Tips/Advice

[zuluonezero]

Right, so I'm in need of some advice. I'm looking to become a deck officer cadet in the merchant navy or RFA but I'm a bit stuck. About 8 weeks ago I decided that a career at sea was for me and so I went about filling in various application forms for different sponsor companies (about 10). And I've heard back from 2.

Now one of these is the RFA and at current I'm just waiting for a SIFT interview date, so its all good there, but with everything else I just seem to be waiting. It's a bit frustrating reading how everyone else on here seems to be going off to college in September and I can't bear the thought of being left with nothing but a part time job come September when all of my friends go off to uni and the like.

So, is there anything I can do to speed up the whole process? Or anywhere other than the college websites that I can look for sponsors?

Thankyou very much and any replies will be greatly received.

Z 1-0

[GuinnessMan]

To be honest, I think you've missed the intakes for this year. You may be lucky and be in with a chance for a January start, but realisitically, you're looking at a start next September at the earliest.

Perhaps it's worth phoning around a few of the sponsor companies and checking they've received your application?

[Lewis]

Apply to anyone and everyone. Have a look for more companies you may have missed the first time round.

[zuluonezero]

@GMan oh right. I'm entirely new to this whole thing so I hadn't realised that. When does the while process usually start?
I've emailed CMT back today to chase them up, I'm still waiting for my interview date with the RFA. SSTG never got back to me so I've assumed that I didn't get through their initial processing, and I can't find any contact details for Carnival.

@Lewis I'll get onto that but I'm fairly sure I applied for all the companies I could, and the ones who I didn't have their training run by SSTG.

[zuluonezero]

I've just gone through the Carnival/P&O/Cunard page. And the only contact info they have is their address. Under the FAQ's it does say that they usually shortlist a few days before the closing date, but the deck officer cadet 'job' has no closing date. So yeah, short of going to Portsmouth I have no idea what to do next.

[HarmlessWeasel]

Try sending SSTG another email. They generally like to at least reply to everyone, at least you'll know.

[CharlieDelta]

Carnival should be interviewing for the January intake soonish. Definitely get your application in.

[size4riggerboots]

I've watched people on here take months if not years to get a cadetship, I had been at college for three months before carnival even got back to me at all! It's not a race, I understand your frustration at the speed of the process but use the time to practise your interview techniques, do LOTS of research on all the companies you've applied to and make sure that when you do get to that interview you're going to show them that you know what the lifestyle involves (and it is a lifestyle not a job) what ships are out there, what you'd like to train on, where you'd like to end up....

And then one day you could end up like me.... sitting in a port in a freezing howling gale in the arse end of no-where, on the bridge with a can of cider because that's the only place you can pick up the dodgy wifi signal from shore side, blathering at the next generation about how brilliant the job is.

Now where's the rum???

*I may bitch abut my job, but actually I have it pretty good here, not too much work, port calls in civilisation are about 4-5 days, port calls at the other end are up to 3 weeks, good people and they sell cider in the supermarkets!

[zuluonezero]

Cheers guys, I've emailed Carnival on an address I found but the email bounced back, so I may just visit their office in Southampton. I'll email SSTG as well, and I heard back from CMT today. The issue for an interview with them is my location; London, where they don't carry out daily interviews.
My interview technique is good I'd like to think, I did loads with the Army, through cadets and with my current job. My research will be thorough. I'll keep trying as I don't intend in giving up any time soon.

Cheers for the replies,

Z 1-0

[CharlieDelta]

I may just visit their office in Southampton.

I don't recommend this. Most HR staff aren't keen on unsolicited visits. It's not a drop-in service.

Carnival are a very popular company and cadet management and recruitment is currently being handled by two people. They will see your application and they will respond, but give them time.

[GuinnessMan]

I don't recommend this. Most HR staff aren't keen on unsolicited visits. It's not a drop-in service.

Agreed. As someone who used to get this on a regular basis (at least twice a week and simply because our receptionist consisted of a small bell and I could be seen from the door, which makes me wonder why they didn't run away screaming when they saw me...), having some random punter come wandering in to pass me a CV and ask for a job really does get on one's tits after a while....

[chris]

I heard back from CMT today. The issue for an interview with them is my location; London, where they don't carry out daily interviews.

That's odd I had an interview with Clyde in London but it was back in 2010 I guess. (In the chamber of shipping building). The interviewer had travelled up from Portsmouth or Southampton.

[zuluonezero]

Okay well perhaps I'll just wait out on that front then. I have asked CMT if I can change my interview location to Southampton though. Exams finished today so now I've got as much time as I need to read up on ships and companies.
Additionally, has anyone got any ideas or resources for reading up and practicing nav stuff? I'm pretty handy with a map and compass but want to get a feel for it; 7P's and all that.

[GuinnessMan]

Okay well perhaps I'll just wait out on that front then. I have asked CMT if I can change my interview location to Southampton though. Exams finished today so now I've got as much time as I need to read up on ships and companies.
Additionally, has anyone got any ideas or resources for reading up and practicing nav stuff? I'm pretty handy with a map and compass but want to get a feel for it; 7P's and all that.

I highly doubt they're going to ask you to plot a course for them. Read whats on the website, go through our big bumper interview thingy and perhaps fire a PM over to Hatchorder and you should do alright...

[zuluonezero]

Okay. I was thinking more for my own personal skills, but I'll have a browse over the site.