Getting Started with FIFO Mining Work
So, you’re keen to get into the mining industry but keep hitting roadblocks because you lack experience. You’ve polished your resume, but the rejections keep rolling in. Like thousands of others, you’re facing the same challenge. Don’t worry; you can still make it! Here are some tips from those who have been in your shoes.
Get the Right Skills
This is pretty obvious—if you had the right skills, you wouldn’t be here. Seriously, get some relevant experience related to the mining job you want before applying. It’s not that easy to get a FIFO job with no skills. Look for local work in a town or city first to build up some relevant experience. Try to get a job with a contractor or company that provides services to the mining industry. You might just get lucky and get offered a job in the mines through that company.
Move to a Mining Town
Not all mining jobs are FIFO; companies also hire for residential and Drive-In Drive-Out (DIDO) positions. The mining industry is inherently known for being a “who you know” industry, and what better way to get to know the who’s who than by living in a mining town?Before you pack up the Mrs. and kids, consider the many pros and cons of moving to a mining town. You can read more about mining towns here.
Tickets and Licenses
Now that you’ve got some relevant experience, it’s time to focus on tickets and licenses. Look into the tickets and licenses most commonly required for the position and get only those. Don’t waste your time and money on a bunch of tickets thinking it will guarantee you a job—it won’t. Get the essentials that match the job and the state you’re applying in.
Resume
Research the specific role you want to apply for and tailor your resume to that job. Using a generic resume for different jobs is sure to get rejected. Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems scan resumes for specific information related to the job description. For example, applying for a driller’s offsider position with the same resume you use for a cleaning/ utility job will likely result in rejection because the ATS won’t recognise the relevant skills and experience.
To increase your chances, create multiple resumes tailored to the specific positions you’re applying for. Read more about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) here.
Realistic Goals
Listen up, cupcake. Too many people trying to break into mining want a $150k a year job without having the skills or qualifications. Apply for positions that align with your skill set. Don’t waste time applying for jobs you’re not qualified for. You need to start at the bottom to make it to the top.
Conclusion
There you have it. It’s not all Instagram and TikTok glam. If you want to break into the mining industry, you’ve got to put your head down and your ass up. Start with the basics, get the right skills and be realistic about your goals. With hard work and the right attitude, you can climb the ladder and build a rewarding career in mining. Now get out there and make it happen!
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For underground coal via a mate who was a supervisor. Open cut via application and getting one of a few trainee roles that over 1000 applied for. Had to drive 4 hours to attend a seminar interview day and got chosen out of the bunch there.
I got most of my jobs by walking into the office and saying I’m looking for work, have you got anything going.? I was told more than once, dont bother with a resume, I’ll give you a start on probation for a week. The only ones I didn’t get were ones I didn’t bother staying at. One I stayed the rostered fortnight and told the Boss I won’t be back, too many accidents happening here. The next one the machines were so poor they were an accident waiting to happen
Proved myself through work ethic & attitude, friend recommended me for a job.
Recruitment agencies do shutdowns or whatever to get the experience then apply once you have some skills
Start from the bottom to get to the top. I started out cleaning offices scrubbing toilets and showers on a mine site paid for my own tickets and medical. Got accommodation in a mining town and applied for every job that was going then I got a start with a contractor as a trades assistant for a diesel fitter for a blast hole drilling contractor and as I learnt more and more about the rigs I hassled the boss to let me operate and he did. As my experience grew I continued to apply for more jobs now I work for a mine driving rear dumps and relief driller for my crew. I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t aim too high any experience on a mine site is good if you on a site even if it just a cleaner you training is up to date and your meeting people. Accommodation and attendance is a huge cost to an employer so they will hire someone locally rather than someone they have to house and feed or still be in town when it floods etc.
Be willing to go to places people don’t want to like the outback mining towns.
Try and start off contacting some shutdown companies…. and just keep applying for everything…. and start off in the cities….
Start with an employment company. I found it was easier to get in that way when you don’t know anyone and are going in fully green.