Get it right then apply!
Make sure your CV and Cover letter is optimised. Think how your previous maritime and life experiences can help sway a recruiter to say yes to you. Include your courses and experience but don’t waffle. Start applying for positions either through targeted ads or speculatively. Keep a list of companies you have contacted and follow them up.
Reach out to your existing network.
The world is much more connected now than it was 10 years ago. Make the most of it. Contact your existing network and ask if their company is hiring. Companies often have reward schemes for referring crew members so it’s a win-win for both of you.
If not they may be able to give you insider information when a position is becoming available.
Social media = work media
LinkedIn must be my favourite way of job hunting. The recruiters are there, they post a job, it comes up in your feed and hopefully you can react in time.
Make sure your LinkedIn is up to date, a decent clear photo of you. LinkedIn is a great jobs notification board if you know how to use it properly. Or it can flood you with useless information. Optimise your LinkedIn carefully following what you need to follow, and unfollow what you don’t.
Make sure your profile is open to work and enable it so recruiters can see you.
Where possible, interact with news posts or topics. Why? You will get noticed and it may lead to a position.
Facebook pages are a good source like LinkedIn. Again, being selective is good otherwise your news feed becomes inundated with mindless content.
The one big danger with social media is the distraction level. Set time aside and focus on job hunting. If something interesting pops up simply deal with it later.
I once spoke to a recruiter who told me that if they post a job online, they will fill it in 4 hours or less. That is some serious competition. That’s why it pays to have a really good strategy.
Back to the Past.
Go back to your previous employer. Their situation may have changed. Always ask the question, what is the worst that can happen? They say no.
But what if they say yes?
You will never know until you try. Further, it is easier to get work with your previous employer than any one else because they know you and more likely to give you a chance as you know their vessels, operating procedures and equipment.