Your FIFO journey is gaining some traction. You likely already know about the benefits and you’ve probably spent time researching the different roles. But how do you actually get these jobs?
I’m here to help answer that question. This is my full guide on how to find and land the best FIFO mining jobs.
This post covers some basics about FIFO mining work before looking at the best places to find job opportunities. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what you need to do.
So let’s get right to it.
FIFO Mining 101
FIFO (fly-in fly-out) jobs are temporary roles in remote locations. Companies will fly you out to construction mining sites to work for a period of time.
It’s a flexible career with various benefits – but it’s not for everyone. The work is hard and the hours are long. But if you can do it, the payoff can be huge.
Benefits of FIFO Mining Jobs
- Great pay
- Flexible schedule
- Great experience
- Attractive benefits
- Living facilities and on-site amenities
Types of FIFO Mining Jobs
- Production work. This includes heavy machinery operations for extracting, milling and processing materials.
- Maintenance and operations. This involves fixing and maintaining machinery, equipment and other tools on-site.
- Construction. This work has you building roads and other infrastructure for mining sites.
- Drilling and exploration. These jobs drill into the earth to uncover raw materials.
- General services. These roles include entry-level positions like cooking, housekeeping, security and administrative work.
- Shutdown work. This is when workers fly into mining sites during a shutdown period to make repairs and do other maintenance-related work.
Recommended: 6 Types of Mining Job in Australia
Where to Find the Best FIFO Mining Jobs
Your perfect FIFO mining job is out there. You just need to know where to look. So here are my top recommendations for finding good opportunities.
Go Through a Recruiter
My top recommendation for finding good FIFO jobs is to work with a recruiting company. These are agencies that work on your behalf, have industry connections and help prepare you for not only getting the job, but also growing in your career.
I recommend working with W1N W1N. They provide one-on-one consultations, online training and preparation, relocation assistance, resume help and more.
If you’re unsure where to start or you’re struggling to land an interview, try working through a recruiter. This will make your life easier.
Explore Job Sites
Job sites are another great starting point. You can explore the different companies out there and get an idea for the type of jobs available and what’s required.
A couple of popular sites for finding FIFO mining jobs in Australia are seek and Indeed. After creating a profile, you can upload your resume, send applications directly and also get alerts for when new jobs are posted.
Using job portal sites makes the whole job hunting process more organized and easier to discover new opportunities.
Build Your Network
As one saying goes, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.”
Regardless of the industry, networking is a powerful strategy for career growth. Making the right connections with the right people can lead to opportunities otherwise missed.
Many FIFO jobs are competitive, especially roles that don’t require experience. So networking is a smart way to make connections and stand out from the crowd.
Here are some tips for networking in the FIFO mining industry:
- Connect online. You can use professional social sites like LinkedIn to connect with hiring managers or people in the industry.
- Use your existing network. If you work in the industry, reach out to your contacts to see if they know anyone. You never know until you ask.
- Be professional. Networking shouldn’t be done casually. So stay professional and respectful.
- Do your research. Before reaching out to someone, do your research and get to know them. You’ll look more prepared and sound more professional.
- Don’t only reach out to upper management. Build relationships at all levels of an organization – even employees can give you key insights and make important introductions.
Apply Directly
Another potential avenue for finding FIFO mining work is to apply directly with a company. The biggest hurdle is finding them though. A simple Google search will mostly give you recruiters and staffing agencies.
You can use job sites like seek or Indeed to find company names. From there, explore their websites to see if they have a career page or contact information for job-related inquiries.
Finally, if you happen to know about a company doing FIFO mining construction work, you can always reach out directly to see if they’re hiring.
If you are seeking other roles: check out Sodexo and their selection of catering jobs.
Getting the Job: FIFO Mining Career Advice
Finding a FIFO job is only half the battle. So here are some key tips to actually get hired.
Get Some Certifications
FIFO certifications, or ‘tickets’, will dramatically improve your chances of getting hired. Many roles even require them. For example, having a white card is required to work on a construction site in Australia.
But ultimately, the tickets you need depend on the job you’re applying for and the company. Here are a few common certifications for FIFO mining work:
- Working at heights
- Confined spaces
- Scaffolding
- Rigging
Many of these training certificates can be done online and affordably. But remember, the money you spend on training is an investment that comes back to you with a higher paying, better job.
Breight Group is a popular website for online courses and FIFO training.
Create a Powerful Resume
A great resume is sometimes the deciding factor for getting a job. And a poor resume can be the very reason you never get a callback.
This is another reason I recommend working with a professional recruiter like W1N W1N. They help you prepare a winning resume – because they know exactly what FIFO companies are actually looking for.
Here are a few resume tips to keep in mind:
- Look for keywords in job postings and use them in your resume
- Highlight your key achievements
- Use active language
- Make it organized and professional looking
- Keep things concise
- Include your contact information and relevant links
- Don’t ignore ‘non traditional’ work – add all relevant experience
- Never lie
Don’t Rush – Make Sure the Company is Good
Your FIFO mining experience depends on many things. But a major factor to consider is the company you work for and the type of work you’ll be doing.
For this reason, it’s important to stay patient and ensure that the company (and position) you choose is a good one. You don’t want to be taken advantage of or work for someone who doesn’t appreciate their workers.
Here are some tips to make sure your FIFO job is worth it:
- Check for employee reviews
- Research the company’s reputation
- Ask about job benefits or other perks
- Explore the company’s website and make sure it’s secure
- Check that the company is legit with the ACCC
- Listen to your gut
Don’t Be Too Picky Either
Remember, good FIFO jobs are competitive. And sometimes, a foot in the door is a necessary first step before getting the job you really want.
For example, maintenance, operations and production jobs are more difficult to get. But if you start with an entry-level position (in construction, for example), you can gain valuable experience and establish connections before leveling up to a more competitive role.
It’s all about balance. Don’t take a bad job, but don’t wait for or expect the perfect role straight away either.
Work With a Quality Recruiter
I’ve already talked about the benefits of working with a FIFO mining recruiter, so I won’t hammer on this point too much.
But it is one of the best ways to get started in this industry. They take away the questions and confusion, showing you exactly what you need to know and where to start.
You can check out W1N W1N to learn more.
Stay Persistent
What’s the difference between someone who achieves their goals and someone who doesn’t? The person who succeeds simply never quits.
Landing a great FIFO job takes persistence.
Your first applications may get ignored. You may need to adjust your resume and approach. You may not get your first interview for a while and you may even need to get some certifications first.
All this is to say, if you just keep trying, you’ll get hired eventually. So this is just a friendly reminder to stay the course, set yourself up for success and stay patient.
Persistence always wins.
Wrapping Up
FIFO mining is an exciting opportunity to travel, gain valuable experience and get paid extremely well for doing it. But first, you need to get hired.
The best way to find good FIFO jobs is to work with a recruiter. I recommend W1N W1N for their extensive experience, expansive services and industry connections.
But if you’re really struggling to find a good offer, you may consider getting some certifications first. Many roles will require these and this can give your resume a serious leg up.
Just remember to stay persistent and keep applying. If you truly want it, you can have it.
