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5 Things Cruise Recruiters Look For In Candidates

Carlos Perez, Cruise Recruitment Manager, during his time working onboard a yacht. Stood on the deck balcony in front of water park.

Continuing our series of top things recruiters look for in candidates, we asked Cruise Recruitment Manager, Carlos Perez, what he looks for in each applicant.

Carlos’s 17 years of experience in the cruise industry, working on board in various departments, allow him to offer the perspectives of a candidate and a recruiter.

Discover how you can improve your CV with Carlos’ advice in our latest article.

1. Discipline

When working on board a cruise ship, following the company’s rules, regulations and guidelines ensures passengers receive the best service possible. Being aware of and prepared to follow uniform requirements, etiquette, and professionalism required by the cruise company will make you a stand-out applicant and crew member.

Given the nature of rotational working, crew members typically work seven days a week. This is something to be aware of when applying for jobs at sea and is something you should be prepared for.

However, this doesn’t mean working onboard a cruise ship isn’t fun. Crew members still get to travel the world and see sights beyond most job roles.

2. Challenges and Adaptability

Life on board a cruise means constant change; new locations, new crew mates, and new passengers. Being adaptable and able to cope with change is essential as life on board is so vastly different from life on land.

Carlos Perez in uniform onboard

3. Communication and being sociable

Being sociable is indispensable. Whilst on board you will meet and work alongside people of all nationalities, languages, religions, and cultures. It is important to keep an open mind and spend time learning about your crew mates. Ships thrive on the collaboration of their crew so getting to know your team personally and professionally will make for a better working environment.

4. Passion

An ideal candidate must have a passion for travel, discovery, and exploration. During the interview stage specifically, it becomes clear which candidates have the passion to succeed on-board. Our cruise clients look for crew that are determined and excited to start their career at sea.

Carlos Perez on board Windstar Cruises

Having a passion for what you do will have a direct and positive impact on your passengers, fellow crew, and the cruise line itself and is what will make you a favourable candidate.

5. Ambition

Working on board a cruise ship gives crew the privilege to see new places, meet new people, and try new things. Demonstrating your ambition in an interview and your application is ideal.

Having a drive for growth and a goal to make a difference within the company you are joining will make you a standout candidate.  Cruise lines and employers are looking for individuals who want to grow and develop both professionally and personally.

Why these qualities?

The qualities of an ideal candidate are subjective to the recruiter. However, these are, in my opinion, the strongest, stand out qualities for a cruise candidate. It is important to remember that recruiters receive many applications and host a lot of interviews. Don’t feel discouraged if you do not succeed on your first attempt.

How can a candidate stand out from the others?

Proactivity is essential during both the application process and your time on board. To stand out from others, you must be the first person to raise your hand, answer the question, think outside the box and to look for the solution rather than the problem.

A great way to display proactivity is to ask for feedback upon the receipt of an unsuccessful application. Using this feedback can give you an advantage for the next position you apply for.

Don’t be afraid to call the recruiter and ask if there is more information you can provide for your application.

Aside from that, letting your personality shine through is the best way to stand out. Every candidate is different and displaying your individuality throughout the process will separate you from all other applications.

What is the best way for a candidate to prepare before applying?

Do your research. With today’s technology, finding out about the role you are applying for, the cruise line and even the recruitment company has never been easier.

Learn about what you are applying for and what the company values are. A recruiter loves to see a candidate that has clearly researched before their application and interview.

Your presence in an interview is very reflective of how you will perform in a job role. Being punctual to the interview, appropriately dressed, and positive makes all the difference. Consider practicing the interview before attending and preparing for questions that may be asked.

Cruise Job Vacancies

Our cruise jobs at Viking Crew are in high demand, so keeping track of vacancies is an essential part of your job hunt. Use our Job Search page to see all our current vacancies and sign up to our newsletter to keep informed with our industry updates.

We hope you are able to use Carlos’ expert advice to improve your cruise job applications and wish you every success with your applications!

5 Key Things Yacht Recruiters Look for in Candidates

Whether you’re new to the maritime industry or are deciding to apply for a new role, it’s fundamental that you’re well prepared and know what the recruiter is expecting of you.  

We asked our Yacht Recruitment Manager, Rebecca Adams, for five key things she looks for in candidates when applying for roles that help them stand out from others and secure their next dream role on board.  

Having worked in maritime recruitment for more than 18 years, Rebecca’s experience solidifies her as an expert when it comes to hiring the correct candidates, and following her advice will certainly lead to better chances of acing your application.  

image of yachts lined up in a marine

1. Confidence in interviews 

Being confident in the industry is a must. Someone who can speak comfortably and confidently to the recruiter will demonstrate a desire for the position. You need to be able to hold conversations with new crew members, your head of department, and your Captain. You may even be working directly with owners and guests and must be able to always show confidence and professionalism.  

2. Enthusiasm  

In such a competitive industry, if you see a position you’d like to apply for, demonstrate your interest by calling the recruiter. Explain why you are the right person for the job and highlight the skills and experience you want to elaborate on. This is also your opportunity to ask further questions and learn more about the role, so we can ensure it’s a good match for you.  This also shows the recruiter that you are interested and have read about the position for which you are applying.  

