Shipping experience

[RollyJoger]

I have had a 3 interviews so far, with Shell, Maersk and BP. They all said I gave a good interview and were impressed with my CV and so on but I was rejected because others applicants had more "life experience" than me (I'm 21 btw). I really want to become a deck cadet but I have little experience at sea. I have been on lots of ferries, small boats etc but have never worked at sea or been on a ships bridge etc. Do any of you prospective cadets have much experience on boats/ships/ferries etc? If so, who with and how did you get it?
What kind of things make an applicant irresistible to a company?
Thanks

[dawg]

Re: Shipping experience

It really does depend on who you are applying to (as well as what position); and how you can tailor yourself to their needs.

Shell and BP probably have a high ratio of applicants to actual places (some others may do too... we wait to learn from interviewees what they may have been told); Maersk maybe less so.
More people apply for Deck than Engine; so that's also increasing the competition.
The RFA (I presume you're applying), is a slightly different ball game.

I'm not sure if sea experience is the be all and end all, but doing things like RNLI and RYA etc... probably helps. You could also think about more lateral thinking. CharlieDelta has shifted from planes to cruise ships - the obvious link being handling loads of customers on long journeys with a smile etc...

I know of successful engineer cadets who've got in with industrial mechanical experience... so it's "transferable skills" that you might want to look at.

When they say "life experience", they may mean lack of exposure to foreigners, to stressful situations (...those tedious "competency-based interviews"), positions of responsibility, team activities etc...
Go and get some if you haven't got any. You can get them from all kinds of sources - charity work might make you shine at interview

Maybe you could describe what things went well or badly from your POV (by PM if you prefer)?

[alistairuk]

Re: Shipping experience

I have had a 3 interviews so far, with Shell, Maersk and BP. They all said I gave a good interview and were impressed with my CV and so on but I was rejected because others applicants had more "life experience" than me (I'm 21 btw). I really want to become a deck cadet but I have little experience at sea. I have been on lots of ferries, small boats etc but have never worked at sea or been on a ships bridge etc. Do any of you prospective cadets have much experience on boats/ships/ferries etc? If so, who with and how did you get it?
What kind of things make an applicant irresistible to a company?
Thanks

When asked at interviews why you are interested etc. try and put across that you travel on ferries regularly or that you go sailing... if you have any RYA courses.. be sure they are on your CV and talk about them. If any of your family are at sea talk about this.

You haven't mentioned this, but I am assuming you previously worked elsewhere - whether part time / full time as part of a team.. if so put across what you did and how you contributed to the team. (Working in shops, etc.) If you went to university or college and did any extra curricular stuff (or were part of any teams) explain this too them.

I had no "sea" experience or any family members in the industry when I applied, other than travelling on a few cross channel ferries and cruise ships. So I am pretty sure that they don't expect applicants to have experience in the industry - just to be able to show that they can work as part of a team and that you have researched the career choice you are making and know what is involved.

Or you may just have been unlucky and up against other applicants who have experience on tall ships, sailing or were sea cadets etc.

I am sure you probably have already, but if its a career you really want to work in, it doesn't really matter who your sponsor is (if you have the option of choosing a company you want great, but at the end of the day the training is identical and you will be able to move to other companies / parts of the industry once you are qualified), so although those 3 may have turned you down you will most likely have better luck with one of the other sponsors. Clyde Marine are always a good bet as they have the largest number of cadet spaces available.

As for having never visited the bridge - if you are on any ferries or cruise ships just ask at the guest relations desk and tell them you are interested in being a cadet - most will arrange for you to visit the bridge.

[dawg]

Re: Shipping experience

Yeah, stick around and tell us how it goes

[RollyJoger]

Re: Shipping experience

Thanks for the posts alistair and nemo. Extremely helpful information there. Really appreciate it. Thanks!