How to successfully interview for a seafarer job

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So, the selection has been passed, you have received the “same” call, and ahead is the first interview with the recruiter. Unfortunately, this does not mean that you will necessarily sign a contract for the position that you were offered. We have prepared a simple step-by-step guide that will help you prepare for a difficult test and, quite possibly, will help you get your dreamwork.

Step 1. Study the vacancy

Before going to a crewing agency, find the vacancy offered to you on the website and study it thoroughly. It is important to understand what documents may be required from the candidate, what tests can be carried out before you are approved. Perhaps it will be possible to find additional information about the ship or directly about the vacancy in forums and in groups where seafarers exchange experience. In the same way, you can search for information about a future employer: what level of English is required to work on the ships of his company, what are the working conditions there, etc.

Step 2. Preparation of documents

To have a chance to bypass other candidates, immediately take with you all the documents that you may need, and their copies - electronic (scanned) and paper. It is also advisable to bring certificates of completion of courses, characteristics from previous duty stations, and promotions both in electronic form and in printed form. It is also good to have passport-size photographs (3.5 x 4.5 cm) with you, even if you have a visa ready. It does not hurt to know the validity of the documents, for example, when your visa expires. Many people also advise to have in the mail a draft of a letter prepared in advance with the following content: “I, full name, applying for such and such a vacancy, accept my documents” with an attached attachment.

The speed of submission of documents is of great importance for crewing and vacancies. Many shipowners work with more than one company, and it is a great success to provide a candidate with a full package of documents, furnishing a competing office.

Step 3. English test

Most crewing companies, including our Marine MAN, offer candidates to take an English test right in the office. Of course, if you already have a certificate of passing the Marlins Test, you will not need to confirm it a second time. If you do not have such a document yet, be sure to practice taking the test on the simulator so as not to fail in the most unexpected place.

Many employers also require passing tests of the more difficult Marlins level: CES and SETS 6000. Simulators for them can also be found on the Internet, including in the form of mobile applications for smartphones.

In addition to the general level of the spoken language, you will be sure to check your profile knowledge, which depends on the position for which you are being interviewed. So, sailors need to thoroughly know all the teams, the names of deck mechanisms, as well as working tools.

Rules of conduct during the interview

We figured out the preparation issues, now let's see how to behave directly at the interview with crewing managers in order to make a good impression:

• Come alone - no relatives or friends. Innocent people can get in the way, and in general, their presence will show that you are not an independent person.
• Do not interrupt the crewing staff to appear smart, do not shower with unnecessary information - it only takes up time.
• Try to answer all questions about past jobs and studies clearly and concisely. Do not try to give all the information about the previous vacancy at once, answer only the question that was asked to you.
• If you cannot answer simple questions about previous flights (type, tonnage, transported cargo, sailing area, etc.), the recruiter, of course, will get the impression that your work experience on the ship is fake. Refresh this information in advance.

It is important that you get the impression that you are interested, considerate and confident. In this case, the recruiter will be confident in you and will be more willing to promote your candidacy for an open position.