Yacht jobs: my top advice

Breaking into the Superyacht industry can be tricky; if you are still looking, then be sure to check out my previous post on how to get into yachting. If you are on board, then the below advice is for you. Because yachting isn't just about getting your foot in the door, it is about keeping on the right track for success and building foundations for a successful career, no matter what role you are in or how long you plan to spend onboard.

While there may already be a lot of advice out there, I want to reflect upon my personal experience and share it with you for your new journey.

Instagram vs Reality

Although this may seem controversial coming from me, what you see on Below Deck is just a partial picture of yachting. The show is filmed 24 hours a day for weeks; they take a lot of footage and create an entertaining narrative for the audience; it isn’t ‘fake' or scripted, but there is a lot you don't see. Firstly, all yachts are different with a different crew, itineraries and guests, so it is hard to create a 'standard' for what a yachting job is - sure, there are certain things everyone does in particular roles, but there is a lot of fluidity. Yachting isn't all glamour and days off in unique places; there is some seriously hard work that involves long hours. Be prepared to be tested both physically and mentally. Unlike an office job you can’t take a walk during lunch to defuse tensions with a co-worker, and your hours “on the clock” aren’t always under your control.

Get a (good) reputation

While yachties are spread around the world the yachting industry is unbelievably small; news and gossip spread like wildfire, so ensure you are always on your best behavior. There is a delicate balance to strike within yachting between doing your job well and also enjoying yourself after hours while still being with the same colleagues and under a spotlight. As a new crew, it is important to create a good reputation that can set you up for a successful career. Add social media into the yachting small world mix, and it gets even trickier - make sure you reflect yourself well through your social profiles. While there may not be the strictest recruitment process for hiring when it comes to background checks etc - which needs to improve. Today all recruiters and Captains definitely check out social profiles before hiring, so be aware and create the impression you want online as well.

Adjust to boat life

As a new crew member onboard, it can be overwhelming adjusting to yachting life. Not only do you have to learn the social dynamics of your new team but also the practicalities - a floating house and workplace can come with all sorts of weird. My main advice here in adjusting is to make sure you still carve out some time for yourself and find something that grounds you to be who you are. Working and living with the same people can get a bit much, so go the extra mile with self-care - it will stop you from going insane, trust me.

Soak up the good bits

Dolphins on the bow? A fiery red sunset melting into the horizon? Using the stand-up paddleboard to explore the mangroves? The list is truly endless when it comes to the good bits of yachting. As new crew it is exciting to experience these unique moments; make sure you appreciate them fully. Bring a camera or a journal and make sure to record your journey if that interests you. There are also more and more yacht crew capitalizing on sharing their experiences on social media. If you’re someone who likes blogging, creating videos, or even making podcasts there is a big demand for content.

Make connections

As I have already mentioned, yachting is a small world, and it is important to make and keep connections throughout the industry. On a social level, it is a great industry to meet people from around the world, but also, on a professional level, that person you meet could be the one offering you an amazing new job in a year's time.

Don't be that crew member

Firstly, pack light! Don't be that new crew member that brings on bag after bag to the boat, a crew space on a yacht isn't huge so make sure you are practical with the number of belongings you bring to a new boat. It doesn't take long to figure out your other colleagues and the crew you are now living and working with, don't make enemies! Yachting is different from the office-based world; you can't email for something and then sign off and go back to your life.

Plan for the future

Although this advice may seem a bit presumptuous for someone who has just joined the industry, it is a good idea to have an exit strategy. Go into the industry with your eyes wide open; while it is an incredible job, it may not be forever, so think about what you may do when you get back to dry land. Learning how to leverage “yachting skills” and apply them to a land-based career is something many yachties struggle with. Keeping this in mind will set you up for success.

Be ready for future opportunities

If you are already onboard, then you nailed the CV - go you! But it is always a good idea to keep your CV updated and be open to any new opportunities that may come along. There is no such thing as the perfect boat; different boats are better as your career progresses.

Here are my top tips on what to include on a yachting CV:

Make sure it isn't longer than two pages long
It should go without saying, but be honest! They will find out eventually…
Use one font which is clear and easy to read

Personal information:

Check your socials are reputable
Add any international dialling codes for contact numbers and your email address
State if you have any tattoos here
Do you speak any languages?
What is your passport, and if you hold any visas
Where are you? Add in your up-to-date location
Can you start tomorrow? Add your current availability

Profile photo: Make sure it is professional, passport-sized and recent.
Personal profile: This section summarises why you are the best person for the job you are applying for. It should outline your strengths and career goals.
Qualifications: These should be relevant to yachting. Not many Captain's are interested in what grade you got in high-school Maths! Include your yachting qualifications here, including their dates for renewal. The two minimum you need is the STCW and ENG1.
Work and yachting experience: If you are applying for your first role in yachting, it goes without saying you won't have any 'yachting' experience however be sure to add any relevant experience such as previous hospitality roles. When you are starting out, if you have gained any daywork this is great start to put in alongside your other work experience. The further into your career you get, the less work experience you need to include and your experience can be purely yacht based, detailing what yachts you've worked in, in what capacity and your main responsibility onboard.
Hobbies & Interests:This section is perfect for the recruiter and Captain/HOD to get a picture of what type of personality you have and what you do in your spare time. Be sure to tell the truth here!
References with contact details: References should be included with their job title and contact details. They should ideally be included for the last two positions you held.

Yacht jobs: my top advice