Hello people!

[graham_06]

Hey there, i'm a recently qualified OOW engineer. I've been applying for jobs for over 2 months and only heard back from Viking Recruitment speaking for Holland America. They said they will be in contact as soon as they've arranged a recruitment day for an interview. Has anyone else been through this?, whats the chances of getting recruited as I have only 7 months experience as a cadet.
All feedback welcome!.

[size4riggerboots]

Hi Graham and welcome.

I thought engineer cadets only had to have 6 months sea time to qualify anyway? So you shouldn't be at a disadvantage to anyone else who's newly qualified. I've seen Viking (aka Jobs at Sea) posting this on fb, "Hi from everyone at Viking Dover. We hope you all have a great weekend! Please take a look at our post for a 4th Engineer reference 4479. We are looking to fill this position urgently!" perhaps you should give them a call?

Most newly qualified officers have a tough time finding that first job, as everyone wants officers with experience, but you have to get the job to get the experience! Don't give up, just keep on applying for everything, and follow your applications with phone calls a few days later asking for news on progress of your application/feedback if you were unsuccessful. Best of luck!

[graham_06]

Hi Riggerboots!

I seen that vacancy and applied but its only for experienced 4th engineers lol, I'm just off the phone with cal mac and they're saying there seasonal recruitment starts in march ends in october, starting to think its like this with most companies so maybe I qualified at the wrong time. What month did you find employement?. Does anyone know much about the holland america interview anf the chance of getting in with them?

[broadbandylegs]

Hi Graham - Try North Sea companies if you haven't already - North Star, Vroon, Viking Supply, Farstad. There's a lot of activity at the moment. Will be uncomfortable in the winter but at least you'll be getting experience.

[graham_06]

Thanks for the tip, i've already applied 2 weeks ago for these companies but i'll probably follow up with a phone call mon.

[size4riggerboots]

Hi Riggerboots!

I seen that vacancy and applied but its only for experienced 4th engineers lol, I'm just off the phone with cal mac and they're saying there seasonal recruitment starts in march ends in october, starting to think its like this with most companies so maybe I qualified at the wrong time. What month did you find employement?. Does anyone know much about the holland america interview anf the chance of getting in with them?

It's the ultimate catch 22 isn't it?! I qualified in Dec 2011, but while I made a few online applications I wasn't seriously looking for a couple of months- I figured I deserved a break! When I decided it was time to get serious I got in touch with my sponsors who helped me get an interview with viking. I was told that the only people who'd take me on as a newly qualified officer would be Holland America, so I got the HAL interview: There's a HAL "it's awesome working for us", a safety induction/test you do on a computer and then the interview itself, which is fairly standard: tell us about yourself and how you got into this career, situation based questions etc. I was told that I'd done well but would have to wait until a position became available.

After the interview I dropped a line to a captain I'd sailed with as a cadet on another shipping line that also do their recruitment through viking, asking if they had any positions, they did, and he dropped viking a line saying that he'd recommend me, I got a call the day after the interview asking if I could start with that company within a few days. It's not just what you know, it's who! I'd recommend getting in touch with anyone senior you've sailed with before asking if anyone has positions available or if they can give you a recommendation.

[broadbandylegs]

Phoning as a follow up is a must - you just don't know how good the 'back office' system is for picking up online applications.

Don't lose heart - it may take a bit of time but you only need 1 successful application and then you're in! After that it's up to you.

Also a good idea to call back after a couple of weeks for updates - you may just happen to be in the right place at the right time...

[graham_06]

Thanks again riggerboots and thanks broadband, I'm making a fresh start Monday with the follow up calls. Just a quick question about HAL, after they say you've passed the interview ect. Whats the chances of them ever calling you up with a position available, after browsing this site a little it seems they tell a lot of officers they've passed but are they just trying to keep lots of options open or are they serious about getting you a start?.

[size4riggerboots]

As I managed to get a job with another company on the basis of that interview I'm afraid I really can't answer that