Get a Cruise Job Before Winter

Cruise Job Tips | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Oct 27 2010

 

Aaah….hot, sunny days and white, sandy beaches.  What could be more motivating to get a cruise job, than getting away from cold, dreary, snowy winters?  As the leaves turn colours and summer is a distant memory for the northern hemisphere, we know what is around the corner.

Is there any way to secure a position on board before the snow flies? 

One myth is that there are more jobs onboard over the holiday periods.  This is untrue. Most cruise ships sail at full capacity throughout the year, not just the holiday periods.  An exception to this is that all family cruise lines hire tons of youth counsellors because of the amount of kids onboard.

This equates to a perfect opportunity to get your foot in the door for this type of cruise job for a possible full time year round position when it comes available.

Some other vacancies to keep in mind are related to the launching of new cruise ships.

In December 2010 Royal Caribbean will debut the Allure of the Seas, requiring 1,650 crew members. New ships for 2011 will require a further 7,000 cruise jobs.

For those just starting their search and for those that have been pursuing a job on a ship for some time now, keep in mind that there are ALWAYS positions available. 

Landing your dream job takes more than a great resume and cover letter it also takes perseverance. Once you apply, keep following up…these are the candidates that get the job!! Now’s the time, before the snow flies.

Are You Over Qualified for Cruise Line Employment?

Cruise Job Tips | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Oct 18 2010

Is it possible to be over qualified for cruise line employment? Should you tone down your experience in order to just get hired? What are employers thinking when they read your experience-packed resume?

We were asked this question recently, “Is it possible that I am over qualified and they (the cruise lines) simply skip me over?” This person explains, “I have been applying for various jobs for nearly a year now without one interview.”

For starters, cruise applicants should first ask themselves a couple of questions before getting discouraged. Have you been consistently following up on your application? Have you been sending your resume to specific hiring managers? If the answer is yes, then it’s time to relook at your resume and cover letter again.

Cruise applicants need to understand that if their work experience and education go beyond what are required, it may be concerns for a potential employer. Similar to age discrimination, being over qualified may be interpreted that you may not fit in the current position.

One of our latest articles, Are You Over Qualified for a Cruise Job LINK TO=> http://www.workoncruiseships.com/members/Are_You_Over_Qualified_for_a_Cruise_Job.cfm, explains what employers may be thinking about you and your resume as well as how to confront the issue of having more qualifications than required.

Another Cruise Hiring Scam

Cruise Job Tips | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Oct 06 2010

Another cruise ship recruitment scam was brought to our attention this past month.  The Seatrade Insider, a cruise industry news website reported on September 23, 2010 that a UK-based “business” has been advertising cruise jobs on a number of online job sites.

Representing themselves as “The London flagship of the Seabourn Yacht Group”, the company has led many job-seekers to believe they were applying to Seabourn Yacht Club.  Online job sites ask applicants to email their resume to names such as Captain Clark Fox or Captain Wilson Scott. After a cruise job is offered to the applicant, the applicant is asked to send money for a visa or for a recruiting fee.

It’s a rip off, warns Gary Ellis, VP Marine and Technical Operations for Seabourn.  We will never ask for money in advance, Ellis told Seatrade Insider.

Many cruise ship applicants have become victims of cruise ship recruitment scams.  Unknowingly, these job seekers respond to newspaper ads and online cruise ship job postings while scam artists promise jobs in return for payment.

Just remember, if it seems too good to be true then it probably is!

So, how do you spot a cruise ship recruitment scam and how do you know which cruise hiring agencies are legitimate? As a rule of thumb, real cruise lines and legitimate cruise agencies do not charge fees.

Using Cruise Industry News When Applying for Vacancies

Cruise Job Tips | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Oct 05 2010

Applicants looking to get an edge above the competition need to have a cover letter that stands out when applying for cruise ship vacancies. One way of doing that is to talk about the cruise line you are applying to within the body of the cover letter. So, what should you say?

Having knowledge about something that is new or innovative for the cruise line and relating it to a cruise job shows that you have specific interest in that company. One of the best ways is to mention the cruise line’s upcoming fleet launches.

For example, applicants sending cover letters to Disney Cruise Line should devote a sentence to the launch of the Disney Dream due out in January 2011. Correlate this with filling the company’s needs of additional youth counsellors.

