Go to www.spoke.com. Where it says "company", type in Princess Cruises, Holland America etc. You will be provided with current information on who's who, regarding the Corporate Management. Three other sites are www.linkedin.com, www.jigsaw.com, www.zoominfo.com. Register with all 4. Then use their search tools to find key pepole at the various cruise lines.
Create a ficticious name, ie John Cramer, whatever, and use it to make your first email enquiries. Use this same ficticious name while you creep around the internet looking for the key contact person for the job you are interested in. Only use your real name, once you have located the person who is the correct contact, and you are ready to make a great "first" impression.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Cruise Line Contacts
Someone wrote me recently and asked why I simply don't post the names and personal contact numbers of all my direct contacts at the various cruise lines. Well, imagine Chris at Carnival getting hundreds of unsolicited enquiries regarding employment - I would not be very popular with him anymore. He has better things to do than play gate keeper.
This blog is kind of like a game of charades - I will "lead" you to the opportunity process, but you must do the work. Only you, can represent you! Unfortunately, many people will always suck when it comes to job hunting - they just don't get it! Yes, cruise ship jobs are very rewarding - travel, finances, romances - whatever you seek it does indeed offer. But, I can tell by the emails I get, that many people have no hope in hell of ever getting a job onboard. So, I do not want to waste anyones precious time dealing with these people.
If you follow the clues and advice, you can figure it out pretty quickly as to where the opportunities are, and how to acccess them.
1) Hmmm, I want to work on a ship - what is it like? (www.crewbar.net, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2259651769,www.cvtips.com/live_work_cruise_liner, www.frugalfun.com/cruiseship)
2) What kind of jobs are available (look at each cruise lines website, read online descriptions)
3) Do I have any relevant experience for the job I want?
4) Draft a relevant, 3 short paragraph intro letter, and a 1 page resume with professional head shots - 1 head shot, 1 full length shot
**If you are serious about a ship job, pay someone who puts resumes together for a living, to ensure your's is perfectly matched to the job/industry.
5)STOP! Remember all jobs dealing with the public on ships are service jobs - you must have exceptional social skills, have lots of energy and stamina, you must be polite and courteous to passengers and fellow crew - this cannot be stressed enough.
6) Learn a little about the cruise industry. www.cruisecritic.com is the industry standard however, for up-to-date, unbiased cruise industry information, follow www.portsandbows.com - my favorite. I will add to these site recomendations on other postings.
Now, how to find out who to send your resume to - first, send it using the requested method of applying as per the cruiselines employment page. Then, start Googling (is this really a verb?) to find the name of the particular individual or department, and send it to them personally, as well.
NOTE: it is important to know who are sending it to - people in the cruiseline corporate offices are constantly changing jobs and positions. Knowing the correct anme and title of the individual, demonstrates that you have done your homework and are up-to-date on industry news.
Now, for example, if you want to apply for job with NCL, Norwegian Cruise Line, their Homepage is a no-brainer, just follow the links at www.ncl.com. I just did some Googling for about 30 minutes regarding onboard employment, and came up with their Miami based HR contact - her name is - Mina Yi. I found her email online and it is myi@ncl.com.
If you contact her, make sure your resume and presentation is as I have previously outlined... and pleeeeez, use Spellcheck!!! Do not waste your time with anything less than perfect or you will never hear back and your enquiry will be quickly deleted! Further digging, and I found out she travels alot recruiting, so obviously she may not get back to you right away.
In the Subject line, write the following ONLY:
Onboard Employment: Cruise Staff (or Musician, or whatever onboard job you are seeking) Check their website or call them, to know the correct title for the position onboard, for which you want to apply.
This blog is kind of like a game of charades - I will "lead" you to the opportunity process, but you must do the work. Only you, can represent you! Unfortunately, many people will always suck when it comes to job hunting - they just don't get it! Yes, cruise ship jobs are very rewarding - travel, finances, romances - whatever you seek it does indeed offer. But, I can tell by the emails I get, that many people have no hope in hell of ever getting a job onboard. So, I do not want to waste anyones precious time dealing with these people.
If you follow the clues and advice, you can figure it out pretty quickly as to where the opportunities are, and how to acccess them.
1) Hmmm, I want to work on a ship - what is it like? (www.crewbar.net, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2259651769,www.cvtips.com/live_work_cruise_liner, www.frugalfun.com/cruiseship)
2) What kind of jobs are available (look at each cruise lines website, read online descriptions)
3) Do I have any relevant experience for the job I want?
4) Draft a relevant, 3 short paragraph intro letter, and a 1 page resume with professional head shots - 1 head shot, 1 full length shot
**If you are serious about a ship job, pay someone who puts resumes together for a living, to ensure your's is perfectly matched to the job/industry.
