There is no one-size-fits-all approach to knowing what captains or owners of luxury yachts are looking for in yacht staff, as each charter is different.
It is quite important for captains or owners of yachts to be very selective as the right crew and inter-social skills of that crew can make all the difference for a successful charter.
What they are looking for in yacht crew depends on a number of things, including, but not limited to:
How long the voyage is
Who is onboard
Where they are sailing
The type of vessel
And of course, the particular position you’re applying for
Skillset, the required yacht crew certificates and training are very important, but the combination of personality plus skill is what makes for the perfect candidate.
During the interview the interviewer will typically set out to distinguish a candidate’s strengths, motivation and cultural fit on-board. Questions (and therefore answers) should be indirectly formulated to prove the following points:
Can the candidate do the job?
Will they enjoy doing the job?
Will they be easy to work and live with?
However, there are some basic tips to help you ace your yacht job interview.
WHAT TO WEAR
Yacht crew usually are given a standard uniform to wear during the charter. Colours are typically standard, so try to wear something similar to such a uniform. First impressions are extremely important, so pay extra attention to your attire, and smile.
Wear a clean, crisp white polo shirt or t-shirt with beige or navy trousers or skirt
Wear your hair up and neat and tidy.
Look natural, leaving heavy make up at home and men should be clean-shaven with a trimmed haircut. (Remove any facial piercings.)
Have clean, shaped nails and be well groomed
Body language is also very important, smile and sit up straight and keep your head held high.
COMMON QUESTIONS TO PREPARE FOR
Tell Me About Yourself – A very common question even outside of yacht job interviews. Not only an ice-breaker, but your time to shine. If answered well, it will unquestionably increase your chances of obtaining a job offer. You will need to provide a coherent answer that has been prepared well in advance of the interview, and keep it to-the-point. Two to three minutes is a good starting point. Focus on past accomplishments and provide facts where you are able. If you have never worked as yacht crew before, don’t stress, they chose to interview you for a reason – so speak about any other skills you picked up along the way, that is pertinent to the yacht position.
Why do you want to work on a yacht – This is a tricky one and the answer should never focus on you, but rather what you can bring to the table. Highlight your past experiences and skills that could assist the captain.
Why should we hire you – This is again the chance to shine and deliver your final convincing argument. Keep it succinct and try to cover three things: Convey that you are a solution to a recruitment problem ; That your skills set, sets you apart from the crowd ; and That you meet the employer’s needs for this position.
Do you have any questions – These should be appropriate to the job you are applying for, and ideally not about the salary. Ask about the yacht, the crew, your duties and the itinerary.
ADDITIONAL TIPS TO HELP YOU SHINE
Be confident, but friendly – but not over friendly/casual.
Convey resilience, commitment and team spirit.
Demonstrate commitment to the job, so it is clear that you will not quit halfway through the season.
Turn your mobile phone off before the interview.
Show that you are eager to learn.
Remember to thank the captain/interviewer for their time
If you are keen to take the job, say so and communicate that you will represent the yacht well – just don’t come across as desperate.
Be ready to move quickly, yacht jobs are usually short-notice or sometimes same-day recruitment requests!
Remember that during the interview you are also deciding whether this charter will be the right fit for you as well. But always remember that the key is to come across as competent, confident and friendly, even if it is immediately apparent that you might not be interested in that particular charter. In future that captain or owner may have a different charter for which you could be the perfect candidate, so always impress!
If you would like more one-on-one guidance to prepare for your interview, get in touch with us to set up a consultation to help you ace your yacht job interview.
