have good strength, but my cardio could stand improvement...so I've been focusing on that. Thinking of joining a Crossfit gym for the next 4 weeks but truth be told I can't stand those type of workouts, think they would be good prep though for the patch.

A few people have commented on the physical and obviously I can't speak much on the actual physicality involved in working on the rigs, but I just done the physical exam myself on Friday, actually I did two haha. People have all ready laid out what's involved, but this isn't in line with what I had to do on Friday as far as the actual physical component of the exam i.e lifting shit up and putting it back down.

It is by no means difficult, it involves picking a 100lb box up, walking back and forth across a room, putting it down, picking it up etc. Now this will be easy for you to do especially considering your size. But there is another component that I think you should be aware of especially as you've mentioned cardio.

While doing the physical you will have a heart rate monitor attached to your chest. After doing each station of the physical your heart rate will be taken, if it is above a certain bpm you will asked to sit out for a certain amount of time after which your bpm will be measured again. If it has not recovered then you will fail. I'm letting you know because this is what happened to a guy at my physical. He was a big and had no problem lifting the weight but he had a bit of a belly and his heart rate monitor kept blowing up. He recovered a couple of times but eventually it caught up him and he failed. This may not be an issue for you but just something to be aware of

I'm gonna fail that heartrate test so bad

Good luck WC out there, keep us posted here.

(09-29-2014 01:03 PM)Seanchaí Wrote:  

(09-28-2014 10:48 AM)Sundinology Wrote:  Finally finished reading the thread...didn't wanna ask any questions til I got to the end.

I'll be driving up from Ontario first week of Nov. Have a 4 x 4 sport utility, plan to trade it in a 4 x 4 pickup once I start workin (wish I could afford to do that now).

Only question I really have, I have seen a mention or two of getting physicals and fitness testing on top of the drug testing. Anybody gone through this? How fit are they expecting one to be? I'm currently 245lbs and 6'3", but hopefully by the time I get out there I'm down to 235ish...working out every day and eating proper in preparation. I have good strength, but my cardio could stand improvement...so I've been focusing on that. Thinking of joining a Crossfit gym for the next 4 weeks but truth be told I can't stand those type of workouts, think they would be good prep though for the patch.

A few people have commented on the physical and obviously I can't speak much on the actual physicality involved in working on the rigs, but I just done the physical exam myself on Friday, actually I did two haha. People have all ready laid out what's involved, but this isn't in line with what I had to do on Friday as far as the actual physical component of the exam i.e lifting shit up and putting it back down.

It is by no means difficult, it involves picking a 100lb box up, walking back and forth across a room, putting it down, picking it up etc. Now this will be easy for you to do especially considering your size. But there is another component that I think you should be aware of especially as you've mentioned cardio.

While doing the physical you will have a heart rate monitor attached to your chest. After doing each station of the physical your heart rate will be taken, if it is above a certain bpm you will asked to sit out for a certain amount of time after which your bpm will be measured again. If it has not recovered then you will fail. I'm letting you know because this is what happened to a guy at my physical. He was a big and had no problem lifting the weight but he had a bit of a belly and his heart rate monitor kept blowing up. He recovered a couple of times but eventually it caught up him and he failed. This may not be an issue for you but just something to be aware of

Thanks for the info, that's what I was afraid of...in light of this I will be stepping up the intensity of my cardio workouts.

(09-29-2014 11:21 AM)WesternCancer Wrote:  Here is a list of job fairs this month, if anyone needs a ride to any of these (once I'm in town, provided I didn't already get a job and am working) hit me up!

http://humanservices.alberta.ca/working-.../3227.html
http://alis.alberta.ca/ce/cp/cs/careerevents.html
https://www.albertaemploymentandcareerfair.com/ ---- this is a big one!
http://www.choa.ab.ca/news/172180/Edmont...r-Fair.htm
http://www.geoalberta.com/
http://www.mtroyal.ca/EmploymentCareers/...orlist.htm - in calgary geared towards grads of that university, links to a bunch of websites so you know whos hiring.
October 1, 2014

McDonalds Restaurant
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bonnyville Alberta Works Centre
5201-44 Street
Bonnyville
For more information, call Chris Hiebert at 780-840-2112

Red Deer Mini Job Fair
9:30 a.m. to noon
Red Deer Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor, First Red Deer Place
4911-51 Street
Red Deer
For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/centralalbertajobs

