Halliburton Will Expand Its Workforce by 15,000 in 2011

Hiring at Halliburton Co. is in full swing. The Houston-based energy equipment and services company expects to add 15,000 employees by the end of the year, a jump of about 25% from its current staff, the company said.

In fact, the entire oil and gas industry is booming, and the hiring will include people with careers in technology, marketing and sales.

"2011 seems to be a return to the glory days with regards to oil and gas hiring," said Mark Guest, president of global job board OilCareers.com, in an email. "There is demand for increased technology, and in turn, sales and marketing."

Halliburton, which has a staff of more than 60,000 globally, has already hired about 5,000 people this year in a wide range of jobs, including manufacturing and engineering positions. The company anticipates hiring another 10,000 employees before the year is out, said company spokesperson Tara Mulee Agard. She didn't specify the exact nature of the positions.

Revenue is surging. Halliburton reached a record of $5.3 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2011, chief executive officer Dave Lesar said in a company statement regarding the company's earning release in April. Increased demand in the United States accounted for the more than 40% increase from a year ago.

Uncertainty over the economic recovery is driving up the price of crude oil and boosting needs for equipment and services, Guest said. More than half of the number of open job postings for the top oilfield service providers are located in the U.S.

Job hunters should focus on key companies if they are looking to get in on the expansion, according to data from OilCareers.com. Halliburton, Schlumberger Ltd., Baker Hughes Inc. and Weatherford International Ltd. are the driving forces behind the hiring.

Halliburton careers website: