Revealed: Top Tips for Landing Entry Level Mining Jobs

Top Tips for Landing Entry Level Mining Jobs

The chances of you landing a start in the mining industry at entry level mining jobs level obviously depends on your skills, experience and “�”�..attitude!

Yes your attitude is something that is closely put under the radar by mining companies and recruiters alike. The question is, how can you make an impression before you`re even in the door?

Mining Training and Certification

Whilst many try to gain entry level mining jobs with little to no experience AND feel the cost of attaining mine tickets and qualifications is a waste of money if you don`t have a job to go to there is another way you can look at it. The mining industry can be a hazardous environment with heavy machinery, fast moving vehicles of all shapes and sizes, confined space working conditions, volatile environments and weather conditions.

“SLAMS, JSEA’s, ERP, COWS, ESO, SSE, MOPS and PHMP’s”

This can increase the likelihood of accidents occurring dramatically. For the majority of new people entering the industry, there can be so much to learn about safety, procedures and compliance in such a short period of time.

If you’re not aware of the terms SLAMS, JSEA’s, ERP, COWS, ESO, SSE, MOPS and PHMP’s, then your chances of getting a mining job are greatly reduced. You may be asked questions in your interview and be invited to explain the meaning of these terms.

How are you going to feel if you can’t answer these correctly?

To be honest, you may not even get to the interview stage unless you can show on your resume that you have successfully completed a mining induction safety training course – often referred to as the Standard 11.

Mining induction course – safety first!

The mining induction safety training course is the one course you should complete if you want to work in the mining and resource sector. This comprehensive training course is not free, therefore many people refuse to do it, yet they still expect they can just walk into a mining job without it.

This is not just a basic training course, it is a 2 day interactive course (held in convenient locations Australia-wide), with a pre-reading module and assessment to be completed by all students prior to the course commencement.

“Consider investing in this training course”

The mining induction course is also known as the Standard 11, which is a Queensland Government initiative and is compulsory for all mine site workers to have competed the training before they can set foot on any Queensland mine site. If you are looking for entry level mining jobs in other States of Australia, the mining induction certification of completion and attainment is not� required.

iMINCO recommends that all new starters in the industry who are looking to work in the industry consider investing in this training course as it will give you first hand knowledge of the industry from the perspective of OH&S best practice.

Mining companies also carry out a mine site specific induction for all new employees. This is an introduction to the mine site SOP’s, safety plans and many other site specific information that new recruits need to know in order to be safe from hazards as well as making sure they don’t contribute to them.

BHP have a site specific training program called BMA (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance) Induction, although this is undertaken once you have been accepted by the company as an employee.

Present yourself professionally and competitively with a mining specific resume

Entry level mining jobs do not mean entry level applications. Having a mining specific resume is one of the first and foremost items you should invest in! Getting past the gatekeeper takes some talent “� especially when employers are wading through hundreds of applications a day.

So how do you make yourself really stand out? A professionally written resume can absolutely assist you in getting your foot in the door. A resume is not just an overview of your working history “� it truly is your own marketing tool for life!

“You often get 30 seconds to make an impression”

You often get 30 seconds to make an impression, so make it count. The investment in having a professionally written resume could mean the difference of $100K in your wage and a complete change of life. A couple of hundred dollars to invest in an expert resume writer is the first step in opening doors and becoming a competitive candidate amongst the thousands of people on the lookout for entry level mining jobs.

Entry level job opportunities with labour hire companies and contractors

Many mining companies go through labour hire or contracting companies for their skilled operator or trade jobs. If you have the skills and civil experience as a tradie or machinery operator, have the relevant mining tickets, and are new to the mining industry, then collating a list of contacts and networking with the key labour hire and contracting companies in the area is absolutely essential.

“Your golden ticket into the mining industry”

They know everybody and can help seek out the entry level mining jobs for you! Obviously it`s better to have as many people on board looking for work for you AND remember if they score you a job they get commission.

ALSO REMEMBER – don`t burn your bridges. If you land yourself a contract with a mining labour hire company, do everything in your power to impress them. This could be your golden ticket into the mining industry and remember word spreads fast – it’s a surprisingly small community.

Persistence pays when looking for entry level mining jobs

One of the common traits many people who have landed entry level mining jobs have is persistence. Sometimes it`s not what you know but who you know.

Ask your friends and neighbours if they know anyone who is working in the mines as word-of-mouth is super powerful and is proving one of the best ways to landing entry level jobs in the mines. Again looking for entry level mining jobs is a full time job in itself. Draw on your research above, and stay in touch with HR contacts and get to know them “� you will be first on their mind should a job come across their desk.

“You must network yourself”

Also – keep these contacts informed of your availability and qualifications. Keep active and stay focused and positive. We are finding that it can take a good 6-9 months of persistence to crack an opportunity in the mines.� People have been known to send out hundreds of applications to receive little reply. Remember persistence does pay “� and picking up the phone and cold calling is one of the best ways to get to know people onsite. If you are job-ready, you never know “� you may just get to speak to the right person at the right time!

