Every day, there’s a new FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) package or special deal promising the secret to landing a FIFO job. Look at me, I’m a mining influencer! Check out my TikTok and Instagram. How to get a job driving dump trucks, score big in the mining industry, – the list goes on and on.
Why are people buying this stuff? There’s no secret code, no magic bullet to get you into FIFO.
The Sales Pitch
The FIFO guide we bought came with a lot of hype. Promises of insider knowledge, exclusive job listings, and step-by-step guides were plastered all over the marketing material. They made it sound like once you bought this guide, the job offers would start rolling in. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
What You Actually Get
When we opened these guides, we found a lot of generic information. Sure, there were some tips on resume building and interview preparation, but nothing groundbreaking. Most of this information is readily available online for free. The “exclusive job listings” were just links to publicly available job boards.
But Wait… There’s Even More!
These guides come bundled with a so-called “professional” resume, all for the bargain price of – wait for it – a minimum of $500 or more.
Now, don’t get us wrong—we’re not denying the value of a good resume writer, but paying $500 – $1,000 thats a bit rich, don’t you think? And let’s be honest, if we had a dollar for every person who claims to be a professional resume writer, we’d be swimming in money.
The Real Secret
Here’s the thing: there is no secret code. Landing a FIFO job, like any job, requires perseverance, hard work, sacrifice, and a bit of luck—unless you know someone.
Real Tips
- Do an Apprenticeship: Get yourself into an apprenticeship in a trade that’s relevant to mining, like electrical work, heavy diesel fitting, or boilermaking. Get in, do the four years, and get it over and done with. Once you’ve finished, you’ll be on the big bucks.
- Traineeships: If a four-year apprenticeship sounds too long, you could do a traineeship in half the time. Positions include storeperson, tyre fitter, dump truck operator, or process plant operations.
- Network: Talk to people who are already in the jobs you want, learn from their experiences. Attend industry events and reach out to potential employers directly.
- Shutdown work can help you gain experience, build your network, and get your foot in the door. These short-term, jobs are a great opportunity to show employers that you’ve got a good work ethic and have what it takes.
- Reality Check: Ask yourself, what do you bring to the table? You want a cushy $100k+ FIFO gig? Think again. These jobs aren’t handed out like candy. You need the right skills, a solid work ethic, and the willingness to prove yourself. It’s about showing you can handle the tough stuff before you get to the cushy part. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to put in the hard yards.
- Persistence: Keep applying, stay positive and be prepared for rejection. The FIFO job market is competitive, patience and persistence is key.
The Bottom Line
Let’s be real, there are no shortcuts to landing a FIFO job unless you know somebody. Got a mate, uncle, or friend of a friend who can hook you up? If not, it’s all about hard work, gaining the right skills, and handling a lot of rejection.
Put in the effort to build your skills, talk to people in the industry, and be ready to start at the bottom.
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Spot on! I wasted money on one of these a while back.