Clyde Marine rejection due to academic results or age?

[samsezhi]

I have similar qualifications as you but as they are in a completely different subject and I had to have prepared why I was making the switch clear and what experience I have in thinking this is actually want to do. I was really honest about the lack of jobs in my chosen career and how this was the next best thing and how ccf and cadets at uni have given me experience with ships and I know what is involved.

[CWB]

Hi,

I'll be 32 in September but have decided to pursue a career in the merchant navy. Although partially due to becoming disillusioned with the office job, it's something I have been considering for several years as I grew up on the coast and my first job was as a sailing instructor.

I applied to Clyde Marine last week for a position as an officer cadet and have just received an e-mail letting me know that I was not successful in the first selection process (after passing the initial online test). I'm just wondering if this is this due to my academic results or my age?

I have nine GCSE's (1 A, 7 B's and a C.) Four A-levels (1 A and 3 C's) and a Bsc from King's College London. I've worked mostly in management and have a reasonable C.V. which includes several years in the ATC and CCF, TEFL and PADI qualifications and membership of various societies and sports teams.

Perhaps I'm just being arrogant but I thought I would at least get an interview. However maybe the academic requirements are higher than I had realised? If this is the case is it worth pursuing a career in the Merchant navy or should I be looking elsewhere?

Any input would be much appreciated,

Ali

I don't think its to do with your age, I have similar qualifications to yourself and have experienced numerous rejections, its a case of just keeping on going and learning from application to application and interview to interview.

[Blondie]

Looking at your GCSE results it seems like you meet the minimum for the HNC course and your A-levels would suggest you also meet the prerequisites for the FD course. Put the idea that being 32 is going against you out of your head, there are plenty of older cadets in training. I applied at 33 and have a similar background to yourself.

As others have said, call CMT, ask for feedback and keep applying. With your CCF background have you thought about the RFA?

[Pilot Chris]

Also may be worth getting someone in the industry to assist getting your CV tailored to a maritime slant, if you look at a few relevant posts you can see who may be able to assist with a friendly PM!

[Galley Slave]

There's an open day at Warsash on the 27th of this month. My advice would be to attend and meet the training providers and sponsors face to face. If you do decided to attend it will be a good chance to make an impression. It's always a good idea to take your CV to hand out as well, it might be an idea to have a look at Hatchorders thread on CV's.

good luck

[YoungMariner]

Also appreciate that you can be over qualified, you have to be ready to work as a cadet doing manual labour/ hands on jobs supervised by officers and possibly even a captain younger then you. But they obviously haven't given you the chance to prove otherwise. They do receive thousands of applications for each space and so it's a challenge to stand out.

[desdons]

As an older cadet I sympathise however as The Kraken has said don't be too disheartened after being rejected by CMT. I got rejected by them as I didn't have any experience of being on ferries!!! I was born and brought up on an island and have spent many hours on calmac ferries and fishing boats. I think CMT pick and choose and they tend to go for younger cadets. I am in a class with approx 8-9 CMT cadets and none are older, they're all 18-22.

It sounds like you meet the minimum requirements. If your worst was a C then it meets the requirements assuming you did Maths, English and 2 sciences one being Physics so I would definitely phone them however when I did I was totally fobbed off saying they're were stronger candidates and the reasoning for my rejection I felt was being made up on the spot!

Anyway, try all companies, I got many rejections and luckily secured sponsorship through Bibby and I've shown them that despite my age and not been in school for years I've worked hard and topped the class in most the exams and not had any re-sits where two thirds of the class have had re-sits.

Stick at it and I would advise you to hold off applying for a few months and go for January 2015 intake as most companies will have filled September spaces and will knock back applications or 'keep them on file'.

Good luck and make sure you use hatchorders guide to cv and personal statement.

[The Kraken]

I wouldn't say it was to do with you're age, most likely core qualifications (Maths, Science etc). The Merchant Navy has become increasingly popular in recent years as university fees rise and jobs are cut due to the recession, hence it is far more competitive now than it was a few years ago. This allows companies to be picky, personally I would phone them and ask for feedback. However, don't be put-off with one rejection, there are still plenty of companies to apply for. Try SSTG, Maersk, Trinity House etc.

[Alimack]

Hi,

I'll be 32 in September but have decided to pursue a career in the merchant navy. Although partially due to becoming disillusioned with the office job, it's something I have been considering for several years as I grew up on the coast and my first job was as a sailing instructor.

I applied to Clyde Marine last week for a position as an officer cadet and have just received an e-mail letting me know that I was not successful in the first selection process (after passing the initial online test). I'm just wondering if this is this due to my academic results or my age?

I have nine GCSE's (1 A, 7 B's and a C.) Four A-levels (1 A and 3 C's) and a Bsc from King's College London. I've worked mostly in management and have a reasonable C.V. which includes several years in the ATC and CCF, TEFL and PADI qualifications and membership of various societies and sports teams.

Perhaps I'm just being arrogant but I thought I would at least get an interview. However maybe the academic requirements are higher than I had realised? If this is the case is it worth pursuing a career in the Merchant navy or should I be looking elsewhere?

Any input would be much appreciated,

Ali