8 ways to improve your chances of getting a job after just qualifying (2021)

8 ways to improve your chances of getting a job after just qualifying (2021)

The current state of affairs in the maritime industry is a bit difficult at the moment. COVID-19 pandemic has certainly not helped. Crew changes are still challenging. Trips onboard are becoming longer and longer. The hassle with PCR, Antigen tests and vaccination status does not make the situation any easier.

But on a positive side. The industry is starting to grow again. There are more new build ships coming out. New shipping companies are starting. Investments are slowly returning to the Energy sectors. With new build vessels, companies and investments mean more maritime jobs will be created.

For cadets in their final years there is the mounting pressure of final exams. Employment worries will start to feature in discussions.

There is a high number of positions available as junior officer but there is also a high number of junior deck officers and junior marine engineers applying for them as well. To have any chance of getting a job you need to stand out.

Let’s not forget there are lots of experienced officers out there searching for work as well.

How can you handle searching for jobs in a tough market without making mistakes?

Let’s start then

1. Stay positive
2. Structure your job search
3. Improve you to improve your chances
4. First impressions
5. Stay sharp
6. Set goals
7. Network
8. Have a back-up plan

Stay positive

Yep. I’ll be the first one to admit it is difficult to remain positive when you either;

• Never hear back from a company
• Or you do hear back and it is a rejection.

Yes, it will be highly demotivating, frustrating, annoying and a whole host of feelings. But stay positive as you will get a job.

It is important to remember that there are positions out there and a lot of competition. But there are positions.

Be positive when speaking to the recruiters or writing to them. The tone of your voice or email may help sway their decision. A positive tone is clearer and helps us get things done because phrasing is simpler and uses less words.

A negative tone tends to make the reader / listener feel annoyed or angry and damages your professional image.

Structure your job search

Make a plan. As the saying goes “an idiot with a plan is better than a genius without a plan”. Navigation officers use it when passage planning. Engineer officers have plans on how to repair machinery.

Plan your job search to make it more efficient. Inefficiency wastes time and effort. You have to consider that searching for a job can be a full-time job. A task list also helps you to remember what to do and any special emails that need to be sent.

You may find structuring your job search leaves you more free time to socialise with friends, take up a hobby, learn a new skill or volunteer

Some pointers on structuring a job search

• Set time aside per day to view job pages, LinkedIn, Facebook and websites
• Make time to respond to emails
• Make time to actively search for new recruiters and companies.

Improve you to improve your chances

With so many maritime professionals applying for positions there is a lot of competition. You need to stand out from the crowd. The recruiters receive hundreds of applications per jobs. As lot are binned straight away as they do not meet the requirements. But some of the applications do.

Imagine two applicants. Virtually everything is the same. Rank, experience, courses but one has an additional course or has an additional skill? Who would you pick? Obviously, the applicant with the extra skills or course.

Skills and courses also need to be relevant and useful to the employer but it shows you have more skills and talents than the other. You then become more useful.

One captain once said to me, “always invest in yourself”.

I took that to heart and ran with it. I always kept busy with a course or learning a skill. Now my skillset is broad and I am flexible and versatile to the employer / recruiter. Once I had become proficient or completed the course, I put then volunteered to develop my skills. Volunteering also had other benefits because it improved my network and gave the CV an extra boost.

Courses can be directly related to maritime or indirectly related to the marine industry.

An added benefit is by filling your time up with learning or volunteer work you can easily justify why you haven’t been working.

First impressions count

Whether you’re dealing with someone face to face, via the phone email, first impressions count. Body language accounts for a lot of how humans interact with each other. If you see some one smiling, open arms then obviously you will want to communicate with them.

But if you see the opposite, arms folded and frowning, either you’re not their favourite person or now is not a good time to talk.

Body language has surprising amount of influence on how we communicate and present ourselves.

Being unkempt and untidy as being suitable dressed and well presented has the same effect.

How we write emails or speak over the phone can have similar effects.

The same is also true for CVs and Cover letters.

A CV / Cover letter that is properly presented, clear and easy to read will have far more chances that a busy, difficult to read CV. Generally, CV’s have should be no more than two pages – imagine a double-sided printer. A third page may get left behind in the printer. A simple font with a suitable size for reading is perfect. Too small and the page is crammed and busy whilst being difficult to read. Too large and important information may be missed.

Gone are the days of black and white CV’s. More and more seafarers are adding a flair of colour and creativity to theirs. Colours should be minimal and neutral colours. I have a marine blue involved as it links nicely with the marine environment. I tested a plain black and white CV against a slightly colourful one. I had a greater response from the coloured CV.

There are plenty of CV templates available. Choose one that reflects you the best.

Quick tips on CV presentation

• Clear and concise
• Font type and sizing
• Professional colours

Cover letters are formal letters towards the company letting them know a) you’re applying and b) extra information why you want to apply, enhances your skills you are bringing, why you would be an asset.

