Well thanks to Icon Films, we are giving away a bunch of double passes to a preview screening of the new Jason Statham flick, SAFE.

Remember Jason Statham in Transporter, the hard nut who could drive a car better than Michael Schumacher? Or in Snatch, where he had a sense of humour as dry as the desert and still had class? Well Statham looks like he isn’t going to disappoint again in SAFE!

For you chance to win one of 20 double passes to a VIP preview screening of SAFE, simple tell us in the comments below why you love working in the Mining Industry so much? Is it the money? The lifestyle? Let us know in the comments below before 5.00pm Monday 23rd April and we’ll choose the 20 best answers. Don’t forget to leave your name and email address when you submit your comment so we can get hold of you if you’re the winner.

Good luck!

From the Mining People team.

NOTE: The movie preview is held on Tuesday 1′st May at Event Cinemas Innaloo.

I bumped into a European friend of mine the other day that has recently gone to site as a Mining Engineer. He had a strong opinion (after only 2 swings) that the team of Australian Engineers he was working with did not work hard and therefore he had stereotyped Aussies as being ’lazy’.

This poll isn’t about my mate who formed a knee-jerk view that Aussies were lazy, instead we wanted it to create discussion amongst all of you that have worked with different cultures and personalities in the mining industry.

Thefreedictionary.com, helps define the two.

Laid-back: “Informal relaxed in style, character, or behaviour; easy-going and unhurried.”

Lazy: “Resistant to work or exertion; disposed to idleness.”

A laid-back worker isn’t lazy because they’re still prepared to put in the hard work when it counts and matters. A lazy worker, as described by thefreedictionary.com is someone that is resistant to work and usually ISN’T prepared to put in the hard work when necessary.

Maybe a laid-back lifestyle of sun, beach and BBQ’s is getting confused with laziness?

Answer our poll below and let us know in the comments, your experience with other Aussie workers.

Happy voting,

Elliot Mist –  Mining People International

 Take Our Poll

The editors of MPi LIFE promote open constructive debate about topics that affect people within the mining industry. To encourage this we aim to present thought provoking ideas and concepts in a way that is respectful of all views. We welcome comments on all articles presented and encourage contributors to comment respectfully and without personal attack. We reserve the right to remove any comment that we deem to be offensive or not supporting the ideals we strive to promote here.

We have some great resources and products for workforce mining candidates so we thought it would be good to go on a treasure hunt, find them and put them all in one place for you in this blog post.

Job Alerts

Jobs come to you, you don’t go to them. Sounds like a simple idea right? That’s because it is. MPi Job Alerts allows you to choose the jobs you’re interested in and when we post jobs on our Job Board that suit your profile, we’ll send you an email with a link to the job description and the ability to apply right there and then. It’s simple, free and just plain awesome!

Click here for Job Alerts.

MPi Job Board

At MPi, we know mining better than anyone because it’s ALL WE DO. We don’t try and master any other industries because there are plenty of candidates out there like you that need recruiters that know and understand mining. We also have consultants all around Australia creating strong relationships with mining companies, so most jobs on our Job Board, you won’t find anywhere else.

Click the below links to search for jobs in your category:

Field Staff Jobs

Trades Jobs

Processing Jobs

Operators Jobs

Mining Salaries

We’ve been collecting salary data over at miningsalaries.com.au since 2008 and we love to share this information with our candidates. Head over to miningsalaries.com.au and you’ll learn what you’re worth in the ever-changing mining industry. You’ll also get a good idea of what salary packages include to make sure you haven’t pulled the short straw!

Click here for Mining Salaries.

Mining People FAQ’s

Our FAQ page on our website gets over 10,000 visits per month. If you or a friend need advice on how or what steps to take next for your mining career, check out our FAQ page.

Click here for FAQ’s.

MPi LIFE

You’re reading it. MPi LIFE blog provides you with mining news, career tips, discussions and anything else we feel you want to read and participate in as a mining candidate.

We want to know what you want from MPi as a mining candidate. Let us know in the comments box below and we’ll do our best to satisfy your mining career needs in upcoming editions.

The editors of MPi LIFE promote open constructive debate about topics that affect people within the mining industry. To encourage this we aim to present thought provoking ideas and concepts in a way that is respectful of all views. We welcome comments on all articles presented and encourage contributors to comment respectfully and without personal attack. We reserve the right to remove any comment that we deem to be offensive or not supporting the ideals we strive to promote here.

The below video is a great mini documentary which discusses the effects of the mining industry on mining employees, local business owners, indigenous and the environment.

It’s a 25 minute video but you’ll be sure to have a lot in common and relate with the miners and topics covered.

Disclaimer: MPi, in no way represents or promotes the Aljazeera network. We are simply sharing a video that we think is relevant and interesting for you and your families. Enjoy!

Have you ever thought what you would look for in a potential employer?

Chances are, if you are a women, your priorities will be different to those of a man.

In a survey of 7,000 Australian job seekers, recruitment firm Randstad found that men are more likely to look for money and career progression, whereas women were more concerned with issues such as flexibility and a strong workplace culture.

