That was my first thought when I read that the OP was "scared." Honestly, what is there to be afraid of? If the OP has the other job offer, and his current company "wishes him well" and tells him they can't match, then simply go with the other job. And walk away having learned that his current company ultimately didn't place enough value on having him around. It's better to find that out now, rather than spin your wheels for a couple of years, and then figure out that they simply won't pay what you (and the market) think you're worth, ever. As for possible alternatives for how he could have handled this, look at that as another lesson learned. Change doesn't have to be something to be feared. Change can be the best thing that ever happened to you.
I have a skillset that should applicable to many different industries. (Technical Operations Management/Project Management) I am a NASA flight controller with 11 years of shuttle and ISS experience. In addition to technical skills (satellite, RF, networks) I lead a team of approximately 80 engineers and backroom support personnel, and possess excellent real-time problem recognition, troubleshooting, and communication skills. In addition, I am nearing completion of my MBA later this year, so I have some business background as well. There are numerous positions in the O&G industry that I feel I would be a perfect match for, yet I can't even get a shot because I lack O&G experience. I feel like most of the O&G companies I apply to are just rejecting me out of hand due to the lack of industry experience, without really taking a look at my abilities. I'm really starting to feel that most of the HR people at these places are short-sighted and lazy. I hired a certified writer to help re-write my resume, and it is much improved and far less NASA-centric. I feel they did a good job of taking my accomplishments and capabilities and presenting them in a way that non-NASA persons can understand. I don't think the resume is the problem. Unfortunately I don't know exactly what the problem is.
I've written corporate communications and PR pieces for a national company (who'da thunk it right), I've also worked hand-in-hand with a professional writer and author. Writing isn't the key, it's knowing the buzz words that recruiters are looking and branding yourself as a candidate they'd want. Not saying your guy didn't help with that though, just something to consider. Does he understand the industry? I didn't realize you were looking at Oil & Gas specifically. Why? Considering your credentials I think the problem is with your search strategy. Also, if you aren't currently employed those recruiters will often pass you over. You'll need to explain why you're out of work in an acceptable way first.
Thanks Ziggy. I'm open to other industries in addition to Oil & Gas, but I guess coming from the Space business, which is really an industry in decline, at least on the government side, I was drawn to an industry that is likely to be growing for some time to come. I am currently employed. I am pretty safe at NASA and will always have a job if I want, but I think it's just time for a change. I have risen as far as I can go in my field. I am the type of person that needs ongoing challenges and inspiration. Some of my colleagues would be content with working flight control for the next 10 to 20 years. That's just not me. I feel like if I'm not continuously moving forward, that I would be moving backwards.
Sounds like you need to get the words 'oil' and 'gas' into the resume somehow so their keyword searches will get hits on your resume. Put a Personal Hobbies section at the bottom and mention how you like to cook on you gas stove and often fry things in oil. That should do the trick.
I think this is the root of your problem. The key to getting a good job these days is getting past the imbeciles in HR and somehow getting directly to a hiring manager, etc. Of course, that's easier said than done.
Nobody has a hobbies section (you know that though). The sad thing is -- that would actually work if you're submitting a resume through one of this SaaS platforms.
I'd look at IT or engineering firms as a Project Manager. But I'm not too familiar with your background aside from what I've seen in the movie Aliens. The fact that you are padding the business side of your resume should do wonders.
