In reply to mattck:
Some good points on here already here's my tuppence
* As a new level one getting an intro from someone already in the company is probably the only way to get a start unless the company is desperate (then ask yourself why!).
* Have a bit of a career structure, you don't want to find yourself 45 years old on a rock job with a f*&%ed back and white finger. things to consider Inspection, rigging, GWO. Stick too it, don't let a company force your career direction if a company says they want you to train to be a painter or whatever its because that's what they need not what you need, but don't let this stop you taking advantage of a good opportunity.
* Be prepared to move companies, don't flit around companies as that will give you a bit of a bad rep but don't get stuck in a low paid rut either, choose jobs that will give you experience and help your CV, five years window cleaning is not going to help you move into a well paid career.
* Have an exit strategy even if its a sideways move within the industry, you'll thank the younger you when you've got kids and a partner and months away on suddenly not so great money.
* Oil and gas is dying slowly, get into renewables if your tempted by offshore or look at decommissioning.
* Become IT and Microsoft proficient as this will help you later if you want to move on into supervision/management.
Good luck
Post edited at 09:18