OPI is a very challenging job actually. You task is to improve the operational performance, like improve process output, reliability, downtime, etc. OPI is more towards process than instrument and control. You will learn a great deal of petrochemical process and control.

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Added on December 30, 2008, 8:10 amBy the way, I am a chinese fresh grad working in Petronas. There are currently 2 chinese in my section, and quite number of chinese and indian, and other non-malay (i.e. sarawakian, sabahan) in my entire department. Had a few chinese friends working in other OPU.

My GM is a chinese. There are other high position management i.e. SM, GM that are non-malay, which not many people aware off unless you are from the industry.

Career progression is very structured here. All staff get equal opportunity for training, work exposure. I work in technical side, engineering. Everyone here is very professional, and boss treated everyone equally.

But then again, this is my personal experience. What you have heard from a friend, of a friend, of a friend, of a friend..... could be true. But I can assure you, there is nothing like master and slave, discrimination, etc.

This post has been edited by Aurora: Dec 30 2008, 08:10 AM

Indeed, there are other company which offer much higher salary than PETRONAS. Many of them left to middle east, while others move on to other local company and international company. But mostly still work within this region, based at ASEAN country, Sg, Msia. People leave for several reasons:

1. Money (majority)
2. Promotion (majority)
3. Change Working Environment
4. Looking for Challenge
5. PETRONAS HR transfer them to other location, change job description which not to their liking
6. Others

For fresh grad, only Shell, Exxon, Schlumberger, Bakers have more attractive package. Other company i.e. consultants, contractors are generally lower.

It's normal. The letter means you pass the interview and they place you in recommended list. By recommended list means your resume and details are available for every manager level and above, and HR department from all petronas subsidiaries company for review. Whichever OPU is interested, they may raise to HR central. But that is typical for fresh graduate, since they don't have specific experience, so any location and job will do.

As for your case, since you went for an interview for a particular position, my guess is you are in. But don't take my word for it. Just wait patiently for your official offer letter Happy waiting

pyareaishq: yup, just hope for the best

Oil and gas is also affected, the oil price speaks for itself already. Most of petrochemical plant has stop production already. If petronas only focus on mainstream, the effect would be less significant.

For application, there is a website link few page earlier.

Try follow up with HR more often. But bear in mind, it is getting tougher to join petronas now than ever. For all you know, you probably is on the list, but with thousand of applicants, you name may be put between the list. Just remember to be nice and friendly, people tend to remember friendly people.

The structure interview consist of questionaire, personality test (questionaire), interview, and depends on the position you applied, there maybe other test.

The questionaire and other test are hosts by third party company. Interview is conducted by managers level and above. HR has no way of manipulating the result or making preference over certain people. Haven't heard of "cable" hiring for long time already. But then, there are cases where managers handpick a person, where he previously had engage with (i.e. in interview, interns). But the selection is done purely because the person is good.

Nowadays, people don't just simply recommend others (incompetent person) into the organisation anymore. First, if they can't perform, the boss need to answer. If recommend under another department, then that department boss will come make noise with the person who recommend him. This happen in any other corporate company.

The rumours which petronas cannot marry among colleague is true, applied for new hire. Nobody know the reason behind it, but some speculation said that this is to eliminate the incorrect mindset of general public on the so-called "cable-entry" or "cable-hiring".

Malvo, try get more information from them, like normally what position is usually offered with that qualification of yours. This will make them look up their system, if not start thinking. Who knows suddenly they see a vacant and might just put you through. In return, they may ask you what is your preference. Try relate with your current experience and oil and gas, it helps to get you somewhere. The longer you talk on the phone, the more HR gets to know you. Among all the stranger on the paper which they deal everyday, eventually people tend to help someone which they know about, or they think they know about. This is basic phychology trick.

vin_ann, all the best in your second attempt!

For those who still don't quite understand petronas due to lack of information, here's some I wish to say. (Hopefully you are willing to listen ). Yup, I'm a satisfy employee working in petronas. I'm a non-Bumi working under a Bumi boss, don't have much non-Bumi colleague, but nevertheless there wasn't any issue of racist in my office. There isn't any relative (close and far) or friends that work in petronas, except for myself. Over the years working here, I meet a few friends who has the same background as me.

These days, the competition is just too tough. While UTP has strengthen their undergrad programme, review and revise every several years. Their graduates are just too good. In the next 5 years, once the first batch of petroleum students graduate from UTP, it would be even tougher for other universities to compete in this industry.

Salience: I have never heard of chit chat appointment by HR. Where is your appointment? Could be called by managers or senior managers, that may happen if you are experience and they happen to look for specific skills. No harm trying

First time I heard about Alibaba... Wah, didn't know petronas was known as alibaba by contractors. What can I say, maybe you happen to deal with the nastiest staff, not that I have never encounter one myself

bigriverian, compare to your previous job, does the new salary satisfy you? If it does, and you don't have any other offer, why not accept it. SCM is a good place to start build up your network, since the job itself already involve a lot of communication and coordination work. And you will meet people from the field, which might further give your career a boost.

To everyone else,
Petronas is just another corporate company, expanding their business and making profit is their nature of business. It does have a set of rule for employee career progress. The one which decide whether an employee is eligible for promotion, is the direct manager, not the system. If one get a tough manager, rather than moaning and complaining, one could always work harder to prove ones worth. If one couldn't even handle one tough boss, how would he manage others when he is promoted to higher position?

For permanent staff, it depends on your negotiation skills, and how you promote yourself. Only one hint, don't sign the offer letter or start working unless the terms you agreed with the HR has been spell out in official letter. If they promise to increase after probation, or will review once you join, it won't happen.

For direct/contract hire, the arrangement is different.

Petronas has outsource their IT service, now handle by iPerintis. They use to be a part of Petronas, I guess they still inherit some of their culture and practice. It has been few years already now.

In any company, bonus is uncertain, unless it is clearly stated in your offer letter (i.e. 13 months salary). For Petronas, it is not stated in offer letter. As it suggest, bonus is in fact, a "bonus", or "extra". Try to live with lower expectation if you accept the offer. Economy is really bad.

Do you know that other big O&G company are cutting down their resources?