In any industry, a CV is usually your first method of forming an impression on your employer. That is true for everyone and applying for a deckhand position is not an exception to that. In this article, we will be explaining how impactful writing a CV for a deckhand job can be.
CV is not everything, but it is certainly important.
The reason we say this is because you should ACTIVELY seek a deckhand position. That means visiting a dock, actively seeking employment, forming connections, and so on.
However, we are not downplaying the CV for a deckhand job here. They are equally important. After your active first impression (in case you meet the employer face-to-face), the CV is all he will have afterwards. It is what your employer will use to fill the gaps about you as a candidate and make his ultimate decision.
And if you are someone who is seeking solely through recruitment agents or agencies then your CV will be your first impression. Let’s find out what’s important and what is not.
Writing a CV for a Deckhand Job on a Yacht.
a. Be Honest
Okay, our first piece of advice is really really important here. BE HONEST. Yes, we know that you want to aim for a higher position, secure better pay, and whatnot. But we all have to start from somewhere. Hence, it is important that you only advertise what you are, and not what you aren’t.
Even if you exaggerate on your CV but are not able to represent the same energy and knowledge practically, you will be in big trouble. The word about your notoriety would spread around the dock rather quickly, rendering you unable to find an actual employment opportunity.
b. Use correct grammar and spelling
This may seem like a small thing, but this matters. People often say that nobody reads your CVs, they just want to see how you represent yourself. While that is half-true, people do read CVs. And that it does form an impression. It is better to proofread your CV before you submit it, make sure there are no spelling and grammatical mistakes, and make it easy to read for your employer.
c. Mention correct experiences on the CV
This co-exists with our first point, ‘Be Honest’. Mention your past works as accurately as you can on the CV. This will give the right idea to your employer about your skillsets. Besides, we also encourage you to be realistic about your goals and ambitions.
For example, as a rookie deckhand with barely any experience, you should not directly seek a senior position on the yacht. Be realistic and always remember that there is a ladder to climb and you can prove yourself to be worthy of it.
d. Mention your qualifications and list your certificates.
As someone who is applying for the deckhand job on a yacht, you have to fulfil a few prerequisites:
- STCW Course
- ENG1 Medical Certificate
- PB2 Course
These three are the least mandatory requirements to apply as a deckhand on any yacht. So make sure you cover these in your resume.
Apart from that, any skills that are relevant to the deckhand job are most welcome! For example, if you are an expert diver, that would definitely stand out on your resume. Or, you can always show your boat driving experience as a skipper too. Remember that whatever relevant experiences and certificates you have, just mention them. It will do good for you.
And Remember…
No matter in what order you write your CV for a deckhand position, make sure you are precise with your information. And don’t make any basic mistakes like spelling mistakes, or spending too much time on design rather than the content itself. Your employer should feel good reading your CV and understand the necessary information easily.
To make this daunting task simpler for you, QuikResume got some effective deckhand CV samples for you.
If you require further assistance, or if you are looking for a deckhand course in Cape Town, South Africa, Sail and Power SA is your go-to institute! We cover all aspects of being a deckhand at reasonable prices. Contact us today to find out more!