Thread regarding ExxonMobil Corp. layoffs

Op update. The offer came in officially today from a large conglomerate and was only 20% less than XOM compensation. The thing is though there are bonuses which make it more like 10%, there is an absolute performance assessment process, and not the b—s— rank system, and they have a 401k match still. These folks interviewed me and got me an offer letter in a week and a half. Finally there is relocation assistance.

To those looking to get out, do it now! I will leave without 2 weeks because of how XOM has treated all working level folks during Covid is unacceptable.

Coming out of "the" top university, I worked for the company for 8+ years. I left at a whim a few years ago to pursue a very different career as I wanted to have a more purposeful life and passion behind my actions and not do things just because processes said so or solely for money and benefits.

I can tell life is so normal, brilliant and beautiful outside of ExxonMobil. The life, job and career outside EM is outstanding, progressive, well respected and the best thing that ever happened to me.

Such as positive entry. It is great to know there is life after XOM. So many of us came right out of college and this is the only “real job” we know. After 10+ years in XOM, life could be happier on the other side.

Congratulations - good post - good luck

@1nnt+16H0nxr1 Just type in "chemical engineer" and then sort by date and start going at it. You will need to review the job qualifications and see if they are looking for Phd. Usually those are called development engineers so be on the lookout for those and start applying now, do not wait!

Congratulations!! And thank you for sharing all the insights. The job market is saturated and a lot of the jobs that seem interesting have a ton of applicants.

The CVX and Shell layoffs hit in 4Q. Plus all the very experienced, early retirees are now available in the consulting market. The early retirees can work cheap, because they have medical benefits and their lump sum and can bid consultling prices low. I have seen lots of geology and reservoir consulting at below $100/hr

Congratulations!
Are the job postings you mentioned for process engineering roles? There seem to be few openings for PhDs ( doing hands on chemistry experiments, or coding/ simulations)... do any of the posters have experience looking for these types of jobs? Any advice would be appreciated!

Agree that 'suburbs' argument at the end is reverse of your argument.
But - congratulations.

Basically - unless your entire career and education was based on ancient chains of oil, you have many opportunities out there. Foundation of the future (since the founding of the scientific method) is where it is at. Can't be ignored forever. We think.

Bet the entire table on yourself, your knowledge, and justice.
Science. Blinded by science.

Has anyone heard about if they will be reducing headcount in the functional groups (EMIT, Controllers, Procurement, etc.)?

Very good, clear and encouraging posting.
Mostly on the spot.
Your reference to being a chess-player - and looking moves ahead. Very good.

This O&G dinosaur always a checkers player - and occasionally just throws the board over.
Pouting won't work anymore.

@daa+16H0nxr1 I used Indeed and applied there. I applied to over 200 different postings. I spent weekends just applying. Very monotonous but it worked well. When I applied I searched my position and I sorted by date and applied to the most recent first. If you have an electrical engineering degree than just search "electrical engineer" sort by date and start going.

When applying review the minimum qualifications and make sure you meet them or can convince an HR person you meet them.

There are not that many positions in the Gulf Coast or Houston area that you would expect so be prepared to move. Also like I said in OP do not expect oil and gas or petrochemical to be hiring much. Remember your salary is based off $80 bbl/oil so be prepared to take a pay cut. Don't worry XOM will most likely be cutting pay in the near future.

It takes a while for the interviews to process. You have the HR interview, the hiring manager interview, and then the panel interview. This can take 3 weeks to get through and a minimum of 4 weeks to get an offer so start now!

Also make sure your LinkedIn looks good since many recruiters go there too to look at you and your accomplishments. If you have social media make it private or consider deactivating it temporarily.

Congratulations! I agree with your points. I was one of the unfortunate (or fortunate, depending on how you look at it) ones to be let go in July. In the month that I have been out of work, I have been applying and networking like crazy. I applied to just over 250 jobs. But one thing I did know was I am not going back into the oil and gas industry, that's dying as it is

I had my fair share of rejections but also as the ball got rolling, more and more interview requests came in! It's easy to be discouraged at first but keep on going! I was an engineer and definitely got to sharpen many technical skills as well as people skills during my time at EM. And most of those skills are transferable to any industry. I am grateful for the opportunity to work at a big name company and leverage the skills I learned. But ofc, the way I got let go was rather shameful on EM's part. Alas, I look forward to watching the ship sink.

In a way, I'm super glad I got let go in the first round. If it were up to just me, I wouldn't have the guts to quit and pursue a different industry especially during this whole gestures at 2020 situation. What a blessing in disguise! I got to get in the job market before it was too saturated.

Also, pro tip for those who are or will be job searching after being let go: keep EM as your current position and don't say you were let go unless companies specifically ask. You are technically still employed for 3 months if you're PIL and EM can provide proof of current employment if another company needs that. EM even says as much in their documents. In all my interview experience, no company has asked me to my face if I was let go. The most they did was ask if I am currently working at EM, to which I say yes and that was that. Plus, my resume said '-Present' for my last role at EM. A few company application sites will ask if you have ever been let go - I just told the truth and said, 'Yes due to oil down turn and COVID related cost cutting" short and sweet.

Best of luck everyone! Hope this helps! Stay positive.

TMTS is specifically calling out moving contact and equipment strategy engineers to remote support in KLTC.

From a contact engineer standpoint, Not specifically sure how the company is going to get away with remote MOC support from this function. Unit monitoring and optimization can all be done remotely, PSSRs cannot.

What groups are to be listed off later this year.

How did you get the interviews? Just applying the normal way or through your network or connections?

I disagree with the crime in suburbia part but fully agree with the business landscape.
I too have been interviewing. There are jobs out there and companies poised to grow.
The trick is networking, because job boards are saturated with equally qualified people.

Big Oil - with lofty salaries and lavish spending - is done.
Those of us with transferable skills are fortunate.
I feel sorry for the paper pushers, PPT font reviewers, time sheet trackers, and enforcers of the regime. Most of them have obsolete technical skills and despite their arrogance, they aren’t in a position to learn quickly.

I am also eager to leave Texas and its culture of ignorance and unfounded braggadocio.

The area you work at sounds like Beaumont. Which many of the functional plans have identified that site as having very large headcounts in. If I recall, they were looking at a target reduction ~75 this year with a couple hundred over a 3 year period.

Congratulations!