Maybe you learned about fly-in fly-out (FIFO) jobs online. Or maybe you heard about them through the grapevine. Whatever the case, you’re probably asking yourself one key question: Can you land FIFO mining jobs with no experience?
The short answer is yes, you can. But it’s a bit more nuanced than that. So I put together this guide on what you need to know and how to land a FIFO gig if you’re new.
Now let’s get to it.
What is FIFO Mining?
FIFO mining stands for fly-in fly-out. It’s when a mining company sends temporary employees to remote areas to work on different mining projects for a period of time. The work is hard but the pay is great.
You can learn more about FIFO work conditions and lifestyle.
A mining site has tons of different positions available. For example:
- Operating diggers and loaders
- Building roads and infrastructure
- Drilling and exploration
- Maintenance
- Cooking and cleaning
Each job will have different requirements and duties. So you’ll need to research more about each role and the companies offering them.
Recommended: The FIFO Mining Guide: How to Get Started
Can You Get FIFO Mining Jobs With no Experience?
Yes, you can get a FIFO mining job without experience. But since they’re easier to get, they also tend to be more competitive and harder to find.
If you’re persistent though, you can absolutely land an entry-level FIFO job.
FIFO Mining Jobs That Don’t Require Experience
FIFO mining jobs that don’t require experience are roles outside of specialized equipment use, on-site operations or using heavy machinery. These include general services work and some construction positions (although, these generally require at least a white card).
Here are some specific FIFO roles that don’t require experience or advanced ticketing:
- Cooking
- Cleaning
- Housekeeping
- Entry-level construction roles
Some companies may offer additional positions. For example, drilling assistant roles or entry-level gigs with on-the-job training. You can use a job search site like seek to look for these types of jobs.
Recommended: 6 Types of Mining Jobs to Know
4 Key Tips for Landing a FIFO Job With no Experience
Despite being more competitive, you can still find FIFO jobs without experience. Here are some key tips to give yourself a leg up.
1. Leverage Your Existing Experiences
You probably have more relevant experience than you realize. You just need to know where to look and how to tweak things in the right way.
Your previous experience may be just the thing you need to stand out in this competitive FIFO market. And expertise doesn’t just mean technical skills or roles.
There are many soft skills and relevant experiences that can translate well into FIFO mining. Highlighting these things can boost your chances of getting hired.
For example, here are some highly sought-after skills in FIFO work:
- Physical fitness
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Awareness of safety protocols
- Being a fast learner
- Hard working
- Working great with others
- Reliability
2. Create a Great Resume
Your resume is your first impression. So let’s make it good.
A resume is an opportunity to showcase your skills, get the attention of hiring managers and land an interview. It also provides critical information for recruiters, making their jobs easier and more organized.
FIFO companies need to go through thousands of applications and if you have a polished, fully optimized resume, you’re making their jobs easier. Naturally, this can improve your chances of landing an interview.
So here are some helpful tips, backed by data from resume.io:
- Include relevant skills. If you lack experience, highlight other skills that are important, such as the ones listed just above.
- Include key phrases and strong words. Avoid generic terms and stand out with relevant keywords that recruiters are looking for. Read the job descriptions completely and use similar words in your resume or application.
- Have a good photo. If you’re using a photo, make it professional.
- Always spell check. Make sure your resume has perfect grammar and spelling.
Read more: Landing a FIFO Job: Essential Career Advice
Also would recommend checking out my section on FIFO Mining and working with W1N W1N.
3. Keep Applying
The more lines you have in the water, the more likely you are to catch a fish. According to Zippia, it can take an average of 21-80 applications before getting an offer.
While this number depends on your experience, the competition and the industry, it still highlights the importance of consistency and volume.
And if you search “FIFO” in seek’s job search bar, you’ll see there are over 13K results (as of writing this article). So rest assured there are plenty of positions available. But that doesn’t mean you need to apply to every single one.
Finding a job can feel like a job in itself. Interviews, customizing your resumes and putting in applications gets exhausting. So here are some tips to be more selective and streamline the process:
- Only apply to reputable companies
- Use a resume template for easy customization
- Sign up for notifications so you can be the first to apply to new jobs
4. Stay Flexible
While you shouldn’t settle for any offer (especially if it’s not a good one), staying open to opportunities can make it easier to get hired.
FIFO job flexibility means you’re open to different start dates, location and job roles. Getting a foot in the door is most important here. From there, you can gain experience, make connections and prove yourself before landing better gigs.
So plan ahead and stay flexible with the type of jobs you’re offered. Don’t get taken advantage of, but don’t be too picky either if you’re just starting out.
Read more: How to Negotiate a Salary in Australia
What if I Can’t Find a FIFO Job Without Experience? Next Steps
Work on Getting ‘Tickets’
Tickets are certifications you can get to boost your resume, qualifications and chances of getting hired. In fact, many FIFO jobs will require you to have certain certifications.
For example, you’ll need to get a basic white card to work on a construction site in Australia. Luckily, courses like these can often be done online and for relatively cheap.
Investing in some training is a great way to stand out and get a better FIFO job – even if you don’t have any experience.
Here are some popular tickets, licenses and certifications worth considering:
- First aid
- A driver’s license
Top Tip: Speak to a Mining Recruiter like W1N W1N to find out if any of these tickets are worth doing.
Get Experience
If you’re really struggling to find a FIFO job with no experience, you may want to consider getting some relevant work experience.
For example, find an entry level position in construction or work in a relevant role for some time. Then, try reapplying with an updated resume. This of course requires some patience and delaying your FIFO work journey. But if you’re serious about this line of work, this is a smart stepping stone.
The more experience you get, the better jobs you can find.
Work With a Recruiter
When you’re all out of options (or you’re not sure where to start), working with a recruiter is one of the smartest decisions you can make.
A FIFO job recruiter is someone who works on your behalf to find, negotiate and get you the best FIFO jobs possible based on your preferences and experience level.
One company I highly recommend is W1N W1N.
