Featured Recruiter: ConocoPhillips

First in a series for Jackson School students.

• What degree-level graduates does ConocoPhillips typically recruit?
• What academic specializations are common among new employees?
• What are some of the qualities that make a candidate attractive to recruiters?
• What is great about working for ConocoPhillips?

Background: Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips is is the third-largest integrated energy company and the second-largest refiner in the United States. The company operates in more than 40 countries and has approximately 38,000 employees worldwide. ConocoPhillips has four core activities worldwide: Petroleum exploration and production; Petroleum refining, marketing, supply and transportation; Natural gas gathering, processing and marketing, including a 50 percent interest in Duke Energy Field Services, LLC; Chemicals and plastics production and distribution through a 50 percent interest in Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC. In addition, the company is investing in several emerging businesses — fuels technology, gas-to-liquids, power generation and emerging technologies — that provide current and potential future growth opportunities.

Chuck Caughey, a campus recruiter at ConocoPhillips, offered these reflections on the company and its hiring practices.

ConocoPhillips recruits at the M.S. or higher level for geoscience generalists (exploration and development positions in geology and geophysics). We do not interview many B.S. candidates because our experience shows significant added value in achieving the graduate degree. This is particularly evident in soft skills, like problem solving, communication, and project management. We will interview a few top B.S. students who have clear plans for grad school.

Most specialist positions (carbonate petrographer, research geochemist, specialist in remote sensing) at ConocoPhillips are filled at the PhD level, but there are a number of M.S. degree holders doing excellent work in these applied research roles. We also have some PhDs working very successfully as general interpreters in various business units around the world.

There are many jobs with other companies in the petroleum industry and elsewhere that hire at the bachelor's degree level. Before making the decision to leave school with a B.S. or continue for a M.S. or PhD, I strongly recommend that students research job opportunities available at each level. AAPG salary surveys provide important information, but job location and especially the type of work are also major considerations.

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Oil patch specialties such as stratigraphy, subsurface structure, sedimentology, and reservoir characterization are most common among new geoscience employees at ConocoPhillips. We may also hire a volcanologist or hydrologist who genuinely wants to work in the petroleum industry. The ability to visualize and understand geology is much more relevant than specialization in graduate school. Equally important is motivation in finding a career that best matches a particular candidate. We try hard to recruit employees who will enjoy their jobs for long, successful, and very rewarding careers.

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Students who are motivated, enthusiastic, and self directed rise to the top in consideration for both internships and full-time jobs. Technical excellence and quality scientific process are critical. Asking relevant questions is a good way for a candidate to show interest, but make these genuine. If you really want the job, researching the company through their internet Web site can provide some useful background for discussion.

Dressing appropriately and being well groomed will be noticed. There is room for individuality, but be aware that you are making a statement with your appearance.

Everyone is unique, so be prepared to discuss your interests, experiences, and achievements. These may help set you apart from the rest of the pack.

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ConocoPhillips has all of the resources and opportunities befitting a super major with global operations. Perhaps more important, however, is the people-oriented corporate culture. We all work in small, interdisciplinary teams that have a local, personal flavor.

Sustainable development is a key consideration for all projects, embracing environmental and social concerns at all levels from the boardroom to the wellsite. I also like the focus on professional development of ConocoPhillips employees, with clear cut advancement guidelines, effective in house and outside training, and tools to aid in career planning. Continuous learning is important for all staff, from new hires to the seasoned veterans.

Layered on this are opportunities to apply the latest technology and work with leading experts on industry leading projects around the world. After experiencing the range of geoscience roles at ConocoPhillips through hands-on assignments upon joining our company, an internal job selection process allows geoscientists to propose themselves for positions which fit their particular areas of expertise and passion at locations around the world.

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