“….employers need to recognise that men and women have different requirements…”

The survey found that the top things men wanted were:

1. Career progression
2. Financial stability
3. Strong management/leadership
4. Strong image and reputation
5. Long term security

Women wanted:

1. Flexible working environment
2. Strong workplace culture
3. Convenient location
4. Good work/life balance
5. Good learning and development

Our experience at Mining People (MPi) is that employers, even in the previously regimented mining industry, are starting to take notice and are structuring certain job descriptions and conditions accordingly.

Let us know if you agree, but also what you’re seeing out there.

Source: Consistent with our efforts to help promote diversity in the mining industry workplace and following some of our recent market surveys, we spotted this interesting article in the ‘HR Leaders Journal’ late in 2011.

The editors of MPi LIFE promote open constructive debate about topics that affect people within the mining industry. To encourage this we aim to present thought provoking ideas and concepts in a way that is respectful of all views. We welcome comments on all articles presented and encourage contributors to comment respectfully and without personal attack. We reserve the right to remove any comment that we deem to be offensive or not supporting the ideals we strive to promote here.

Firstly, stop playing the blame game!

So you’re frustrated and you can’t quite seem to get the job you want or think you deserve.

Well first off, remind yourself that YOU are in control of your own career destiny. No one else is going to do the hard work for you and no one else cares much about your problems. It’s time to look at what you can do about your career and stop blaming others!

Let’s paint the picture a little clearer with an example:

You’ve worked underground as a driller for seven years now, based on the same site, working with the same crew but it’s time to look for a surface role. You have great rapport with your management and co-workers and you have great ’mining experience’, so you think you’re a good chance for a surface job. One weekend you head over to a recruitment website and apply for several surface operator roles. Unfortunately, after applying for three positions you were unsuccessful. The recruiters said you didn’t have the qualifications or experience for those positions. You’re upset and scratch your head but move on.

A few more months pass but the urge to get out of underground remains and you decide to try again. You again apply for several surface roles that you believe you are qualified for. Once again you are rejected due to not having the right type of experience.

Now you’re at the cross roads. What do you do?

You could either:

a) Play the blame game and jump on Facebook and start blaming recruitment agencies, employers and everyone else except yourself.

Or,

b) Stick at it and start doing some of the following three steps to give yourself the BEST opportunity you can in finding that surface job you really want.

1. Ask, listen and act

Be curious. Ask questions of your current employer, recruiters and even other employers. Ask them what experience do they want to see in you for a surface role. Don’t act like a know-it-all. Ask the questions, listen and then apply the feedback you’re given.

2. Don’t give up

If you’re finding yourself not having any luck with getting the job you want, don’t ever give up! It’s easy to say, “Oh it’s too hard” or pass the blame on to others and surrender your dreams but the people who make it and live their dreams are the ones that keep at it.

Keep asking the questions and applying the advice given. Sooner or later it will pay off.

3. Surround yourself with positive people

Don’t let others bring you down. If you continue to come across people blaming others, don’t let this be you and perhaps stay away from them! You will continue to come across others who will settle for second place, just don’t let this be you. Don’t get sidetracked and distracted. How much does this dream job matter to you? Go for it!!

Have you got your own opinion or theory on this topic? Do you think you’ve followed the above three steps and still not got anywhere? Let us know your story in the comments below.

This article was written by Elliot Mist of Mining People International.

The editors of MPi LIFE promote open constructive debate about topics that affect people within the mining industry. To encourage this we aim to present thought provoking ideas and concepts in a way that is respectful of all views. We welcome comments on all articles presented and encourage contributors to comment respectfully and without personal attack. We reserve the right to remove any comment that we deem to be offensive or not supporting the ideals we strive to promote here.

We recently asked the question:

“What would motivate you to move on from your current roll?”

A staggering 61.3% of you said you would move on for a better salary. A better roster was the number two motivator at 31.6% of the votes and 7.1% of you mentioned better camp facilities would be your motivator for moving roles.

We’ve talked about this in the past and asked a similar survey question:

“Is money the number one reason why you work in the mining industry?”

Once again 79% of our mining candidates answered yes.

Following on from last months article where we explored how well mining employees actually used their great salaries to better theirs and the lives of their families, we still perhaps need to explore this further.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Does my work/life balance have a positive or negative effect on my happiness?
• How can I ensure, that more money WILL better my life?
• Does an employer’s reputation matter – to my personal satisfaction and my career?

Take a step back and answer these questions honestly. Perhaps after doing that some changes might occur in your thinking. Either way, you will certainly make better decisions about that next job and you and the people around you, will be happier for it.

The editors of MPi LIFE promote open constructive debate about topics that affect people within the mining industry. To encourage this we aim to present thought provoking ideas and concepts in a way that is respectful of all views. We welcome comments on all articles presented and encourage contributors to comment respectfully and without personal attack. We reserve the right to remove any comment that we deem to be offensive or not supporting the ideals we strive to promote here.

We recently conducted a survey of visitors to our web site and found that more than 75% of people were primarily in the mining industry for the money.

So what!

That is no great shock given the stories circulating in newspapers all over the country that tell anyone with no licenses and no skills that they can make $200,000 a year.