Meadowlark Towing Ltd.
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bredin Institute Work Source
101, 131-1 Avenue
Westgrove Professional Building
Spruce Grove
View the poster for more information

Value Village
Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor
10242-105th Street
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-4900
View the poster for more information

Walmart – Spruce Grove (Every Wednesday)
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bredin Institute Work Source
101, 131-1 Avenue
Westgrove Professional Building
Spruce Grove
View the poster for more information
October 2, 2014

Adecco Employment Service
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
St. Albert Alberta Works Centre
Provincial Building
30 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue
St. Albert
View the poster for more information
October 3 and 4, 2014

Alberta Employment & Career Fair
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Edmonton Expo Centre, Hall C
7515-118 Avenue
Edmonton
Free Admission and Parking!
For more information, visit albertaemploymentandcareerfair.com
October 7, 2014

Panda Express
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Meadowlark Canada-Alberta Service Centre
120 Meadowlark Shopping Centre
15710-87 Avenue
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-8116 Option 2
View the poster for more information
October 8, 2014

Drumheller Job Fair
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Badlands Community Facility
80 Veterans Way
Drumheller
Featuring more than 20 employers!
For more information, visit: http://www.facebook.com/CentralAlbertaJobs/events
October 14, 2014

National Oilwell Varco Fluid Control
9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Information Session
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Job Fair/Onsite Interviews
Cold Lake Alberta Works Centre
(next to Tri-City Mall)
408 Tri City Mall
6501B-51 Street
Cold Lake
For more information, call Chris at 780-840-2112
Closed noon to 1:00 p.m.
Bring your resumé
October 16, 2014

Wendy’s
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Argyll Alberta Works Centre
6325 Gateway Blvd.
Edmonton
Phone: 780-644-2873
View the poster for more information
October 21, 2014

UPS Canada
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Meadowlark Canada-Alberta Service Centre
120 Meadowlark Shopping Centre
15710-87 Avenue
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-8116 Option 2
View the poster for more information
October 22, 2014

Northlands
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor
10242-105th Street
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-4900
View the poster for more information

Agriculture Job Fair
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room 126
Main Floor, Provincial Building
200-5 Avenue South
Lethbridge
Phone: 403-388-7784
View the poster for more information
View participating employers and positions available
October 23, 2014

HMS HOST International of Canada Ltd
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Alberta Works Centre
4901-50 Avenue
Leduc
View the poster for more information
October 28, 2014

Igloo Building Supplies Group
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Meadowlark Canada-Alberta Service Centre
120 Meadowlark Shopping Centre
15710-87 Avenue
Edmonton
Phone: 780-415-8116 Option 2
View the poster for more information
October 29, 2014

Oil & Gas Employment Fair
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Edmonton Hotel & Convention Centre
4520-76 Avenue NW
Edmonton
November 5, 2014

McDonalds Restaurant
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bonnyville Alberta Works Centre
5201-44 Street
Bonnyville
For more information, call Chris Hiebert at 780-840-2112

Red Deer Mini Job Fair
9:30 a.m. to noon
Red Deer Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor, First Red Deer Place
4911-51 Street
Red Deer
For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/centralalbertajobs
December 3, 2014

Red Deer Mini Job Fair
9:30 a.m. to noon
Red Deer Alberta Works Centre
2nd Floor, First Red Deer Place
4911-51 Street
Red Deer
For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/centralalbertajobs

Just an update:
I reached back in Toronto and I have organized most of my shit. I got the eGSO, PST.20 and First Aid tickets. I will do my H2S alive ticket when I arrive in Edmonton, which is the 6th of October. I took Scotains advice and have reservations at the Hi Hostel for a week. There is an oil and gas job fair on the 8th October http://www.cnrl-careers.com/events/ . WesternCancer I’ll take you up on that ride to the job fairs if you’re available. Does anyone have a well working truck for sale. Like a winter beater, something to start with? Don’t care how it looks as long as it can carry me to the rig site and back until I get on my feet. Price range: 1500 max?

