Promotion
So if you are going to start your offshore careers as a Roustabout you will want to get the best possible start and find out how to get promoted. Have you ever noticed how some people who are not necessarily the best at the job, still get promoted? They have a natural ability to influence people and be their friends at the same time.

Everyone is watching you especially in the early days of employment. An example of this is a Driller, looking for a Roughneck, will watch the Roustabouts when he gets the chance and talk to others about the Roustabouts. He will ask people he meets as he does his work, or in the 'smoko shack', he will also ask your direct boss.

The following goes for everybody looking for promotion into a different department. Whether it be a Roustabout looking for a job as a Roughneck or a qualified mechanic employed on the rig as a Roustabout looking for a motorman's job.

To get into the department you are skilled in, it is not enough to present your certificates to the rig personnel supervisor and hope they will think of you automatically when the next position comes up. You must put great effort into pursuing the job you want, you have to constantly remind them of your skills and intentions.

Do whatever it takes, for example go and talk to every person in that department, get to know them on a friendly basis initially, but do tell them of your trade. Some workers will be wary of helping someone who maybe after their job.

So go carefully, make friends and don't be too pushy. If possible arrange it with the head of the department you are interested in and the head of the department you are currently working for, for you to take some time off your present work to work in your skilled area.

A word of warning however, you will probably be on three months probation for your Roustabouts job, and it is up to your direct supervisor whether you stay or not. So your first priority is to your present job, doing it well and waiting for the right opportunity to arise.