CV information for crew

DRESS CODE – It might be on zoom, but this is an interview, dress accordingly. Hair tied back, no nail polish, no flip flops, no bikinis, no piercings, no iPod, no hoodies, no skateboards etc. Boys should be clean shaven, hair short. This is a multi-million dollar industry that you are seeking a position in. Turn off your phone for all interviews, especially this one.

DAYWORK: If you have no yachting experience, you will need to find daywork and add this to your CV. In some instances you will be able to ask the boat for their contact information reference(they will not write a reference for daywork, it should NOT be expected), if you have done three days plus. Have your daywork clothes in your bag when you are walking the docks – but dress SMARTLY, you will find you have a more positive response. Girls, DO NOT WEAR polo tops/t shirts and shorts – you would not interview or work in a 5* hotel in a polo and shorts, so don’t do it here, we are beyond 5*. Casual clothes are fine for dayworking, but too low key for dock-walking or interviewing. If you look as if you are ready for an interview, you are more likely to get one. If you get daywork, turn off your phone and put it away in your bag. You are there to work. References that you earn from your daywork can make or break you finding permanent position, take it seriously. Do not be late, work hard, show you are dynamic and self-motivated. As an industry, we will notice everything about you. Do NOT think it is OK to take photographs/videos of the yacht you are dayworking on. IT IS NOT. It has been a sackable offence for crew to do so, not a good first impression for someone who wants to be considered as a serious candidate.

CVs: We have a certain layout/content for your yachting CV. If we have asked for changes to be made to your CV, please make those changes before you come in to introduce yourself. CV should be in WORD and in ENGLISH. If we have to send you the information 3 times, and you still haven’t made an effort to make the necessary changes, we will no longer continue your registration.

*English is the first language of the yachting industry and unless spoken fluently, you are unlikely to find work. Additional fluent languages are always a plus.

*The average entry age to yachting is early 20s to late 20s. There are exceptions for various positions, but be aware that for junior positions, a vessel will usually ask for someone junior in age.

*If you have no relevant experience for the position you are seeking, you will find it very difficult to find work. Yachting is an aggressively competitive industry and we have high expectations.*

If you are new to the industry, and you are part of a couple, do not expect to find work on the same boat for your first season. Many boats will not take couples, and you need to learn the ropes as an individual first, although you may be lucky. Do not dock walk together.

*IF you have need of a visa to come to Europe while searching for a position Recrewt LTD will not be able to assist you. Make sure you know what to do in case your visa expires and you need to renew it. Once you are employed onboard, your employer will assist you with any visa requirements you have.

*IF you are arriving before May, we are in WINTER. The month of May can still be cold and wet. Bring with you waterproof jacket, warm sweaters and umbrellas!!!!! You will freeze. I suggest bringing high factor suncream, mosquito repellant and an anti-seasick medication(many of you have no time at sea and do not know if you get seasick yet) – The British crew can buy a product called Stugeron – it doesn’t make you sleepy. Do not bring a hard suitcase, your bag will need to be stowed and a soft holdall is preferred. Do not bring your entire wardrobe, you will have a small locker and a drawer for your belongings.

*Bring with you suitable clothing for an interview. We are a formal industry, and board shorts and vests will not impress here – you are not on holiday, you are here to seek work in the yachting industry.

*Always behave with decorum. You will be seen falling out of bars drunk, and you will be overheard swearing and cursing in the street. Do not do it. It will not get you a job here. Networking is dock-walking and day-working, not socializing in bars until early hours of the morning. By all means do that, but do not register with me.

*The summer/Mediterranean season is the better season to ‘break into’ the yachting industry, as there are more positions available to junior crew. End of summer there will be a smaller turnaround of crew, therefore fewer jobs. The crew who have just completed a Med season are likely to be considered for those jobs first, as they have some experience under the belt and a reference to show for it.

*You also need to be in the Mediterranean at some point in the season, as no one will be able to wait for a newbie crew member to travel for interview, and certainly won’t consider telephone interviews with a ‘new face’ to yachting. Nor will they ‘fly you in’. They like to meet face to face, and hopefully, take you with them to the boat. The season starts approximately in March, however, the seasons 2023 and 2024 started late. Generally, the sooner you can be available and local, the better for you.

For the crew who have a limitation on how many days they can spend in Europe, do not arrive too early. Your 90 day allowance starts counting down the minute you land. If you decide to party for the first 8 weeks, you are unlikely to find a job. Dock-walking is 7 days a week – we do not have weekends in yachting. Be smart. If you can spot the newbies by what they are wearing, be sure that yacht crew also see that.

*Covid is on the wane – most boats no longer ask for vaccines, but there are exceptions.

* If you are lucky enough to find a job – first thing to ask the boat is to help you get your Seamans Discharge Book. It helps with visa applications and travel. The deck candidates, download the Deck/Yacht Rating work book and start learning. It’s a ready made qualification that nearly ALL big boats will ask for.