Right lads,

I see a lot has been happening on the thread lately, 'tis the season I suppose. As usual a lot of good advice has been doled out lately from the likely sources. It’s been a busy two weeks since I last posted, I wanted to wait until I landed the job I wanted before posting as I felt I would be filling the thread up with more ‘arm chair oil sands guy’ nonsense as it has been so aptly put. I’ll start where I left I had just gotten all of my Canadian documents together, e.g. SIN, health insurance, Class 5, phone. I then began the process of getting all of my tickets
- H2S Alive – CSTS – PST - Standard First Aid - eGSO

All went as smooth as expected except the Standard First Aid which I ended up missing as I was struck down with a case of the ‘Irish Flu’. No matter I called that day to inform the company that I was at a friends birthday dinner the previous night and went for drinks afterwards at a bar. Upon which the birthday girl encountered broken glass and lacerated her hand. Being the safety conscious individual that I am I escorted the young lady to the emergency room where I waited with her through the night to be seen to as it was a Sunday. Which subsequently lead to me sleeping in and missing my alarm. The woman on the phone then penciled me in for another class at no extra cost to myself.

While taking care of these tickets I also went out to Nisku and job fairs both of which were good experiences, I learned a lot and received a lot of job offers but not for the job I wanted. The reality was that I needed all of my tickets done and printed out ready to show to prospective companies. So I spent the next few day’s taking care of them and changing around my Resumes (I have two, one which highlights my education and engineering background and one which highlights my laboring background).

I then proceeded to hit Nisku again, this time with all of my ducks in a row. I targeted the major drilling companies in the area for leasehand positions, most said they had filled all of their leasehand positions and to call back in November. And were only looking for people with experience, fantastic I said I have experience in the oil industry. Experience working in an ‘oil distribution and maintenance depot’ or as some might call it a ‘gas station’. Didn't matter it was enough to get me an interview. Gave her the normal spiel, I've got my tickets, I've got my truck (still don’t), I’m ready to work. Basically said what to O.G’s have advised to say. All good 'we’ll book you in for a physical this week' she said and off I went.

This followed the same thread in a couple of other offices I went to. Side note is it just me or are there are some tasty birds working in these drilling offices. I’m so used to old raggedy looking secretaries and hr personnel in the UK. Anyway finished up with a bunch of them telling me they’re going call be back in for a physical by the end of the week.

Thursday roles around and I get the call to go for my physical at 9.00 am from one of the bigger companies I went to. I was delighted except for the fact that I got hit with a typical case of the nerves that any heavy smoker would get before a urinal test. So to be on the safe side I water loaded like a mofo and downed silly amounts of creatine and b-vitamins. So I went in dropped my piss off and was filling out the forms when I seen that I would have to pass a hearing test. FUCK. This is a problem I overlooked, I’m half deaf, ever since I was a child, almost prevented me from getting a boxing license.

I wish you guys could have seen my face during that hearing test, I’m straining so hard to detect the faintest sound that it probably looked like I squeezing out the mother of all shits in the soundproof box. While the girl was going over my results I was sweating bullets especially as I knew what the numbers meant and they weren't good. Luckily the standards apparently aren't that high for the industry, she proceeded to tell that I should probably go to see a specialist, cheers love will do.

Half way through the day I get a call from another drilling company I applied to, they tell me that I have a physical booked for 3.00 pm the same day. Turns out it was the other side of town, so I rush across to the other place and go through the same shite again except this time no vision, hearing or breathing, just piss in a cup and pick some shit up, as the meerkat would say ‘simples’.

Today is Monday and I have gotten call backs from both companies telling me to come in for orientation, one is tomorrow and one is next week. I’m going to go to both and work with whoever puts me out there first. As has been stated on this thread before don’t have loyalty to these companies, they don’t give a fuck about you until you start making them money. In the meantime I have been applying for MWD position online as of yet have not heard back, but I don't expect it to be that easy.

So there you have it, it took me 3 weeks to land 2 leasehand positions with 2 of the biggest companies out here. Not because I’m smart but because cunts on this forum have already done it and handed down a play by play on how its done. Follow the fucking steps it’s all here gentlemen. Almost forgot to mention, I got to meet up with Essential, Scoatian and PakiRambo all sound lads. It was especially nice to meet Scotian as it put to rest my fear that this hole thread is an elaborate troll to trick dumb cunts like myself to pack up there entire lives and move halfway across the world to live in Canada’s Arsehole.

P.S. If anyone is in Edmonton over the next few weeks drop us PM for a meet up. And I’m in the process of buying a truck, obviously I’m looking on Kijiji, auctions and all the regular avenues but if anyone knows a friend that’s selling one drop me a PM

As my people would say, G'luck

Good post man and congrats. Ya those physical and hearing tests are amusing. I was competing like I was at the olympics in my physical.

