Are the odds against me?

[DarkSideOfTheMoon]

Hi guys,

I spoke to SSTG and Chiltern Maritime the other day. SSTG have over 6000 applications with 200 places whilst Chiltern (much smaller company, mind you) have 559 applications and 30 places divided between Deck, Engine and ETO places.

Do I have a snowball's chance in hell considering I have good GCSE results (however didn't take loads, namely English Lang, Maths, Double Award Science, Spanish and French) all A* - B, however I only have two AS-levels in English and History (C and D respectively).

I would like to think the strength of my personal statement, having a father who is a Captain (thus knowing the sacrifices you have to make in the industry) and my employment references might help my case. Nevertheless, there is always the niggling doubt in the back of my mind that the numbers are just too high and the places just too few.
In light of recent events - tuition fees going sky high and university becoming more daunting to school leavers who don't want to be saddled with high student debt; apprenticeships becoming much more favourable, including the opportunities being in the Merch can give you - I guess I should have realised the gravity of the socio-economic situation and why it is now harder than ever to get your foot in the proverbial door...

I would like to know everybody's point of view on this, the aspiring cadets and the veterans of the Merch, and those in between as well.

Should I limit my expectations and prepare for the possibility of imminent rejection or are the odds better than I think?

Thanks for all your swift replies!

[steamer]

It's always worth a punt-get your application in and see what happens!

[GuinnessMan]

Hello!

I don't think your application would be automatically rejected as it looks like you meet some minimum requirements, however the only way to find out is to apply!

The personal statement, if its good, helps however having a Captain for a father is neither here nor there, but the employment references will work in your favour.

Numbers are high and recruitment is reducing but if I could suggest that you do some charity work for a maritime based charity then I cannot see that harming your chances at all...

[DarkSideOfTheMoon]

It's always worth a punt-get your application in and see what happens!

I know it's worth a punt and all I can do is hope at least one of the companies gives me a chance, however the numbers speak for themselves.

It's now harder than ever to get in - this is my primary concern.

Hello!

I don't think your application would be automatically rejected as it looks like you meet some minimum requirements, however the only way to find out is to apply!

The personal statement, if its good, helps however having a Captain for a father is neither here nor there, but the employment references will work in your favour.

Numbers are high and recruitment is reducing but if I could suggest that you do some charity work for a maritime based charity then I cannot see that harming your chances at all...

I know having a father for a captain isn't a massive point in my favour, however I did incorporate it into my personal statement and I believe that a lot of people don't truly understand what it's like to sacrifice half of your time and dedicate it to going to sea. I grew up with my mother all the time and my father only half the time, and I can appreciate how hard that can be from having to say goodbye every 4-6 weeks. Charity work is a good idea, however the applications have been sent off now so can't really change it.

I will PM you my Personal Statement and would love you to have a read and tell me what you think. I have applied to five companies now, some big and some small. I still have one or two applications to do though and it would really help to get your perspective on it.

As always, thanks for your replies, please keep them coming. I really didn't expect them so soon, really impressed!

[Ducki52]

Ye gods, I knew things were competitive, but 6000 applications for 200 places is stupendous. Is that applications that have made it past the initial screening and are to be offered an interview or is that just applications recieved of which x% will be unsuitable?

[DarkSideOfTheMoon]

Ye gods, I knew things were competitive, but 6000 applications for 200 places is stupendous. Is that applications that have made it past the initial screening and are to be offered an interview or is that just applications recieved of which x% will be unsuitable?

That figure was the applications received so far and the gentleman said it was still increasing steadily.

I know, right? Mind-blowing figures and it just goes to show how appealing a career in the Merch is nowadays, more than ever before.

[GuinnessMan]

I'd imagine it's total applications received.

[CharlieDelta]

As always, thanks for your replies, please keep them coming. I really didn't expect them so soon, really impressed!

We worked out once it was 15 minutes on average.

[DarkSideOfTheMoon]

We worked out once it was 15 minutes on average.

Haha, I can tell you're brimming with pride, Chris

What is your point of view on this though? Speaking as a Deck Cadet?

[Ducki52]

That figure was the applications received so far and the gentleman said it was still increasing steadily.

I know, right? Mind-blowing figures and it just goes to show how appealing a career in the Merch is nowadays, more than ever before.

Although I'd imagine a lot of applications are the same person applying to many companies, I for one have applications with both SSTG and Chiltern, amongst others, so the numbers don't perhaps tell the whole truth.

[CharlieDelta]

The companies get a hell of a lot of applications. Carnival get up to 100 per week. But Carnival read each and every one, as I'm sure all the companies do, so just make sure you stand out. Work experience and good results will both stand out.

[Steve]

...however having a Captain for a father is neither here nor there,

It is very relevant. There is a preference for recruits with close family connections to the Merchant Navy, it means they are more likely to understand the lifestyle and what is involved and therefore less likely to drop out at an early stage.

[GuinnessMan]

Really? They wern't interested in mine...

[Steve]

As with everything, YMMV.

[Clanky]

Apply and see where you get, of those 6000 applicants many won't evenj be considered, if your not successful then ask them what you need to do for next year, they may tell you to take more AS levels or whatever and if they see that you have the commitment to go off and do that then I think your chances next year would improve greatly, but hopefully it won't come to that.

Apply to as many companies as you can and give yourself as many options as possible, you may end up having more than one offer.