For further information about the new ships due out for 2011, read {New Cruise Ships and Cruise Job Opportunities for 2011} LINK TO => http://www.workoncruiseships.com/members/New_Cruise_Ships_Cruise_Job_Opportunities_for_2011.cfm.

Another example of cruise industry news can give applicants an advantage about newly created jobs. When the Norwegian Epic was launched this past summer, the job of Recreation Staff was posted on WorkOnCruiseShips.com’s latest vacancies.

Also in April 2010, Celebrity Cruises presented their iLounge with the launch of the Celebrity Eclipse.  The iLounge is a new kind of internet cafe that offers computer classes and opportunities to purchase Apple products. They are still actively recruiting iLounge Managers since they will be launching the Celebrity Silhouette in 2011. Details for applying are in our latest cruise ship vacancies section.

Why you need a cover letter for cruise line employment

Cruise Job Tips, Cruise Jobs Resumes and Cover Letters | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Sep 21 2010

The cover letter is one of the first impressions you can make to a potential employer when applying for cruise line employment. By not sending a cover letter you are sending a message of laziness, not a good first impression! The cover letter is important as it helps hiring managers connect the dots by putting your resume into context and adding focus.

Your cover letter should be more than just an introduction to your resume. The cover letter should be used as a clever marketing tool that sells your resume. Don’t let the hiring manager work to find the most important information about you. Draw attention to your key accomplishments and qualification that set you apart from other applicants for this particular cruise job.

Furthermore, while your resume talks about you, the cover letter should talk about your intended employer.  How can the cruise line benefit from the assets you have to offer? That is also why you should never mass produce your cover letter. Does the cover letter make the person reading it feel special? Do you refer to specific employer information and address the hiring manager by name?

So what about an online application? Do you still need to send a cover letter? Absolutely!  Even if you fill out an application online, sending a personalized cover letter and resume as well will set you apart from other cruise applicants. Rather than your application being scanned into a database, a well written cover letter will excite the hiring manager to read your resume.

The cover letter can explain why you are the best person for cruise line employment in a way that the resume can’t.  Ask yourself…does your cover letter motivate the hiring manager to take action and call you for an interview?

Creative Online Resumes That Get Cruise Jobs

Cruise Job Tips, Cruise Jobs Resumes and Cover Letters | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Sep 12 2010

The role of the resume and cover letter are to get you an interview, but how can you make your resume stand out among the hoards of other applicants? What innovative ways can you present your skills and experience? A recent article posted on www.WorkOnCruiseShips.com explains the effectiveness of an online cruise resume. First of all, you might be asking, what is an online resume? An online resume is one that you post on websites like LinkedIn, Facebook or your own personal website or blog. Online resumes work well in referring an employer who might want to see more than what is usually found in a resume. Keep in mind that your resume presents the image you want employers to see. Having a positive online presence can give an applicant an edge whereas a negative online presence can sabotage your chances. When a potential employer Googles your name, what will they find? Will they find photos of you partying on your Facebook page? Remember that inappropriate photos or content will let employers know that you lack judgement or maturity. Cruise applicants can increase their positive online presence with relevant links to your work. For example someone wanting to get hired as a ship’s photographer can use sites like Flickr to display their work. Alternatively, those looking to get hired as a Port and Shopping Guide or Cruise Consultant can make a short video on YouTube that showcases their public speaking skills. The online resume does not replace the traditional method of applying for a cruise job. You still need to apply for each cruise job with a cover letter and resume sent to a specific hiring manager. The Online resumes should be in addition to the resume that you physically emailed/mailed to a specific hiring manager.

Photo on a Cruise Ship Resume?

Cruise Job Tips, Cruise Jobs Resumes and Cover Letters | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Sep 08 2010
A picture is worth 1,000 words, but do those words work in your favour when it comes to attaching a photo on your cruise ship resume?

Many North American recruiters of land-based jobs advise against attaching a photo.  They suggest that the inclusion of a photo can actually work against the applicant, leading to discrimination.  On the other hand, the inclusion of a resume photo has been customary in Europe for years.

So what should a cruise applicant do, include or not include?

Although many of the cruise lines have their head offices based in the USA, the practice of including a photo with your resume is actually encouraged.  In particular, cruise jobs such as cruise staff, youth staff and other entertainment positions need to include a photo as specified by the online applications of the major cruise lines.