(09-29-2014 05:18 PM)Seanchaí Wrote:  I wanted before posting as I felt I would be filling the thread up with more ‘arm chair oil sands guy’ nonsense as it has been so aptly put.

I know you are only making a joke but I was in no way discouraging people to update people on their progress. Its a process of failures and success out here for all of us and everyone will pick up some unique information that is helpful to all of us.

Again good post and if you start looking into MWD after a while on the rigs let me know. The switch over isn't too hard after you have done a few rotations.

(09-29-2014 04:24 PM)silk93 Wrote:  Does anyone have a well working truck for sale. Like a winter beater, something to start with? Don’t care how it looks as long as it can carry me to the rig site and back until I get on my feet. Price range: 1500 max?

Would there be any interest in a mid nineties ford 4x4 up there? There's a butt load of them down here in the south that have never seen salt and probably only 2 to 3 feet of snow in their entire life. A pretty good 4x4 is $3000.00 to $3500.00 with a cherry costing around $4500.00

I'm debating getting a truck

I just haggled with a guy on CL for an '02 ram 1500 sport 4x4. with 200k km. He wants 4k cash. seems like a good deal and looks pretty clean.

I guess in the end the risk im taking (aside from it breaking down or something) is will it net me more money than if I had gone without a truck.

http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Dodge/RAM+15...rup=1_15_2

^ same truck as here except here it has a bit more km and is leather. I'd be making money just selling that shit.

MWD or another technically based position is where I want to end up and I have been applying to several companies online. I realize that it will take a lot of work and some time to break into a position like that though so in the mean time I want to do a run on the rigs. I'm honestly really looking forward to it. Especially the verbal abuse aspect I've been hearing so much about. The boys will call me a spud gobbling paddy or some such I'll call them a shower of cunts, 'twill be male bonding at it's finest.

I enjoy physical labour and don't look down on it at all on the contrary the year I spent in an office was one of the most soul destroying times of my life, while the Summers I spent huffing furniture up and down stairs were fun as fuck. The act of sitting down for an entire day is just terrible for your mind and body. And I do realize that there's a certain irony in saying that I want to break into an MWD role, as I assume you spend most of your day sitting.

Thanks for that post WesternCancer I'm aiming to make it for that Nov 5 job fair.

Just a quick question:

Do any of you work in Edmonton throughout the whole year? Or all of you just take 3 months off throughout the year? I wonder if is possible to work the whole year, because I would rather just be working the whole year and stacking paper.

Just a FYI on the Dodge trucks. The price is lower than comparable models due somewhat to increased ⛽ costs. If your going to be putting a bunch of miles on a truck a Dodge may not be the best option. If it's not going to be driven much a Dodge gas burner is a really good value.

My go to work truck is a 93 to 97 old body style ford. Tough as nails and can be bought for nothing if you don't mind driving a pile. For a few thousand dollars you can get a really nice truck with a lot of life left.

My current work truck is a swb six cylinder five speed that cost $2200.00 two wheel drive though. If anyone has any questions about trucks shoot me a pm. I used to be a dealer and use them myself so I think I can give you some solid advice.

(09-30-2014 12:32 AM)WesternCancer Wrote:  I'm debating getting a truck

I just haggled with a guy on CL for an '02 ram 1500 sport 4x4. with 200k km. He wants 4k cash. seems like a good deal and looks pretty clean.

I guess in the end the risk im taking (aside from it breaking down or something) is will it net me more money than if I had gone without a truck.

http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Dodge/RAM+15...rup=1_15_2

^ same truck as here except here it has a bit more km and is leather. I'd be making money just selling that shit.

4k is definitely too much for a '02 Dodge RAM, there are better deals out there.

Like Cowboy Rooskie said stay away from Dodge trucks, they are the least reliable of all. If you want a cheap and reliable truck buy a Ford F-150 with the inline six engine, they were built until 1996. A Ford Ranger until 1997 might be ok too, depends of how big of a truck you want.
You can never go wrong with a Toyota truck, it'll never leave you stranded.

Always buy a 4x4, although the prices of 2WD trucks might be tempting.

I got an okay 1988 Ford for $500. If you don't need it for work, but rather to get to work than get as shit a truck as possible.

After a few weeks/months when your back account is tight and you have the lay of the land start looking at better trucks if they are needed. Keep your cash in your pocket as much as possible. Maybe you will get a job where they supply you with a truck or maybe you will end up doing fly in/fly out work.

