Seems some skills and roles are valued more than others. Drilling comes to mind. I see they are doubling or tripling up the number of people assigned to a single rig which hardly seems fair considering what is happening to others. For non-drillers what are the roles that are valued? Trying to understand where I should try steer towards.
No need to post brown noser or other unhelpful comments I know there are a lot if people on this site who were not laid off.
Unfortunately any engineering role that they think they can outsource overseas will be eliminated in the USA. No position is totally safe, but essential roles that have been determined to be necessary to keep the facility running and requires onsite support are a bit more secure for the time being. But even these roles are rumored to be downsized over the next few years. Word is the new Business Technology Center in India is hiring a massive amount of engineering resources to slowly migrate the engineering to that facility. Unfortunately there will not be a lot of lucrative opportunities for the engineering profession at XOM in the future. Matter of fact, we were told rotations have been halted for the most part and if you are lucky enough to remain, be prepared to stay in your current role for quite a while.
For EMIT in the US, your only safe bet is being a Systems Architect. This role is easily transferable to other companies. You are doomed if you're not an SA.
Back in the 1990's, most of our IT systems were inhouse developed (all US). And then some managers opened the flood gates to transition work to other countries. Thus, most of our developers now, and SME's are based outside the US. The IT folks who are in the US are mainly facilitators/coordinators, keeping close to business users; aka business analysts. That's what happened to poor EMIT.
Honestly folks change the industry. I have been looking for a job two years and no light. Before Covid-19 you could have found a job outside of oil and now it is difficult. If you are a geologist (any discipline), reservoir, production, drilling, facility engineer, researcher, chances to find a job are nilch. There are so many people on the market, and so few openings. I have many friends on the market and they are in a much better position to find jobs than us, yet none is finding. Hope pandemic is over soon and other industries open up.
EMIT was / is not afraid about cloud. 3+ years ago, some EMIT cloud proposals were rejected at Dallas level. We are perhaps safely dying under control.
Good old boys club there
Don’t lose your technical skills. Continue to learn and become an expert in it. For those of us in the USA, I think it is clear to say XOM doesn’t know yet what skills are required as we continue to send jobs overseas. To be safe, keep up your technical skills and network within and outside the company.
We cannot really blame IT. Most of their jobs were already shipped overseas and the people left here have very little say in what happens.
@1zjy+18gVOLBS Remember how long it took before they decided WiFi was safe enough to have in the office?
@1kdd+18gVOLBS Right?! We are a technology company all in on digital transformation per managements talking points but the cloud is too scary.
actively looking as well....survived the PIP but the writing is on the wall.....in EMIT. If youre in the US its probably better to increase your skills so you can get out w a new job.
BTW - it laughable how slow IT is in moving to the cloud. Almost every company in OG is light years ahead...so you better enhance your skills before you job hunt
For me this has been the straw that broke the camels back. I am actively looking for what is next. Agree with prior posts that in the past ten years there has been a steady decline in value and opportunities for employees. Any young people should run as fast as possible to other industries.
@1zdj+18gVOLBS I get what you are saying and am doing the same. I hope to find a better opportunity as well. My motivation is mostly that I see fewer and fewer opportunities in oil and gas. While it isn’t going anywhere it is a dying rather than expanding industry and therefore no longer a place of long term opportunity and growth. I do think many of the statements being made on here are a bit over the top.
Curious if you are looking to change industries and if so what are you considering? Doing any retooling? I have friends considering law school, MBA, etc. others doing things like PMP or brushing up on technical skills which have atrophied.
Many of us ignored or even exemplified the bad behaviors EM typically encouraged because until recently there has not been a crisis big enough to impact the company’s financial performance to this extent. Now, just like “digital transformation”, “HW3”, and “TMTS”, the fallout from decades of incentivizing the wrong behaviors has finally started to significantly impact the workforce. It’s not isolated to US/Canada/Europe either. Lots of people at “growth sites” also recognize this and are leaving on their own for other companies and industries.