Cruise applicants shouldn't lose focus though and remember that their resume should be marketing their skills and experience.  The picture is just giving you an extra edge in an ultra-competitive industry.

Your photo must be a professional representation of yourself, humanising your resume. Employers aren't critiquing your looks, rather they want to see a confident smile. Clothing must also be appropriate, something you would wear to an interview. An alternate photo would be one that shows you "in action" at work.

How Flexible Does a Cruise Employee Need To Be?

Cruise Job Tips | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Aug 24 2010
When applying for a cruise job, potential employers will try to evaluate how flexible of an employee you will be. They want crew members that can adapt to change, think on their feet and solve problems quickly. How, as a cruise applicant, can you portray yourself with those qualities? 

In cruise ship life, crew members need to be flexible about their schedule and rotations.  You may not get put on the ship or itinerary that they originally scheduled you for.  The date you start or finish your contract is hardly ever the same from what was originally discussed.

Onboard, crew members need to be flexible with their work hours and their job description. Schedules are ever-changing based on passenger demand, itinerary changes, weather and many other factors.  How will you cope and will you react positively?

The cruise line hiring managers are scouring your resume for clues. Instead of making it difficult for them to figure out how flexible you are � tell them. By using accomplishments rather than just describing how flexible you are, you excite the hiring manager to contact you for an interview to find out more.  

Here are a few phrases that show your "flexible" accomplishments.

"Implemented and trained five employees on new office phone systems"
"Relocated to new xxCity to take advantage of promotion to Sous Chef"
"Planned and organized a 150-guest reception, where the customer's budget changed and therefore many elements of the party needed to change, too" 

Once you get to the interview process, you can shine by expanding on your flexibility as a potential crew member.

Communication Skills for Cruise Ship Careers

Cruise Job Tips | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Aug 09 2010
It's not enough to say you have good communication skills if you're looking for careers on cruise ships.  Cruise applicants for all positions can benefit from knowing what it means to be a good communicator.

The cruise industry, like many land-based industries want employees that will be a positive voice for their company.  How well will you represent the cruise line when faced with an unhappy passenger? How well will you communicate with other employees and managers?

Many job applicants write on their resume, "good communication skills".  The bottom line is that cruise line employers want to know how you will interact with their passengers and crew members. 

You need to be able to answer questions concisely, accurately and quickly.  You will need to find common ground with a disgruntled passenger or crew member.  And, you need to be able to establish a rapport with all passengers and crew in order to be able to diffuse difficult situations. Staying calm and professional under pressure requires an applicant with patience.

Consider that a cruise ship embarks new passengers at the end of every cruise.  Will you be able to make a positive impression through your communication skills on the job?  Listening skills are an important part of the communication process. Good listeners make good communicators.

Behind the scenes, understand that each department will experience a turnover in crew each cruise. Crew members come from all over the world representing different cultures.  How adaptable are you to communicating with people that may not have the same first language as you? Of course, having a second language is also bonus.

Being able to have your resume and cover letter stand apart from other applicants is the key to landing an interview and a cruise ship career.  Being able to verbalize how well you communicate goes a whole lot further than just saying you are a good communicator. Even your emails during the application process will highlight your communication skills.

Do you need experience to get a cruise ship job?

Cruise Job Tips | Posted by Renee Ruggero
Aug 02 2010

Earlier this week one of our members reported that she was hired by MTN for the position of Internet Cafe Manager on a cruise ship and starts her training in Florida next week.

She writes on the forum,

“For anyone out there still frustrated with how long the cruise ship job application process takes, trust me. Keep fighting ’cause it’s worth it. I first applied for this job at the beginning of April, and didn’t hear anything from them until about 6 weeks ago. Then I sent several emails before I managed to get the first interview, which was 2 weeks ago.”

Lori explains…

“I kept applying, even sent a thank you note after my first interview. It all worked.”

She further points out…

“I’m proof that you can get the job without any ship experience (or any job related experience in my case…), and based almost solely on my personality. You can do it, it takes a lot of time and patience though, so just don’t give up!”

On June 17th she received an email from MTN with a pre-interview questionnaire…and the rest is history.

She’s expecting to join the Carnival Elation cruising from Mobile, Alabama on a Western Caribbean itinerary shortly!