Cover letters also help refine your connection to your potentially new employer. Firstly, Research the company, their values and goals. Then review the job description. Create a few sentences that weave together your skills and ambitions with the job description & company values and goals.

Proof reading is vital when it comes to cover letters and CV’s. A document that is difficult to read or littered with spelling mistakes will affect your first impressions and overall professional image. Taking the time to review it will improve your chances.

Quick tips for CV’s and Cover letters

• Have a similar format – font, type etc
• Proof read it.
• Cover letters – weave in how you meet their needs / long term plans.

If you need help with your CV, Cover letter or presentation skill contact us and see how we can help. I am a career coach that specialises in the maritime industry.

Stay sharp

As soon as college is finished don’t take that as the indication to burn all college books. Keep reviewing your notes on a regular basis. Keep reviewing industry journals and news websites for the latest information. Keep an eye on flag state and international rules and change to them.

If you have been unemployed for a long time your knowledge will get rusty. Employers may even quiz you on some aspects of the job. This small interview assessment is to make sure you still know what you are doing. By allowing the knowledge to slip from memory can cost you the job. Employers pay good money for you to ensure their ship is navigated and maintained safely.

Social media, email notifications and newsletter are easy ways to stay informed without viewing all the websites.

Staying sharp tips

• Keep up to date with rules, legislation and what is happening
• Follow the right pages on social media

Set goals

Set goals – both long term and short-term goals. Work out what you want from life, how you can achieve it and what you need to do to achieve it. Short term goals would be secure a job, gain XX course. Long term goals will take time to come to fruition.

Setting goals will keep you motivated as you have something to work towards.

Some individuals prefer to work at sea for a few years then come ashore. Others wish to make a life at sea and rise to the ranks of Captain or Chief Engineer, having their own command.

For those who wish to come ashore there are plenty of different options. Marine lawyer, cargo surveyor, marine flag state surveyor, brokerage & chartering, port manager or pilot. If you’re not sure what you want to do, make it a short-term goal to find out what you want! A

Perhaps you want to become a marine surveyor. Find out what experience and qualifications you need, how you can achieve them and what you need to do to become the best marine surveyor. This may entail further courses and exams, specific experiences on vessels.

Or you may wish to do further studies such as MBA in Shipping. Find out what prerequisites you need, how to achieve them and what the course requires from you.

What ever you want to do, set goals and work towards them.

To maximise the effectiveness of setting goals

– write them down

– keep the goals clearly visible

– have someone hold you accountable

– put a deadline on them

Networking

This is absolutely vital when it comes to securing employment in any industry. Humans are sociable and we rely on contact with others. We enjoy connecting and socialising with others. The same can be said for our professional life. Connecting and talking to people will foster relationships. These professional relationships can lead to employment or recommendations.

Why does networking help?

• Strengthens connections with people
• Get new ideas
• Raises your profile
• Leads to employment opportunities
• Leads to career progressions
• Gain knowledge
• Build confidence
• Improve people skills

Professional relationships can start on board ships or they can happen LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the social media outlet for professionals wishing to connect with others. A lot of jobs are also posted on LinkedIn.

A lot of jobs happen because they know some one and can recommend someone. Most of these jobs are never advertised. Cadets and junior officers should not only be hard working, reliable and dependable but also friendly towards senior officers. Being friendly toward HR can also help get things organised.

Being friendly and conversational to recruiters will help you rank higher in their opinion of you, and boost your chances of being put forward for a position. Building a great network is worth it but it will take time and require energy.

Quick tips on networking successfully

• Listen
• Ask useful questions
• Follow up
• Keep attending – forums, discussions or events.
• Be polite, courteous and interested in them
• Don’t go for the hard sell (you want a job, and now)

Have a back up

Sometimes things don’t go to plan. You struggle to get a position on board. Constant job rejections and set backs effect your motivation. Your finances begin to deplete and that only adds further worry and frustrations.

So, what can be done?

Having a back up plan could keep you motivated and keep your finances healthy. Options available are

• Take work going that is related to shipping
• Take work that is specific to your skills.
• Take any work going – shop work etc

The last option is a worst-case scenario or if there is not other work. Always keep employed in the maritime industry as it will strengthen your skills & knowledge and lead to networking possibilities.

The best option would be to take work that is related to shipping and the maritime industry. You can network and it will only improve your CV

But you need to be near a maritime business for that, flag state or coastguard. Or you need to relocate…

Taking a job that is similar to your skills will keep them sharp and focused. You can bring across useful transferrable skills. For a junior engineer this is easy, any experience repairing engines is best. For deck officers, this could be leading events, organising and planning would work the best. These are just some examples but everyone’s location will determine what employment options are available.

Take a job in a shop, delivery or other task would sting after all those hard years studying but you do need food on the table and a roof over your head. Employers may question why you went for shop work but creating a strong response during your interview should placate them.

Conclusion

Young maritime professionals should not become discouraged with the employment market. There are still jobs and people are still being hired.

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