Many directors of marine personnel are experiencing a doubling of staff with each new ship. "My duties as Director of Marine Personnel have shown me how important a second language can be. Now I look after twice as many employees and I always have to communicate; not just in English and Greek, but Spanish as well. Spanish is a must."
"It's helpful if you speak more than one language," advises Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's human resource vice president. "For example, a good purser must converse in all the major Romance languages; Spanish, Italian, German, and English. One of our pursers speaks eight languages."
GET THAT INTERVIEW
"It's important to meet your prospective employer face-to-face and really sell yourself," says a top district sales manager for a major line. "Do whatever you can to get a one-on-one interview. If you have to travel, do it. It will be worth it, because the interview will probably be what gets you the job."
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW - IT'S WHO YOU KNOW
Sea wind Cruise Line Regional Sales Manager, Bruce Water comments, "A lot of people get the job because they are at the right place at the right time. They come on board as passengers and talk to the right people. If you aren't getting the response you'd like from your applications, try taking a cruise and meet the people who work aboard ship."
"Don't be shy!" says a young woman from the mid-western United States, who now travels the Caribbean as an entertainer. "Ask people you know for information about openings and opportunities. Network, and let your friends know what you can do and what you're looking for. Give them copies of your resume so they can help you in your job search."
WORK HARD - PLAY HARD
With most cruise lines, you must be willing to work your way up the ladder of success. "American Hawaii Cruises promotes from within," their personnel director says. "You can start as a waiter or waitress and get promoted to steward. Unless you have cruise ship experience you will start at the bottom. Half of our applicants think they can be the cruise director right away, because they love people. It takes experience."
"You have to be realistic about your expectations," says a manager of shipboard operations for one of the Big Three. "You will work a 4 to 6 month contract, seven days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day. You will work a seven day week because the ship's services don't stop when we're in port. It is sometimes difficult for new people to realize that they are in the service business.
"You need to start telling yourself, 'I am in the service industry. I'm here to serve these passengers and make their cruise fun, safe and memorable. I'm not here necessarily to fraternize with them.' When you're reading the cruise line brochure, remember it was created for the passenger and not for the staff. Use the brochures to plan your time off in exotic ports around the world."
LOCALS ONLY
Many people interested in cruising wonder if they need to be from a coastal area or live in a port city to get a job with a cruise line. Interviews with cruise line employees show that staff is hired from around the world. Carnival Cruise Lines' Manager of Operations says, "We hire throughout the world. I'll interview over the phone if we have a qualified applicant who is seriously interested but cannot apply in person at our Miami office."
PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF
As you begin your cruise line job search, understand that you are entering both the service industry and the entertainment business. Just as the actor in London or New York will wear out the soles of his shoes to get his first part, you must be willing to persist in your cruise line job search. This requires a constant, relentless, and very polite campaign to keep your face in front of personnel. You want to say, 'Hire me, I'm enthusiastic, skilled, capable, and ready, willing, and able to work for your cruise line.'
"The people who are the most persistent are the ones I think of when a position comes open," says one personnel director. "It pays to be persistent, but not obnoxious or pushy. I simply won't deal with rude people," she says. Be polite, available, and persistent. Cruise employment instructor and former cruise director Beverley Citron, says it best: "Persistence breaks resistance!"
OOPS! NO ROOM FOR MISTAKES.
Carefully proofread your resume as if your job depends on its accuracy. It just might! A misspelling or typo brands you as careless and might cause a personnel director to reject your application. If you have access to a good computer system with a laser printer, use it! If not, spend the money and have your resume professionally typeset and printed. You'll need 50-100 copies. Sounds like a lot? Don't cheat yourself. You will need to send your resume with each of your initial applications and any follow-up correspondence. Give copies of your resume to your friends and professional references they can help you with your job search.
I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE LIKE JULIE ON LOVEBOAT™
"The most popular positions are on the cruise staff; cruise director or hostess," says a veteran shipboard entertainer. "It's glamorous, but there is a lot of competition for these jobs. You can do well by applying for a specific cruise staff position such as a dancer, production entertainer, or youth counselor."
I GOT THE INTERVIEW!
Congratulations!
This is no time to be modest you are there to sell yourself. Demonstrate you are a dedicated employee and a team player, with a sincere interest in serving that cruise line's passengers.
Prepare for the interview in advance. You'll need additional copies of your resume and cover letter, photos, and letters of reference. You'll also want to bring a list of questions about the position. Demonstrate your interest in the position and the cruise line. Be prepared with your own list of answers as to why you feel you are qualified for the position you desire.
Shake hands upon introducing yourself and before you leave the interview. Dress as if you already are a cruise line employee. Copy what cruise employees wear; a tailored dress, suit, jacket or blazer and tie. Appear professional, personable and happy! Listen carefully to all questions asked of you. If you don't understand the question, ask for clarification.
Answer all questions thoughtfully and directly. Cruise lines are looking for employees who are client-centered. Emphasize your commitment to the passengers, to the line, and to your co-workers. "The passenger comes first," says Joyce Gleeson, Assistant Cruise Director.
