How Yachting Beginners Landed Their First Job

Uncategorized Jan 11, 2021
Are you excited about the prospect of a superyacht job -- but worried you don’t have the right background?

 

Does your CV look a little thin? Not sure how your previous work experience is relevant on a yacht?

 

That’s okay! The good news is, many people have made the jump from “land life” to superyacht life -- and you can do the same!

 

Here are some of the best tips we’ve collected over the years on how you can write a CV that stands out -- and show the captain you'll be a valuable member of the team.

 

With input from stewardesses to chefs to captains and crew agencies, this is just what you need to know.

 

 

1. Look at Your Whole Job History

 

Chances are, you’ve had some type of job in service or hospitality. So many of us work these jobs when we’re just starting out or part-time while we’re in school.

 

Waiting tables, serving drinks, even washing dishes can be skills that make you shine.

 

 

Working as a bartender or barista is a great way to save some extra money and add a critical skill while you prepare for your yachting career.

Sarah, Yachting Newcomer (Stewardess)

 

Look over your job history from small jobs to side gigs, and think about how these have prepared you for customer service!

 

2. Look Through A Yachting Lens

 

When you put your work history on a resume, you’re usually listing the basics - title, employer, job duties.

 

But thinking about what you’ve done from the perspective of the yachting industry can reveal similarities and experiences you might have overlooked.

  

 

Even though you think your work history is unrelated, there are probably a lot of similarities.

Kelly (Stewardess), Prior Yoga Teacher & Nanny

 

Here are two ways that Kelly highlighted herself and stood out from the crowd.

 

Kelly worked as a nanny - but she didn’t just list “childcare” on her resume.

 

When she was writing her yachting resume, she focused on the diversity of clientele from all around the world and the high-end experience expected by her clients.

 

As a result, she showcased how she was ready to step into providing 5-star service for the global clients on yachts.

 

Kelly also worked as a yoga teacher and taught stand up paddleboard yoga. Even though she had no experience handling a boat, she could talk about reading the sea conditions, winds, and making decisions on guest safety for her SUP yoga students.

 

By bringing a nautical perspective into this experience, she showed a captain that she was creative, interested, and able to adjust to the yachting world!

 

3. Use Your Skills to Find the Best Jobs

  

 

I treated applying for yachting jobs as a job itself. I looked at it as a sales job -- just like what I’d done in my previous career.

Wade (Deckhand) Previous career in sales & marketing

 

 

Worked in a desk job? It’s likely you had to do some combination of writing emails, preparing documents, and public speaking. 

 

If you’ve got some of these “paper” skills, you’ll have a leg up as you prepare your job search.

 

Make marketing yourself your new priority, and make sure you’re ready with your digital CV paper documents.

 

People working desk jobs also often have to have good attention to detail -- and this is desirable for both interior and exterior yacht crew!

   

4. Show Your Personal Strengths

 

To be successful as superyacht crew, you need to be driven, honest, and hard working.

Suzanne, Crew Placement Agency Owner

 

One of the best things about yachting is you can learn on the job. Not everyone knows how to serve a gourmet meal in a tight space or how to drive a tender (small boat).

 

But - if you show from past experience that you're motivated, you learn quickly and you work hard, you’ll be a top candidate.

 

How did you take on more responsibilities in your previous work? When did you have to put your head down and take care of an unpleasant task?

 

Highlight these kinds of things on your yachting CV or have the stories ready to share during your interviews.

 

What could YOUR CV say about you that you haven’t realized?

 

Take a look at your latest resume and look at the details of the work you’ve done.

 

We’re willing to bet there’s more there than you’d expect that sets you up to be a competitive applicant for a superyacht job!

 

 

Still need more help?

 

Our online entry-level yacht crew courses are opening up soon. Complete them at your own pace and access our CV resources which come as a part of these invaluable packages.

Coming soon!

 

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