@1zww+18gVOLBS EM used to be a fun and exciting place to work about 10 years ago. Then, it started going downhill. I think a lot of us were waiting, fooled, or a combination of both given all the lip service the company was spewing about culture change. We were holding out for this false promise, of course now we know the true colors that are showing through in a period of panic. So, to answer your question, yeah I think a lot of us were happy to work here, but over time it's gone downhill significantly. And, now we're all just biding our time until the market picks back up so we can get a job somewhere else where we're likely to be happier.
@iro+18gVOLBS You and everyone else on here saying how terrible EM is were perfectly happy to be part of the company until you were fired no? I don’t understand all the people who complain about EM and come into work day after day. If it is so terrible why didn’t you quit? Seriously?
@1bfw+18gVOLBS
Don't fool yourself. Trust me (if you can), I have my dream job. I am just telling you the way it is in ExxonMobil.
They brainwash the real talents and remold them in robots that the normal humane society dislikes. And money? – how much money is your youth, talent and time worth. If you are as good as you say and I am willing to believe it, then it is all priceless. If EM is paying you $1 million a year to do the shlt they do, you are wasting your life cheap.
Thank you! Life has never been better! Don't think I said anything about useless accomplishments. A little self reflection on your part maybe?
@krz+18gVOLBS
That description is pu-ke worthy. Seriously. Making money at the cost of wasting your life away on meaningless things is not a measure of success. But I agree what you described and your low level thought process is exactly what EM leadership mantra is.
Enjoy your so called success.
@krz+18gVOLBS Thank you. Good advice.
Looks like one of us had an incredibly successful career and made tons of money. But others know better. Being a smarta*s is always a better plan. How's that working for you? hahahahahaha
Looks like some of you have been day drinking. I guess it is the weekend.
Develop excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Every time you get a chance to be in front of management, be very well prepared. Come across as knowledgeable and confident, in control but respectful. Work harder and smarter than everyone else. Try to get into a high profile assignment, even if not a job you want. Try hard to get a planning assignment. Not fun but tons of exposure. Never try to be a smarta*s or embarrass others like posters here do. They are losers, you want to be a winner. Be friendly and outgoing, but not fake or brown nose.
The most important competency is the ability to think on your feet. Know your stuff so well that if anything is flawed or incomplete, you can spot it right away. Requires excellent judgement. Sharpen skills outside your normal job. Good business skills are a must. Make contacts in support groups such as law, controllers, finance, PR, etc. People knowing and respecting you is essential. Push outside your comfort level. Most important, find a way to get exposure to senior management. One single presentation done well can pay off enormously. Be a team player, but don't rely on others. You be responsible for your career. Hope this helps.
@viq+18gVOLBS Not at all. I am capable and able to learn new things. In fact I enjoy learning new things and new roles.
Shoving your nose so far up mgmt's @$$, you reach the small intestine
Ops Geo got hit really hard. Drilling is evidently NOT safe.
Asset sales, Law and Public Affairs.
Speaking of drilling, anyone know how hard the field guys vs the office got hit by this layoff?
Growing algae!
If you had valuable skills and if you really wanted to use them, your question would have been different:
This are my skills and where in the organization could I apply them to provide value?
Instead, you are trying to find what the stupid bosses want so you can force yourself and fit in that mold. If you and your fellow stooges don't see a problem with such mentality, then only god can save the corporation.
PS, I would expect (and fully deserve) to get my teeth knocked out if I told someone outside of the golden halls of exxonmobil to "hold the handrail."
Based on this week, not cost and schedule engineering or project controls. Especially on small revamp projects.
@cnl+18gVOLBS Try reading to the end next time.
The skills needed to succeed at Exxon:
Impeccable S—ing up / brown nosing
Yes man/women
Strong jaw
No gag reflex
No ability to think on your own
Follow without questioning
Criteria for a Q1 ranking!