3. Honesty 

The industry can be surprisingly small. Where reputations and trust are everything, honesty is always the best policy. It won’t take long to determine if someone is stretching the truth on their CV or omitting key details of their past experiences. 

4. Realistic expectations 

Being such a competitive industry, your job expectations must be in line with your experience. For example, a third officer wouldn’t be able to apply for a Captain’s position or a stewardess for an engineer without the correct qualifications and experience.

5. Respect

How you treat your recruiter matters.  It can be frustrating whilst job hunting, and recruiters are there to support you in your search, so be sure to treat them with respect. Working in yachting is a high-pressure, close-knit environment, and how you communicate gives us a good insight into your attitude and professionalism towards your fellow crew members.  

What is the best way to prepare before an application? 

Before applying for a role, ensure that your documents and certification match the criteria outlined in the job advertisement. We advertise the hiring criteria as per the client’s requests or as outlined in the minimum manning document.  

For example, if we have requested that a B1/B2 visa is in hand, it will be because there is no time to apply for one prior to the position starting, and it is essential to the vessel location.  

Or when we are advertising a specific licence, this will be due to the regulations set in the Minimum Safe Manning Document. Therefore, if you are only working towards it, this will not be enough; it needs to be in hand.  

If you are in need of maritime qualifications or refreshers, the Maritime Skills Academy have a wide range of courses on offer. Browse them here.

How to create a CV for the yachting industry? 

Tailor your CV to the position you are applying for, tweaking and elaborating on different aspects where necessary to match the role and job description. Cover letters can also be helpful.  

Attention to detail-make sure that the CV is well presented, spell checked, and contact details are all correct, including references. If you are looking for advice on creating a CV for the yachting industry, read our guide here! 

white luxury superyacht in the ocean

Including a professional photograph is a great way for recruiters to see you are a genuine applicant. However, it is important that this photograph is both professional and recent.  

If, for example, you are using an image that is five years old, and you have had face or neck tattoos in the meantime, then you could be disappointed when you reach the interview stage. 

Yachts can be specific about certain appearance aspects such as tattoos and piercings, so it is essential that these are both visible in your photograph and disclosed in your CV. 

Yacht Job Vacancies

Although the yachting industry is highly competitive, it is also fast paced. Job opportunities come and go quickly so keeping track of the current vacancies will give you the best chance of success. If you would like to keep track of our current listings, visit our job search page.    

We hope that putting Rebecca’s tips into practice will give you the best chance of success and wish you the best of luck with your applications!  

CrewPass: What Today’s Crew Should Be Looking For

Viking Crew works closely with maritime partner CrewPass to help ensure a safer environment for superyacht crew members, vessels, and agencies worldwide.

CrewPass provides a series of background checks to verify the identity of crew members, giving employers confidence in hiring fully vetted staff.

The team at CrewPass has shared a blog with us highlighting the importance of choosing the right recruitment agency and what candidates should be looking out for when deciding on their next role at sea.

CrewPass: What Today’s Crew Should Be Looking For

Viking Crew is one of the leading recruitment agencies, training schools and management companies for cruise ships, commercial vessels and superyachts. It’s one of the longest standing agencies within the superyachting industry & is one of the most respected.

So, why does it matter which recruitment company to go for?

Some recruiters have both a better client base and hold higher ethics than other recruiters.. The recruiters that have been around for years, like the team at Viking Crew have deep rooted connections with Captains and crew, as well as yacht management companies, and owners. Their trusted reputation gives them a larger client base because they’re just known as being one of the good ones. They’ve already established themselves deeply within the superyachting industry, as well as the other industries they serve & they’re a household name within yachting.

Female Captain checking references for crew | CrewPass

What I mean when I say ethics is that Viking Crew aren’t one of those recruitment companies that throws any old CV at every job they get through. They’re more like that friend who stops you from texting your ex at 3 AM – they know it’s not going to end well. They’re meticulous, they’re thoughtful and they’re realistic. If they say that a job you’ve seen posted that you think is ‘perfect for you’, is perhaps not right for you, then it’s because they know their stuff. They know what you’re looking for, and they know what the position holds, and they wouldn’t put you forward for something that wouldn’t meet your expectations and also that wouldn’t bring you joy.

Something to keep in mind when you do see that job posting, and you’re so sure it’s the most ideal job for you: Recruiters know the background stuff. They sometimes have additional requirements which they can’t disclose and they also know the boat and the environment, and you should trust them when they say it’s actually not the one for you.

Yacht Crew serving drinks to guests on board | CrewPass

Think of your recruiter as your personal Dumbledore (minus the impressive beard, usually). They’re guiding you through your career horcruxes while strategically revealing information that won’t send you running straight into the arms of the wrong boat. They can see the whole magical map while you’re just trying to figure out which end of the wand to hold.

Author: CrewPass

CrewPass is the leading platform for conducting thorough criminal background checks for yacht crew, ensuring a safer and more transparent industry for vessels, crew, and agencies worldwide. In an industry where trust is paramount, verifying the integrity and professionalism of crew members is critical to safeguarding both individuals and assets. When applying for jobs, you can directly link your CrewPass profile.

We recently wrote an article about the top 10 friendliest faces in recruitment, and it’s no surprise that Rebecca from Viking Crew  was up there as one of the CrewPass verified tick of approval recruiters.

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