Research (daily) the Mining Companies you want to work for

Currently many training and placement companies have strategies in place to bring on ‘cleansins’ “� or to place people in entry level mining jobs. So if you are consistently looking at their websites, have enrolled on their jobs board, this is a great start.

“Be prepared by increasing your industry knowledge”

Don`t expect a gravy train to the nearest mine site to land on your front doorstep, remember how fierce competition is, and be prepared by increasing your industry knowledge.

It is absolutely essential to research everything you can about the mines in the area you are targeting. Staying in the loop of the ever-changing mining industry is a full time job with opportunities opening up every day. However, these jobs don`t ever make it to open market. Make yourself known to the Human Resources team of the mining companies or resource sector recruiters you are targeting.

Entry level mining jobs checklist

  • Ensure you have researched the mining industry closely, in particular the large Australian mining companies who own the mines in areas you are targeting for entry level mining jobs.
  • Visit the mining jobs boards on a regular basis and sign up for entry level mining job alerts.
  • Is your career path clear and are you confident selling yourself so you don`t sound wishy washy?
  • Do your research on the mining and resource industry first!
  • Go to the top Australian mining company websites and read all about what they do, get familiar with them.� You have to understand how their business works, what they do, where they do it and where their future growth is. You can take this knowledge and add snippets of it to your job application cover letter. This is very important as it makes you stand out from the other applicants who just use the same cover letter for all job applications.
  • Read in-depth information about the top mining companies on the Australian Stock Exchange. As listed companies, you can learn everything about their financial position and their forecast for growth. You will find a wealth of information about their mining operations, which is a great place to again build your knowledge. I would also recommend that you print out some of the information you have collected, place it in a nice folder and take it along to the interview. What recruiter would not be impressed by your level of resourcefulness – this is what they are looking for.
  • If you prepare your resume to be mining and resource sector focused you will be one step closer to getting an interview. Make certain your resume is up-to-date and has no spelling or grammatical errors as simple errors can make or break your application.
  • Read our resume tips to help you be more successful with your entry level mining job applications.
  • Prepare in advance for your interview. If you’re nervous or need help preparing then read our tips on “how to interview well for an entry level mining job“.
  • Mining jobs require you to physically fit and ready to start work. You will probably have to provide evidence you have passed a Coal Board Medical examination
  • Is your mining induction card valid? You will definitely need this to be current. You can also take a mining induction refresher course if you need to. Mining induction certification is valid for 5 years in Queensland and you can always complete a mining induction refresher course to re-validate your certification.
  • Look at what other mining, management, machinery skills training and OHS safety courses you can do to increase your entry level mining job opportunities.
  • iMINCO has more information for people starting out in the industry. Read our popular article on how to get into mining with no experience.
    This is a really good resource and shows you the steps to take to get an entry level mining job.
  • Increase your mining knowledge and get the mining and resource sector email newsletter iMINCO Project News.
  • Learn how to drive and maintain a 4 wheel drive vehicle, you may need these skills and it looks great on your resume too.
  • Depending on what type of entry level mining job you want to go for, there may be times you have to work in unusual places, such as at repairing lighting or cleaning equipment on a production conveyor assembly, or perhaps you will be required to work in dark, tight fitting compartments such as air conditioning room, or electrical installation rooms. Working in situations such as these requires you to have the correct knowledge to work safely as well as have the ability and confidence to know how to get to safety should an incident occur. There are two particularly relevant courses you can do such as the Enter and Work in Confined Spaces (RIIOHS204A ) and Work Safely at Heights (RIIOHS202A) course. These are highly interactive courses and generally only take a day to complete. They are highly regarded by mining companies because safety awareness is a top priority for all mining executives and managers.
  • Having a current first aid certificate can be advantageous too. The mining and resource sector can be hazardous, so you’ll be a more attractive candidate if you are equipped with the right knowledge on how to apply first aid on-site. A first aid course only takes a few hours to complete, so there’s no excused really!
  • Did you know 80 per cent of recruitment companies will check you out via social media? Get your social media profile cleaned up today! We’re talking about removing dodgy photos of you on facebook� etc. Remove anything that may hamper your chances of an interview -� foul language or dodgy pictures of you in compromising poses or situations does nothing to improve your job prospects.
  • When you submit your job application, always follow it up with a phone call to ask if they have received it. This shows you are keen, motivated and action based.
  • If you’ve have not heard back from them within a week or so, don’t give up – call them and enquire about your application progress, be persistent – but polite at the same time. The application process can take time, but don’t drop the ball and forget about your dream mining job.
  • Be prepared to answer questions if you get an email or a phone call regarding your job application – know your stuff and be confident in your abilities.

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