A YACHTING RESUME / CURRICULUM VITAE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION! PRESENTATION IS KEY.

Your CV should be laid out clearly, be easy to read and contain no more than two pages of concise, grammatically correct text. Hard copies are seldom required and you should expect to issue your CV in Microsoft Word Format together with a covering letter, references (and a menu for chefs).

INCLUDE

PHOTO

A smart portrait photo with a nice smile.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Your full name, address, nationality, date of birth, passport and visa details, languages spoken.

CONTACT INFORMATION

You should put a permanent email account and a contact number that is always in use. Remember we may not have any suitable positions for you now but we always keep your details on file, so think ahead.

PERSONAL PROFILE

When an employer has a lot of CVs on their desk this section can serve to grab their attention from the beginning. A few lines about your goals, personality and worthy attributes can help to make the best possible first impression.

QUALIFICATIONS

Include all yacht and hospitality related qualifications, licences and courses, for example STCW95, Yacht Master, first aid, power boat courses, diving certification, wine or cooking courses together with the dates that these were issued or completed.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

This should be clearly set out in chronological order with the most recent at the top. Start with dates of employment followed by a brief description. For yachting experience include your position, duties and responsibilities on board, the length and build of the yacht, the areas you cruised, and finally your reason for leaving. The name and contact information of the captain or yacht’s owner to act as referee can be placed in the references section of your CV. For non-yachting experiences emphasize only the duties relevant to the position you are seeking e.g. for exterior maintenance; mechanical, electrical, carpentry, detailing, or interior maintenance; cleaning, laundry, kitchen/galley, and service experience.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Below your list of professional experiences it may be appropriate to have a small section on personal interests and achievements; perhaps what you like doing in your time off to show you’re a well-rounded person and to demonstrate another dimension of your personality. Living and working on board a yacht means you’ll be part of a close-knit team so this is an opportunity to make a case for why you’ll make a good crewmember.

REFERENCES

This final section is very important and should list the name and contact details of at least two professional referees and one character referee who can be contacted for a verbal reference. If your CV has made a good impression these are usually the next point of contact so make sure they are prepared for contact to be made.

Make sure you do a thorough spell and grammar check of your CV and give it to a couple of friends and colleagues to read before sending out the final draft.

Any written references can be included with your CV.

Chefs should provide a sample menu.

Remember to keep it clear, well laid out and easy to read!

COUPLES CVS

Some couples opt for one CV for both of them rather than two separate CVs. This can work very well for couples who have been working together on previous yachts. It avoids repetition as both parties can put their employment history under one heading for each yacht.

For couples that have spent more time working separately, it is better to provide separate CVs making the details less complicated and easier to read. Mention in the personal profile section and in your covering letters that each is looking for a position with the other.

COVERING LETTERS

Writing a good covering letter can be a real selling point as it gives another opportunity for candidates to directly address prospective employers. This is particularly true when it’s written with a specific position in mind as relevant portions of your CV can be highlighted.

You may choose to write a few lines expressing interest in the position and explaining why you feel you are the right candidate for the job. Use details that you know about the position and relate it to your own personal experience and goals. Be factual and to the point so as not to make it a long document. They will, after all, be reading your CV as well. It would be a mistake to tell them what you are looking for. You are letting them know why you are right for this job; adapt your skills to the position advertised, not the other way round.

MENUS

Chefs should be prepared to provide a well-presented menu ideally with photographs of the plated food or buffets. Perhaps a week's charter-menu showing breakfast, lunch and dinner menus including buffets and fine dining. This is an opportunity to show what you can do so make sure it shows off your skills and displays a variety of cuisines.