re: How does one go about getting a plant operator job?

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Tricks from an insider. This is what they're looking for.

1. You're a team player, and not a selfish son of a bitch. If you're sitting down and a co-worker is doing something, be out there with him (even if it's not your area or you don't think he needs help). If you are training, especially be out there. If he's doing something high risk and says he doesn't need your help, tough shite. You're gonna be out there anyway.
2. Follow procedure. Follow PPE requirements. Never relax on either. You do and will, but nobody needs to know about that, especially in an interview. As far as they know, procedure and rules are the gospel, unless approved to do otherwise by leadership.
3. If you don't know anything, ask. Do not pretend to know. If your first sources blows you off like it's a stupid question and/or you should know, go to a 2nd source. DO NOT just pretend to know and go do it without seeking help. In some cases, that could cost you your life and could create an environmental nightmare and cost you your job with potential jail time.
4. Follow the format for every question of what happened, what you did to resolve or attempt to resolve, and what the end result was. Some are sticklers about this and even if you knock it out the park on giving a real life example to answer the question, they will consider it a shitty answer because you didn't follow up with the format.

5. You do not take risks. You do not lie. You do not bend the rules. You do not cover up for others. You confront somebody when they aren't following the rules even if you're brand new and he/she has been there for 40 years. You are a rat. You are a company man. Even if you detest all of those things, that's what they want to hear from you. As far as they're concerned, you're all of those things. Chances are you will be none of those (hopefully), but again, they don't need to know about it.

6. The plant comes first. If you are doing more than one thing, the process always carries precedence over all other things. You have to prioritize at times, and that's that.

7. Safety first. Safety for you, safety for those around you, and safety for the environment.


I promise anybody, if you follow those, you will knock it out the park.

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