Carnival UK Interviews

[CharlieDelta]

Anyone got any useful advice? As in how to properly definitely absolutely get the job while being crap at maths and psycowhatsit exams?

:-)

[dawg]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

Actually, I never even got a reply from them... and my CV was pretty tidy and packed... but I think it probably lacked an obvious "cruise-shippy-ness".

I reckon they prefer younger applicants... you gotta remember (if you've seen the STV video... http://video.stv.tv/bc/Programmes/pr...emerchantnavy/ ), that you will definitely be sharing a cramped cabin with another cadet.

You're probably "on show" every time you walk out of your cabin, so "customer service" and perma-grin experience probably matters too.
I reckon if you'd been say, a waiter, or worked in some capacity where public speaking mattered, that that might count for more than qualifications with them.

They can be fussy, because of the glamour, they get loads of applicants - but it's hard to say how sharp their HR staff are. There could be a bit of pot luck involved.
The one(s) I talked to on the phone seemed a shade grumpy, and a bit clumsy and repetitive at the old officespeak (but not as bad as the turkeys at Viking).

Imagine though, if you had a pile of 500 applications and CVs to sort through... how would you do it?

I suppose you'd make categories... piles based on various things.

Lets assume that 2/3 of those apps are for Deck (a complete guess)... how are you going to filter them down from maybe 300 (a complete guess) to about 30 (another guess) people to interview?

You might do qualifications... but you'd still have loads with roughly the same... and we've already established that we don't want egg-heads, we want perfect hosts who are safe bets to make it through the training.
So I would guess that they give some office jockey the monotonous task of working through a pile of at least 100 or so to spot any key words related to experience... so I wouldn't write War & Peace on your form... big bold bullet points might do it...

what keywords would you look for for a world class cruise company cadet?

"hotel"
"service"
"yacht"
"team"
"sport"
"entertainer"
"tour guide"
"customer service"

neat nice friendly handwriting probably matters too...
then they might look for something specific about a connection with the sea

I reckon, it's only after they've sorted out these keyword and gut feeling forms and cvs that they would start analysing weighing up the details of the remaining filtered forms.

These are just guesses... I know naaathing! :P

They've finally updated their site:

http://www.oceanopportunities.com/

...seems that there is now a fully fledged ETO route (but I don't think it's quite the same as the ETO in the RFA - more like the SE thing... electric & electronic - plugging in the DJ's speakers and changing the bulbs in the disco lights :P !)

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

I'm past the form stage thank goodness. I've been cabin crew for a few years so maybe that helped.

Just have to get through the assessment day.

[dawg]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

aah right,

well, I've done a few of them, so I can maybe offer some insights.

essentially they seem to all have about 4 stages:

1. They give you a brief presentation
2. You do some roleplay stuff (not always)
3. You do some written tests against the clock (passes quickly)
4. You do an interview

If you're worried about the maths, then the trick is learning some "maths tricks" - depending on your level.

The good news is, it probably won't look like this

...maybe more like this kind of thing

Have you been given any clues (beyond them saying "GCSE" level)?

You might get some spooky personality test thing with loads of random words to pick to hint at your personality (or lack, thereof :P ); they are after permagrins...

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

GCSE Higher Level apparently.

I'm expecting some trig, algebra, lines, plotting, yada yada.

Eeeep!

[dawg]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

http://www.s-cool.co.uk is alright...

[size4riggerboots]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

I'm not a carnival cadet, but I spent 3 months on one of their ships last summer. It's all about being shiney shiney smiley smiley good morning madam, please watch your step.... look smart and be confident if you get an interview is my advice. Wasn't my cup of tea to be honest. I did apply to carnival but by the time they got back to me to see if I was still interested I'd been at college for 3 months!

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

I've been cabin crew, should be fine! Haha. Smiley smiley, welcome on board etc etc.

I must say, I'm slightly worried by the boot fetish!

:P

[size4riggerboots]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

Boots, shoes, also hats.... It's a gender thing.

[alistairuk]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

seems that there is now a fully fledged ETO route (but I don't think it's quite the same as the ETO in the RFA - more like the SE thing... electric & electronic - plugging in the DJ's speakers and changing the bulbs in the disco lights !)

Nah, theres an army of sound & light technicians and electricians to do that :-)

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Carnival UK Interviews

Boots, shoes, also hats.... It's a gender thing.

Well of a weekend someti...

Eh no comment.