Tips on Your CV
A curriculum vitae (CV) is a marketing tool to promote yourself. Imagine
this tool as being a brochure that lists the benefits of a particular
service. The service being yourself !
When writing a CV, look at
it from your employer’s point of view. Ask yourself if you would stand
out against the other candidates and if the person in charge of the
hiring would want to talk to you for a possible job? Your CV is the
first step in job hunting and will be your first contact with a
potential employer. If you are invited for an interview you will then be
able to explain and develop what is in your CV.
Make sure you take the time to
create an interesting and well presented CV. The information must catch
the reader’s interest and hold their attention.
If several CVs are presented to an
employer, yours could be rejected by the end of the first page unless
the information is significant and clearly presented. CV reading is
boring, and after 1 or 2 it is easy to glaze over and miss things. A
poorly written and presented CV, not only shows that you haven’t
bothered, but makes you look unsuitable, and consequently unemployable.
The basics of a good CV.
Your CV should make your application for the job look like it is a
win-win situation (the yacht will benefit from employing you just as
much as you would benefit from being part of the yacht crew). A good CV
should :
-Represent accurately all the information relevant to the job
(personal and professional);
-Be crisp - don't use long sentences whilst describing experience
and other qualities;
-Be well written to make interesting reading for the prospective
employer;
-Highlight your
achievements;
-Highlight your suitability for the job through relevant
experience, qualification and personal qualities (some examples are:
good communication skills, friendliness, reliability, fast learning
ability);
-Be free from spelling mistakes.
Writing your CV
Start with
your General Information:
-Name / Surname / Nationality / Local address / E-mail address / Phone
number
-Recent photograph. A good photograph is essential. (Choose a photo
showing that you are friendly, approachable, happy and welcoming).
-Personal Profile - About yourself, who you are, languages spoken, what
you can bring to a crew and maybe what you want from the industry.
-Relevant Skills - Your yachting or relevant land based skills.
-Yachting and Other Marine Qualifications - Your STCW, RYA, MCA and
other certificates such as health & hygiene, engineering, nursing... Get
the name of your qualification right (a Yachtmaster, is not the same as
a Master of Yachts). Also check the Issuing Authority (i.e. the MCA do
not issue Power Boat Level 2).
-Relevant Yachting Experience - Quote the professional first, follow by
the leisure. Include duties and responsibilities along with skills
applied. Keep it simple.
|
|
Continue with:
-Education.
-Schools, colleges, university. Keep this quite brief.
-Work Experience - This can be land based employment, other employment
etc. Keep non relevant details succinct. Accentuate skills that are
transferable, but make it clear, concise and to the point.
-Interests - These will say a lot about you, so keep it interesting.
Avoid things that could become crew politic issues, and could rule you
out immediately.
-Referees - The references will be checked,
so ask permission from the referees before including their details. Two
or three references are usually enough. Always include email and
telephone numbers.
CV Checklist
Current contact details.
A recent photograph.
Your relevant qualifications.
Information appropriated to the position.
A clear presentation.
Correct spelling.
Do not use different colours.
Ask a friend to check everything before handing your CV to anybody.
Job Hunting Tips
Present yourself at your best (smile!).
Dress properly at all times (i.e. avoid flip flops).
Temporary work as crew is good experience (do not use the word: “dayworking”).
Be polite with everyone you meet (when trying to get attention from
someone onboard remember that this person might be the person in charge
of the hiring).
At an Interview (this also works
when you visit a crew agency!)
Be on time.
Take a copy of your curriculum vitae with you.
Dress correctly and smartly.
Be well groomed - have your hair neat and tidy - Clean shave for the
guys. Least jewellery and makeup, and little perfume only for the girls.
Do not chew gum.
Be polite
Very Important - this applies to
every aspect of your job search
In your CV photo, when you are walking the docks, when you go to an
interview, and even when you go for a drink with friends (as Captains
also frequent bars!) -
If you want to work in a professionally run
yacht with 5-star clientele, don't LOOK like you spend most of your time
on the beach and in the bars ! |
