It won’t be an exaggeration to say “when you’re not working you are networking” about how one builds career in the yachting industry. At the beginning of your career, it’ll be meeting people by dock walking, trying to impress the chief officer by handing in your CV with good manners and a clean appearance, working on your confidence to sell yourself in a conversation. Socialising is also highly important at this stage in your career, meeting other people working in the industry. It’s important though not to be the green crew member who’s drunk before the workday is over because they didn’t get day work. It happens and it is a small world, so it will not pass unnoticed. Never forget you are here to build your career!
Once you get that first job, it’s building connections, befriending the crew on the boat next door. Building a relationship with contractors that come onboard so when you move to your next job you have that repour with them. You never know when you’re going to need to pick up the phone and call an old colleague for advice or help.
Your “Word of Mouth” reference is the best reference you will ever get in yachting.
Creating a positive reputation in yachting is a balance. You don’t want to be known as the yachtie that’s always late, nor the yachtie that is always found in a shipyard bar with a beer. It’s about finding a balance of being professional, punctual and personable after all it’s a service industry at its core. On the other hand, being the fun yachtie that goes to dock BBQ’s, socialises after work but doesn’t take it too far.
In yachting building connections is incredibly important to grow in the industry. It takes time to start making the right ones, by connecting with Ahoy crew you’re making a right one. To get in touch with us head to www.ahoycrew.com or contact our recruiter Maya at mv@ahoycrew.com