Have i applied too late for Sept 2013 intake?

[Pinkscampi]

Hi,I applied last week too a number of companies. So far i have not heard anything back from any of them. Have i applied too late for the sept 2013 intake? If so, how long usually should i wait before actively contacting the companies??Sorry if this has been asked before..Thanks

[Lewis]

Some companies take months to get back to folks. Keep applying to other companies. Don't get you heart set on one. I wouldn't want to be contacting them within a week use your time to track down some other companies to apply to

[Pinkscampi]

Thanks,

Ive applied to about 8 or 9 plus a few recruitment agencies, like clyde marine etc. Im in full time employment until August, so its annoying having to save my holidays for potential interviews.

I shall endeavour to be more patient.

[Ares]

When I applied to SSTG it was in August and I was accepted for the September uptake for that year, so keep trying and don't give up hope yet.

I would imagine that most companies would pay for any travel requirements for an interview.

[Pinkscampi]

Thanks! I so hope someone says yes! Trinity house have already said no. Not sure why though. I have a degree already so I hope that doesn't go against me. I have saved for travel, I'm serious about going so don't mind funding the travel!

[HarmlessWeasel]

I will have a degree by the time I start. Didn't bother anyone as far as I can tell, but apparently it does affect funding slightly. I'd start calling after a month, but I did hear back from a few companies about 4/5 months after my initial application so don't worry too much. You have missed the the September intake for Maersk though.

[Pinkscampi]

Thanks! I shall mark the one month date in my diary, then I willl call/hassle them all! Yeah i thought i had missed the Maersk intake. Ive seen that there is an open day at Warsash at the end of June, do you think it would be worth going? It is literally at the other end of the country though, and i cant imagine any companies are going to be there that I haven't already applied for.

I've seen that there may be funding issues, I hope that I get a chance at an interview to prove myself.

[Pinkscampi]

So I asked for feedback as to why i was rejected. This is the email:

"Your application was declined and marked as unsuccessful as it showed a lack of interest and knowledge in working at sea. To improve your applications in the future, you may wish to add any personal interests or endeavours you have undertaken to dedicate yourself to this career. Such things can include, but are not limited to, visits to maritime careers events and college open days, information on relevant personal activities, and any documentation already held in order to begin such a career."

Since i have a geography degree and work full time, im not sure how to express my interest. I mean I've been sailing a few times when i was a kid and i live next to the ocean. Since i only applied recently there are no open days for a while. i've re-written my "blurb" but i'm not sure that will help all that much, especially since i have applied already! I re-submitted my carnival application and re-applied with Clyde.

[HarmlessWeasel]

Open Days are definitely worth going to, especially as trinity said your application showed "lack of interest and knowledge in working at sea". Granted, Warsash is a bit far, but are there not any closer to home like Glasgow coming up? Are there any Sea Scouts nearby that you could work/volunteer for? You could consider doing a week on a tall ship if you can afford the money and holiday time. Is there a local RNLI station you could volunteer at? Or is there a local sailing club you could join and get out on the water with? Doing some weekend trips can't hurt your application.

The companies will be spending a lot of money on you (about ?60-70k) and the drop out rate is very high, so they're looking for someone who is going to stick the course, and complete it successfully. They don't want someone who's decided on a whim to give it a go. You need to show evidence of having researched the career, and that you understand what it involves. It is not a floating holiday on a cruise ship (even if that's where you happen to work).

If you're accepted into this year's intake then great, but you want to think about building up a sort of portfolio of related activities and achievements you can use in your application next year. If you reapply for January or next September, Trinity will be impressed if you can say something along the lines of:

"since my rejection last May, I have endeavoured to prove my interest and determination to break into this career. Since June I have been working at my local Sea Scouts group. I was assigned [insert role] which really improved [insert key skills]. I have also started sailing at [insert sailing club here] on [type of boat]. I have found sailing and being on the water to be what I really love, as well as showing that I already have the confidence and ability to work under pressure, both as a team and independently, that will help me thrive in the industry. My time on [name of tall ship] confirmed this and gave me a taste for life at sea that I can't ignore."

Something like that will prove your determination to go through with this career choice, and then you just have to show that you've done your research and know what you're letting yourself in for. Read a few blogs from current seafarers and cadets, mention them in your interview when you get one, and mention this place too. Read books about the merchant navy, watch documentaries, do anything related.

Finally, when you're writing your CV again, read this. Take anything Hatchorder says as Gospel, and when you've done everything on his list, send him a PM and ask if he'd be willing to look at your CV

http://www.officercadet.com/showthread.php/6333-CV-help-amp-advice?p=52971&viewfull=1#post52971

[Lewis]

Open Days are definitely worth going to, especially as trinity said your application showed "lack of interest and knowledge in working at sea". Granted, Warsash is a bit far, but are there not any closer to home like Glasgow coming up

Not to mention the free stationary :P

[Pinkscampi]

Thanks! That is great information! I have already started to tailor it to be more specific. A captain I know it trying to arrange for me to visit one of the ferries he works on to speak to him and any cadets he has. I have read loads of blogs, just didn't think to mention in in the application. I shall look into our local RNLI though. Its difficult to find volunteer work in the islands, especially when working full time.
I thought about trying to do the access to the merchant navy course at Lews Castle college but because I already have a degree I cannot get funding. My CV admittedly is quite general because I dont have any experience really with the sea. This will change now though!!

[MacNeil]

If you're hoping to secure a place in college, I don't think it's best to join the RNLI right now as they put a lot of money into training, gear etc... and well if you move you wouldn't be living near a station. But hey, that's just my opinion!

[HarmlessWeasel]

If you're hoping to secure a place in college, I don't think it's best to join the RNLI right now as they put a lot of money into training, gear etc... and well if you move you wouldn't be living near a station. But hey, that's just my opinion!

you could do non-active volunteering surely? There must be maintenance or admin that needs doing.

[Pinkscampi]

There is a few things non-sea related that I've not got involved with because I don't plan on staying on the island past 2013. So its difficult. I do plan on giving them a wee call to see.

[MacNeil]

I applied to Maersk after this year's intake deadline, however I got an email late last week asking if I would be interested in an interview within the next three weeks. So with regards to being too late, definitely not with the likes of SSTG, and Clyde Marine. I think I might have struck luck with that email from Maersk though. Good luck, and try as many places as you can.