In fact, I sent off 25 resumes before I heard so much as a whisper when I first started applying to work onboard a cruise ship. And I know people who took over a year and several interviews before they got their job.
The people who eventually land their 'dream job' of working on a cruise ship, are generally the ones who persisted the most. These people did not give up at the first sign of rejection - they kept on applying - no matter how many knock-backs they got.
Here's one such great example of persistence that I'd like to share with you. It's an email I received a few weeks back from a girl who proved to be one of the most determined people I've come across so far.
After many, many months of trying, applying and even flying (she once flew to Belgium for an interview!) and MANY rejection letters received - she finally got her 'dream job' as a Purser for Carnival Cruise Lines.
Here's her email:
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Hi Neil,
I know it's been a while since I send you some news. But the last 3 weeks have been really hectic and busy.
I left Ireland last Sunday, I went back to France to visit my family and my friends and now, I'm writing you from.... MIAMI!! YEAH!!! I got the job with Carnival and I start working this Sunday. I stay at the Holiday Inn North West Corporate Center, close to Carnival's offices and everything is great.
I'm completely jet-lagged, that's why I'm on internet so early this morning. I'm actually awake since 4am!!! We have a meeting at the company today at noon to meet our manager, to get our final affectation (probably Los Angeles for me) and to have more details about the job.
I just wanted to let you know the good news. I'm really, really happy and excited (and tired!!) but I wanted to say THANK YOU for your support and your constant emails to give the strength to keep going. It's a fantastic experience that's going to start and I'm very, very glad it happened to me.
Regards,
Marie-Eve Fluechey (Republic of Ireland)
===
I use this email to act as a bit of inspiration, more than anything else.
You see, the people who win in this game are the people who did not give up at the first sign of rejection and instead just kept applying. So if this is what you really want to do (and you'd be mad not to!) then just go for it and keep going at it.
Eventually you WILL get there. Marie-Eve is proof of this.
Besides, the chances are that when you do start applying, you will get a few rejection letters (heck, I have a whole file full!)
So what? Don't beat yourself up about it and give up hope. There are hundreds of other companies you can apply to and hundreds more positions available that you can do onboard, so just keep applying!
Persistence really is the 'secret'.
Job On Cruise Ships
A common mistake made by job seekers when filling out applications is not following the simple instructions asked by the cruise companies.
Take for instance the following example of a straightforward request posted in a recent employment advertisement:
'Please include a cover letter, a CV/resume and a 6x4 headshot photograph. Post your application to...'
Pretty simple instructions and you'd think nothing could go wrong here. Not so, unfortunately! Would you believe only 61 applicants out of 322, actually carried out these instructions properly?
Common mistakes included sending the application by email instead of posting, forgetting to include a cover letter, sending a full-length photograph and not having the correct sized photo.
Fewer than 20% of applicants seeking jobs on cruise ships correctly followed the instructions and actually made it to the selection process. Amazingly, 261 hopefuls never even had their applications considered, all because they failed to carry out even the simplest of tasks. Their application packages were binned without being read.
I'm sure this appears slightly unfair, but the fact of the matter is: would you employ a person who cannot carry out even a simple instruction?
Cruise companies receive a vast number of job enquiries and applications each week. Staff are very overworked and most recruiters have a system in place to cut down the volume of applications to a reasonable amount. In fact, this is true in most professions, not just in cruise line employment, so it always pays to follow the instructions right down to the letter.
No matter how vast your experience, how skilled you are or how fantastic your resume is, if you don't follow the basic requests your application package will go straight in the bin.
* No photograph? - Trashed!
* No cover letter? - Trashed!
* No job objective? - Trashed!
* Wrong size photograph? - Trashed!
* No phone number? - Trashed!
* Spelling errors? - Trashed!
It's a simple way for busy staff to whittle down large piles of resumes. A stack of around 200 can be decreased quickly and easily to no more than 30, with the trashed ones only receiving a brief glance.
Don't let this happen to you. Always do exactly as the application requests, even if it seems irrelevant, like the colour of ink or photo size. Make sure you haven't given employers any excuse to throw your application away!
As recruiting staff will tell you, your resume is the most important part of any application for cruise line employment.
This can be the deciding factor in whether or not you make the interview stage, so it's vital your resume not only looks good but also sells yourself to your best possible advantage.
Follow these tips to create a resume guaranteed to get a second glance.
* Change your resume a bit to make it targeted to each company and role that you apply for. This is especially important when you're applying for several different positions and cruise lines at once.
* Make sure your resume is laid out in a simple format. No fancy font such as Comic Sans MS or Gothic. Instead, use a clear text like Times New Roman, Ariel or Tahoma, which are distinct and easy to read.
* Don't include reams of pages. A maximum of two is sufficient.
* When outlining your job history, use bullet points, again making it clear and easy to read.
* Don't rely on an automatic spell checker. Check it thoroughly for spelling or typing mistakes and then ask someone else to recheck.
* Keep sentences to the point without rambling. Short and succinct is the key. Finer points can be discussed in more depth at the interview stage.
* Avoid jokes or humorous content. A recruiter will not share your sense of humor, even if you're applying for a comedy act position!
* Always ensure you can back up any data or claims made. This is relevant if you're quoting sales revenues, figures or statistics.
* Don't leave gaps in your employment history. Always give full details even if the breaks were for travelling, for instance.
* Promote your strengths but don't exaggerate. Always make yourself appear highly employable but going over the top will not impress recruitment staff.
Creating an eye-catching, well-written resume is important to make sure your application does not get thrown away.
Follow all instructions carefully and there is no reason why your application won't be among the 20% in with a good chance of being offered jobs on cruise ships!
Neil Maxwell Keys has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cruise Ships, Small Business and Cruise Ships. Neil Maxwell-Keys is THE cruise ship jobs expert and best-selling author of "Get a Cruise Ship Job!" Each week he sends out a FREE tip, technique or strategy about how to get a job on a cruise ship quickly and easily. For further information visit:. Neil Maxwell Keys's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