5)STOP! Remember all jobs dealing with the public on ships are service jobs - you must have exceptional social skills, have lots of energy and stamina, you must be polite and courteous to passengers and fellow crew - this cannot be stressed enough.
6) Learn a little about the cruise industry. www.cruisecritic.com is the industry standard however, for up-to-date, unbiased cruise industry information, follow www.portsandbows.com - my favorite. I will add to these site recomendations on other postings.
Now, how to find out who to send your resume to - first, send it using the requested method of applying as per the cruiselines employment page. Then, start Googling (is this really a verb?) to find the name of the particular individual or department, and send it to them personally, as well.
NOTE: it is important to know who are sending it to - people in the cruiseline corporate offices are constantly changing jobs and positions. Knowing the correct anme and title of the individual, demonstrates that you have done your homework and are up-to-date on industry news.
Now, for example, if you want to apply for job with NCL, Norwegian Cruise Line, their Homepage is a no-brainer, just follow the links at www.ncl.com. I just did some Googling for about 30 minutes regarding onboard employment, and came up with their Miami based HR contact - her name is - Mina Yi. I found her email online and it is myi@ncl.com.
If you contact her, make sure your resume and presentation is as I have previously outlined... and pleeeeez, use Spellcheck!!! Do not waste your time with anything less than perfect or you will never hear back and your enquiry will be quickly deleted! Further digging, and I found out she travels alot recruiting, so obviously she may not get back to you right away.
In the Subject line, write the following ONLY:
Onboard Employment: Cruise Staff (or Musician, or whatever onboard job you are seeking) Check their website or call them, to know the correct title for the position onboard, for which you want to apply.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Always re-read the older posts first for valuable info
Give yourself some time to peruse the older posts. I provide random "How To" info that will assist you with your search. Understand each cruise line, their ship sizes, their customer profile and the types of jobs they offer. And yes, if your prefer, use the services of reputable marine recruiting agencies. Again, enquire as to how they are paid - never pay up front for a job guarantee. No one can offer such a promise - not event the cruiselines themselves.
Remember, this info is "How to" for me. So, tailor your approach to each cruise line and to each position you may be interested in. Make sure that you present yourself as a good candidate - in other words, make yourself irresistable to the cruise line. If you don't have direct relevant experience, hightlight your personality, your relevant hobbies, training and extracurricular activites and volunteer work - your availablitiy. Once you are onboard, then you can look around at what other positions may be of interest.
My suggestion for your resume: I used to go over the top. I've sent flowers, chocolates, catered lunches the works! I have even flown all the way down to their HR office to apply in person - it actually worked. Yes, at times, I tended to go little overboard. (pardon the pun)
Resume: (So, make it RELEVANT to the position you are applying for)
* 2 page max, standard resume format WITH references - be honest as they will check
* You only need to go back 5 years
* 2, 8 x 10 color of black /white photos - one head shot; one full length shot
* Any relevent training certificates or awards you have received
* List relevant hobbies and extracurricular activities
** If they want more info, they will request it.
Good Cruise Line employee profile:
Outgoing and social - controlled extravert, mild tempererd, adapts easy to ever changing surroundings - can go with the flow, makes friends easy, takes direction and criticism well, always positive, considerate of others and tolerant of different nationalties and follows rules! Shipboard employment is very hierarchical, so it's important so you must respect the chain of command.
Remember, this info is "How to" for me. So, tailor your approach to each cruise line and to each position you may be interested in. Make sure that you present yourself as a good candidate - in other words, make yourself irresistable to the cruise line. If you don't have direct relevant experience, hightlight your personality, your relevant hobbies, training and extracurricular activites and volunteer work - your availablitiy. Once you are onboard, then you can look around at what other positions may be of interest.
My suggestion for your resume: I used to go over the top. I've sent flowers, chocolates, catered lunches the works! I have even flown all the way down to their HR office to apply in person - it actually worked. Yes, at times, I tended to go little overboard. (pardon the pun)
Resume: (So, make it RELEVANT to the position you are applying for)
* 2 page max, standard resume format WITH references - be honest as they will check
* You only need to go back 5 years
* 2, 8 x 10 color of black /white photos - one head shot; one full length shot
* Any relevent training certificates or awards you have received
* List relevant hobbies and extracurricular activities
** If they want more info, they will request it.
Good Cruise Line employee profile:
Outgoing and social - controlled extravert, mild tempererd, adapts easy to ever changing surroundings - can go with the flow, makes friends easy, takes direction and criticism well, always positive, considerate of others and tolerant of different nationalties and follows rules! Shipboard employment is very hierarchical, so it's important so you must respect the chain of command.
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