I see roughnecks on the rigs driving beater cars all the time. Noone cares as long as it drives and can get you to work (unless you physically need the truck FOR work).

Yeah, fuck the truck for now. Too much hassle. I have a nice car already that will just need snow tires. Even though I have the money having 2 vehicles will just be more hassle than its worth.

I'm just stressin and avoiding by trying to do everything BUT my #1 priority. I can't get H2S alive/First Aid (the rest I'll get online) until next week and those classes are filling up quick. (on a side note these tickets are pricey!!!) As a result I'll miss the huge job fair this weekend because no one is going to hire a dude with no tickets.

Just need to focus on:

1. List of companies/a more defined idea of what I want to do for work. Right now I'm in the mentality that I'll do anything, but that also means I'd have to apply haphazardly to everything. Better to be focused.

2. Coordinating dates I'll get my tickets, housing, job fairs, the trip there etc.

3. Starting to pack and make sure I have everything I need.

(09-30-2014 07:32 AM)pitt Wrote:  Just a quick question:

Do any of you work in Edmonton throughout the whole year? Or all of you just take 3 months off throughout the year? I wonder if is possible to work the whole year, because I would rather just be working the whole year and stacking paper.

Sure we do. Why wouldn't it be possible? It depends on your trade too I guess. There are a few guys that work the whole year I think. I've had work since March 2013 (when I got here) and haven't stopped since (took 2 weeks off during Christmas, that was it).

That said, it makes more sense to go up North if you get the chance and make the same money in a shorter time. I will eventually end up doing that (once I get a couple of tickets under my belt), but for now I'll continue working in Edmonton full time.

^ Just say you have the tickets already or that the courses are booked.

I tried asking for MWD job openings today at my company but they said they are over staffed till the winter rush hits (1-2.5 months). Keep this in mind. Just cause it is cold doesn't mean everyone will be hiring right away. You have to lock down a city job and wait. Id aim for some landscaping/construction/cafe/restaurant work in the meantime.

It is pretty easy to find one of these on kijiji and can usually be landed the same day by good phone and interview skills.

I got my PayPal setup so I will stick up a full post later today on how this resume service will work.

I think it will take me about 2 hours all in between typing it up, making a cover sheet and possibly talking to people on the phone a little as well when they arrive with some tips/info. I am going to charge $60 Canadian dollars (about $53 US at the moment). I don't know if that seems kinda steep (or not) but it will be a of high quality and Ill try and get in some extra phone time with each person as well.

I will only have the time to do one or two a day (if even) as I want to do a good job and make sure people get value out of it. I am pretty sure it will help people find better paying jobs and find them faster so people should get their money back fast.

No one has to use this service if they don't want to, I have posted a lot of info on what makes for an ideal drilling/MWD resume and its all in this thread so people could use that to make their own. I make enough each day to keep me happy so this is just a service to people on this forum if they wish to avail of it.

Again I will post more on this later but just to confirm that I will indeed do it for a while and see how it goes.

Any questions/suggestions or comments people want to make?

(09-30-2014 12:43 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  Yeah, fuck the truck for now. Too much hassle. I have a nice car already that will just need snow tires. Even though I have the money having 2 vehicles will just be more hassle than its worth.

I'm just stressin and avoiding by trying to do everything BUT my #1 priority. I can't get H2S alive/First Aid (the rest I'll get online) until next week and those classes are filling up quick. (on a side note these tickets are pricey!!!) As a result I'll miss the huge job fair this weekend because no one is going to hire a dude with no tickets.

Limiting belief that they'll hire you with no safety tickets. Just give them a good story and show them your not afraid to work and they'll pick you up in a heartbeat, that what happened with me. If your really serious, you'd be at the job fair and put your safety tickets on your resume and tell them you can start wed or thurs the next week and have your ticket courses on monday and tuesday.

There's no excuses, there's enough information leading to what you would want to do. There's tons of options here, just pick one. Any trade/profession out here can lead to 100k+/year after 2-5 years. Hell, there's different seasons for different jobs and if your willing to work and hustle making 80k in your first year is very doable. I've already outlined the work cycles already.

For green guys the GP job fair is your best if you can get there by tomorrow, then there's the edmonton job fair at the end of this week.

http://gpjobfair.com/

The push is on, just don't get caught looking for a job in december because you won't get anything then.