SSTG Interviews

[warren2i]

so i have landed myself a interview with sstg at there Rochester offices, i have read and reread all there material on there website, there member company's websites and abit of background history of each.
i have a few questions which someone who has attended the interview may be able to answer, will i be expected to know everything there is to know about each company will i be quizzed? or should i just brush up on the company's that i will want to select for sponsorship, sstg's website gave me the following choice

• Boston Putford Offshore Safety Ltd
• Britannia Aggregates Ltd
• CMA-CGM UK Ltd
• Delta Marine Personnel Services Ltd
• Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd
• Gardline Geosurvey Ltd
• Global Marine Systems Ltd
• Hanson Aggregates Marine Ltd
• Intrada Ships Management Ltd
• John H Whitaker (Holdings) Ltd
• Navalmar (UK) Ltd
• North Star Shipping (Aberdeen) Ltd
• Northwood (Fareham) Ltd
• Paccship (UK) Ltd
• P&O North Sea Ferries Ltd
• P&O Ferries Ltd
• Saga Shipping Company
• Sartor Offshore Rescue Ltd
• Seatruck Ferries Ltd
• Sealion Shipping Ltd
• Shetland Islands Council, Ferry Division
• Solent Towage Ltd
• Tarmac Marine Dredging Ltd
• TUI UK Ltd
• Westminster Dredging Company Ltd
• Wightlink Ltd

Quite a lot to research ehh! So should i brush up on the different types of ships the operate, there operational areas.
Also besides the obvious questions of where will you be in 5 years, what will you contribute to the company, and why is sea for you what should i expect?
I relay need to land this interview as i got in the application process late, and received a prompt reply from sstg and really want/need acceptance with them as they come highly recommend not to mention the 600mile trip i will be taking.
This post could do with expanding and i will so at anyone's request, second post i know but i am sure there will be many more in the future.

[HarmlessWeasel]

Obviously you should at least have a good idea about the companies that you want to work with, and knowing a few others doesn't hurt. Have a good idea of what you'll be doing on ship and on land during the course, and once you get a job as a qualified officer. Know what qualifications (not just a HND or FD) you'll have once you graduate, and make sure you really nail the why you want to go to sea question. Not sure what engine specific questions you might get as my interview was obviously deck related.
Almost most importantly, dress smart. Your first impression and attitude will count as much as the interview itself.
Read the many interview threads on here, they're full of great advice.
Oh and just remember that many of the sponsor companies monitor this site and might try and look you up, so don't write anything stupid

Finally, be prepared and relaxed, Steve's a really nice guy and will help put you at ease.

Good luck

[HarmlessWeasel]

What do you want to bet GM tells me off for giving advice as an aspirant again...

[size4riggerboots]

People who have been through interviews recently are actually the best people to ask what it was like!! Just hold off giving advice on how to go about living on ship for a bit!

[tommo]

Had the interview with Steve, and I am just waiting to hear back from him regarding sponsors, what I can tell you is that all the cruise ship companies that SSTG represent are not recruiting for this September.
So that should help you break down some of your choices :P
Yeah and just like Fergus said, Steve is a really great guy, and I think you will enjoy the interview! Good luck when it comes!

[HarmlessWeasel]

People who have been through interviews recently are actually the best people to ask what it was like!! Just hold off giving advice on how to go about living on ship for a bit!

not actually tried to yet, but I was looking forward to it! I had loads of hobby suggestions lined up like salmon fishing, parkour and yodelling...

[EH75]

Couple of years since I had my interview but Steve was very good at putting you at ease. It felt more like a chat than anything else. Just make sure you have your "why you want to go to sea" stuff nailed on plus do a bit of research on the companies and the career in general and you'll be alright. Although I would suspect the fact you are asking questions on here means you are probably going in the right direction anyway!

[GuinnessMan]

What do you want to bet GM tells me off for giving advice as an aspirant again...

Maybe another time, I'm a bit busy the now....

[jake]

they never even got back to me so im a bit miffed! hey ho thats the way this game goes i suppose ! onward and upwards!

[jonnylambert]

im with sstg just finished phase one yesterday and im off to sea next month, like someone has said above it is more like a chat than an interview with steve, he advised me through it, one tip dont say your joining the career because you want to travel the world, he told me to go and book a world wide cruise ( in a jokey way ) haha, im with boston putford, although they are off shore and not for everyone they look after their cadets very well, you get an observer trip in the summer where you spend about 2 weeks on board seeing what the career is like, something that no other companies do. good luck