'I keep applying for yacht jobs but never hearing back.. is it me?' Today I go through the top reasons why you may not be hearing back as hoped!

“I apply for so many positions but never hear back - is it me?”

This is one of the questions I am asked most often by Stews, so I thought I’d share with you a few potential reasons why you may not have heard back. Don’t give up hope!

Firstly -We are in the middle of global pandemic! So of course, the industry is affected…this should be pretty obvious, so I’ll move on to the possible other reasons… ??

Don’t have the right experience/visas just yet?

It’s the famous catch 22 of yachting! ‘Must have experience’ - but how to get it? You may see a job post asking for a certain amount of yachting experience which you don’t have, perhaps a season or 3 years plus, but you apply anyway because you think you have the right background…. But as do many other candidates. Applications for positions can run into the hundreds -this can overwhelm the crew agent or chief stew meaning only candidates who fit the criteria will hear back. If this is the case and you do apply without the experience, make sure you point this out in your opening personal statement or short cover letter. It shows you have read the post requirements properly and thought carefully about why you would make a good fit. With hundreds of applicants for a job and time being essential, you don’t want to give the impression you haven’t paid attention to the requirements or thought about your own skills. And don’t be disheartened if you don’t hear back, you were just taking a chance anyway.

Is it the busy season?

This is probably the main reason behind getting no response to an application. During the busy seasons, the volume of both jobs and candidates looking for work can be overwhelming. There are also yachts crossing or coming out of winterage, guest usage and quick turn arounds. There may simply not be time to reply to everyone who has applied for the position unless they are shortlisted for interview. As much as every yacht and agent would love to be able to do this, it isn’t always possible given that some jobs can attract hundreds of applicants. Don’t take it personally!

Is your CV clear and easy to read, and saved in PDF or Word?

Yachting can be an incredibly fast-paced industry. Your CV can potentially have seconds to catch someone’s attention, so it is important to understand what is actually meant by ‘eye-catching’. What makes a CV stand out is a well written and clearly presented layout that the eye can scan over quickly for an initial skills check, before a more detailed read. Big blocks of dark colour, unreadable quirky fonts, small text or additional logos or icons can be distracting and cause strain on the reader’s eyes - I read over 200 CVs a day, so I know how tiring it can be! Don’t save your CV as a JPEG, as this does not look professional. It is best to save in PDF, so that the formatting stays the same when opened on any device. Don’t forget - agents will always give you feedback on your CV and your CV photo for free, and don’t forget to listen to the advice we give.

Are you applying the right way?

Check how you are applying for the jobs. Are you following the application process as asked? Does the post ask you to email, or check in online, perhaps call or direct/private message? Make sure you follow the instructions so your CV ends up in the correct place and hands. Don’t forget to include any requested documents and a nice personalised introduction stating who you are and why you are a good candidate. It’s tempting to copy and paste a prewritten text, but my tip is to make the cover letter bespoke for that position - read the job post and highlight what skills you have that match. 4 -5 lines is perfect! Don’t make it too long, as a big block of text may just be ignored given the pace of the industry.

Is it just the same job?

Strange but true. You could be repeatedly applying for the SAME job, as it has been advertised in several different places with different ways of applying. You may well have heard back about this one already and just not have realised!

My final words for all my aspiring Green Stews out there..

There is an ongoing myth that no one wants green crew, and this is WRONG. All of my Chief Stews love giving opportunities to Green Stews. They remember being in your position themselves and actually want to mentor you. The only issue can be that, especially during the season, they have guests on and don’t have time to train you just yet. They need someone who can jump straight in and know all the HK products and procedures, laundry machines and ironing, napkins folds etc. However, one day they will have the time and would love to help you get your career started, so keep going ??