How to Get a Job in Marine Industry

by Sam Smith

When you’re ready to work in the open sea, there is always the confidence that you’ll get a job right away. However, that confidence often goes away after several rounds of job hunting. If you are looking for your dream ship job and can’t seem to find it, then you need to make sure that your approach is the right one. Here's how you can get the job that you want:

Go to the Right Agencies

The first thing that you should do is to go to the right agency. A trustworthy manning agency in Makati and other major cities is easy to find. It can be intimidating, but it can be worth it. Some seafarers think that they can do that later when they have a more reliable reputation and track record. However, going with fly-by-night agencies and friendly recommendations is not the way toward a lucrative position. If you want a job that is worth the effort, then you will need to take a risk and work with some of the more prominent companies out there.

Get on Your Feet

When you’re looking for a job, you should be looking for it from morning to evening. Some sailors only do the bare minimum and wait for the call. It is technically not looking for a job when you upload a resume to an online job site or send it via e-mail. You want to get out there and present your resume in person to all your potential job agencies. The advantage of this is that your presence makes it more urgent, and it allows for an immediate interview and processing. Don’t wait at home for the call. Be proactive and be on the go.

Make Friends

This is what many sailors don’t do enough of when it comes to job seeking. Understandably, you view the others on the job market as competition. However, skipping the chance to network is a bad idea. Talk and get to know people who might be able to help you like senior seafarers and even old classmates. Even your instructors might be able to point a job in your direction. It takes little effort but can have substantial results.

Have a Complete and Presentable Resume

One of the things that sailors often ignore is their resume. When employers are looking for a mariner, the will look at and focus on the resume before they call them in for the interview. If it doesn’t look right, it is already a black mark against you. This is especially bad if you don’t have the experience to counterbalance it. This is why you need to present a good-looking resume with a cover letter. Do not copy a friend’s resume format and avoid making spelling mistakes. Plus, make sure that your grammar is correct.

Be Ready for the Interview

Your interview is the final gate. If you’ve been called in for one, prepare for it by looking presentable. You should also show off your best by being polite and knowledgeable in your field. Be punctual and have everything you need to present so that you can give a solid first impression. For the interview itself, answer as best and as honestly as you can.

The maritime job market can be very competitive. It can be discouraging at times to keep on looking for a job, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. The tips above should help greatly in making that light closer.