We all know that’s not entirely true, but some people still believe what they read in the newspapers!

The deeper truth is: well above average incomes can be earned, but how does it actually changes the lifestyle and wealth of your family over the long term.

1. How much better a home do you end up with because of the sacrifices you make?
2. How much better an education do you give your children because of the sacrifices you supposedly made for them?
3. How many more holidays are you able to have in your family’s lifetime to compensate for all the isolation and longer hours you put in?
4. How much bigger will your superannuation fund be?

The sad answer to many of these questions is of course “not much” for far too many people.

Yes the mining industry pays good money but if you get into it with that sole goal in mind and you do nothing to better arrange your finances, save, make better plans for some of the things listed above, then you will most likely end up like hundreds and hundreds of others I have seen in my time in this industry. You’re likely to become just another high spending, materialistic, consumption junkie.

My advice for those who haven’t ditched me is that if this sounds like you:

“Just another three years darling and we’ll be able to quit this and move to the coast…”

and you have been repeating this hollow promise for the last 10 years, then it is time for you to stop telling lies and admit you are never going to be any better off than someone on half your income and currently going home each night. You’d be way better off quitting your job in the mining industry right now and spending more time with your family, or, get real and start making a proper financial plan (get some help) with goals, get buy-in from your family and start delivering on your promises.

But how do you do this?

OK so if you’re serious about making real progress then we’d suggest you speak with your better organised friends or family, ask them who they get financial advice from, and speak with trusted people who are succeeding themselves.

This won’t necessarily be an Accountant or your Bank Manager, but it might be. Sometimes they’re great at tax and banking, but not much else.

Ultimately most people benefit from third party, independent, financial advice tailored to their specific circumstances. You might have to pay for it and in fact the best advice is often NOT free because as we all know generally nothing of value comes free of charge.

The idea should be to invest a small amount now to build much more wealth for later.

The result is you will get more passionate about your work, you will have a purpose and there will seem to be better meaning to all those sacrifices you’re currently making.

Now these are all  just opinions of course and I have got no doubt it will fire some people up. But hey that’s OK just keep in mind I have been doing this for 30 years and started my working life repairing ripped Underground Vent Bags and driving trucks. I have seen a few people come and go, and sadly far too many get cynical.

My aim is simply for you not to become one of them!

So comment away but keep it polite.

This article was written by Steve Heather, Managing Director of Mining People International.

The editors of MPi LIFE promote open constructive debate about topics that affect people within the mining industry. To encourage this we aim to present thought provoking ideas and concepts in a way that is respectful of all views. We welcome comments on all articles presented and encourage contributors to comment respectfully and without personal attack. We reserve the right to remove any comment that we deem to be offensive or not supporting the ideals we strive to promote here.

We’re always honest and tell people Mining People (MPi) is not the best company to help them get that start in the mining game. That’s because MPi is known as a business that works mainly with experienced people. Not because we can’t find jobs for greenskins, but simply because we’re an intermediary and our clients usually recruit their own first timers and only come to us when they want specific experiences.

We prefer to explain this to candidates with no experience, rather than get their hopes up.

There is an exception and that is if you arrive at our only (currently) regional office in Kalgoorlie then we will register you for starting jobs.

MPi LIFE is predominately written for experienced mining candidates, so if you have a friend who wants to get that start then perhaps pass them on this link.

http://www.miningpeople.com.au/faqs/how-to-get-a-start-in-the-mining-industry.aspx

It goes straight to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of our website and it spells out some simple truths and how to’s.

We hope it helps.

Have any ideas on how we can improve our FAQ’s? Let us know in the comments below.

The editors of MPi LIFE promote open constructive debate about topics that affect people within the mining industry. To encourage this we aim to present thought provoking ideas and concepts in a way that is respectful of all views. We welcome comments on all articles presented and encourage contributors to comment respectfully and without personal attack. We reserve the right to remove any comment that we deem to be offensive or not supporting the ideals we strive to promote here.

Are you regarded as successful and happy, but feel that you are starting to confuse activity with accomplishment or have confused what you want for yourself, with the expectations of others?

How to Get Your Mojo Back

These are not uncommon thoughts for supposedly successful and happy people. If you recognise them, then consider these tips to help you reclaim your own game:

1. Prioritise what is important and say no to what isn’t.
2. Take some quiet time, read, walk, think, sleep, and chill.
3. Write down the dream world you want for yourself.
4. Take one small step toward it.
5. Exercise – it does not have to be hard, but get your body moving.
6. Get counsel from a friend who will listen and help you.
7. Look at your whole eating plan – chances are it is toxic.
8. Leave your telephone, iPhone and Blackberry turned off. Enjoy the silence.

Source: Based on an article in the Business Review Weekly April 21-27, 2011.

The editors of MPi LIFE promote open constructive debate about topics that affect people within the mining industry. To encourage this we aim to present thought provoking ideas and concepts in a way that is respectful of all views. We welcome comments on all articles presented and encourage contributors to comment respectfully and without personal attack. We reserve the right to remove any comment that we deem to be offensive or not supporting the ideals we strive to promote here.