Your CV should include, and have visible at first glance:
Your photo. Headshot wearing typical yachting clothing. Not a selfie or picture with sunglasses or cut from a wedding album or a red-eye, night-out photo with arms or hands drooped around your neck.
Contact details and location. As many contact details as possible to ensure you are reachable. Make sure the mobile contact on your CV is your latest if you are moving between yachting hubs.
Qualifications. STCW10 and Medical Fitness (ENG 1) at the very minimum.
Relevant/transferable work experience – so that the hiring manager can immediately see your potential.
Transparency. Give detailed and exact employment dates. These will be verified.
Longevity – If you have job longevity or have been re-employed, then underline this.
Sports/watersports skills. Yachting is a physically demanding job, and sports skills show you have stamina.
Additional qualifications. If you have any valuable additional qualifications such as a personal trainer or yoga instructor certification, you’re a masseuse or a drone pilot, be sure to indicate those on your CV as well.
Referees (giving name, job title, establishment, current email and telephone contact). Ideally, you should list three referees.
List Visas with expiry dates.
With so many people looking for work, you really do need to differentiate yourself. When applying for jobs remember to:
Increase your chances of finding work by dock walking, either early in the morning or late afternoon for the next day. You need to be resistant to refusals. However, tenacity pays off.
When dock walking, you should have:
Remember, day-work can sometimes lead to a job so give your best, arrive on time and respect the onboard protocol.
If you are expecting a call following a job interview whilst day-working, inform your superior and ask if you may have your phone turned on ready to answer.
If you find day work then are called back a second or third time, try and get a written reference from the crew member you report to. A reference of your first yachting experience will help in finding permanent employment.
Industry Events & Shows – Crew often find their first yachting related job by day-working at industry events and shows. If you are offered such an opportunity, then take it up, as shows will expose you to the exacting expectations of the industry at exciting venues whilst growing your network.
Social Media – can be the make or break of being hired. Part of today’s hiring process is checking out a potential candidate’s Facebook page. Make sure that your public page shows non-offensive photos and comments.
Local Crew Houses and hangouts – Staying at a reputed crew house can be an excellent way of meeting crew and learning about the industry. Some crew houses make it their business to help crew find employment by informing the local crewing agencies of their residents. Have a social life, but don’t party to the extreme as reputations soon spread in this small industry.
Crew Agencies – Build a relationship with a few quality and established agencies such as TCN, that are MLC 2006 compliant and respect seafarers’ rights. These are the recruitment specialists that have often built their clients’ careers and can be entrusted with yours. If they are part of a large brokerage or management company, the opportunities for employment will be multiplied for you.
