Tips for succeeding in a yacht job interview by Metropolitan College Superyacht Academy.
As a trained yacht crew professional, you will find yourself in front of a lot yacht owners or recruiters who search for the right candidate. Sometimes it may occur through placement or recommendations. However, presenting yourself is a skill worth acquiring for every step in your life. Either it is your first or your 20th time, the interview process is definitely can be a very stressful but also challenging process since you are asked to prove your skills, your potential on board, your ability to excel and the reasons that make you are the right one for the job.
However, it helps to keep in mind that an interview remains a conversation between two people who each have something that the other wants. Therefore, the key for the candidate is to come across as competent, confident and friendly.
Here are a few tips to upgrade your profile and increase the chances to get the job when it comes to an interview concerning a job onboard!
- Show up on time.
- Have your paperwork all sorted out.
- If you have already worked in the past, include a references section inside your resume sharing contact info of a person who will speak positively for you. If your previous job was a bad experience avoid asking for a reference.
- Spend time on the interview focused on both speaking and listening.
- When you speak don’t be distracted with checking at your phone or other devices.
- Remember to thank the captain or the crew agent for his or her time.
The most frequently asked questions and how to answer them:
- Why do you want to work on a yacht?
Highlight what you can offer to the yacht and talk about how your previous experience in the yachting or the hospitality sector has formed you and how this experience will help you to complete the role.
- Why should we hire you?
Here is the opportunity to sell yourself one last time. In order to convince that you are right for the job make sure to convey that you are a solution to a recruitment problem and to meet the employer’s needs.
- Do you have any questions?
Instead of asking about the salary, ask about the yacht, the crew, your duties and the itinerary.
Except hard skills and experience, soft skills are the ones that can set you apart from the crowd. So, it will be highly appreciated to:
- Convey team spirit and adaptability. This shows you can fit well with others whilst living and working together in close quarters.
- Show that you are eager to learn.
- Demonstrate resilience and commitment to the job. This makes clear that you will not quit halfway through the season.
Last, but not least! Since the appearance factor plays a major role when working on luxury yachts, it is important to make a good first impression.
- Dress properly
- A clean white polo shirt or t-shirt with beige or navy trousers or skirt is a safe option.
- Be well groomed
- Wear your hair up and neat and tidy. Smell good. Also, if you are a woman, look as natural as it gets, leaving heavy make up at home and have clean, shaped nails.
Searching the right training programme for you?See the full list of Metropolitan College Superyacht Academy courses and get ready to enter the yachting industry as a well-trained professional!