Get Expert Advice From Real Insiders

Sample Interview Below - Dozens More for CruiseJobFinder Members!

The CruiseJobFinder staff has one goal: to help our members find job opportunities and successfully navigate the application process. Our staff regularly communicates with industry staffing experts who recruit and hire for cruise jobs, yacht crewing, resort and spa jobs, and tour guide jobs - and passes along their tips and advice to you.

Through these Q&A interviews you'll gain valuable information, including:

  • How to apply
  • What hiring managers are looking for
  • Interviewing tips
  • How to utilize staffing agencies and concessionaires
  • and much more!

How to Become a CruiseJobFinder Member...

Here's one interview example:

CruiseJobFinder interviewed a Recruitment Officer for an official cruise line concessionaire. This company provides staff for several leading cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney, Costa, Cunard, and several others. They work specifically to recruit what are known as Port and Shopping Presenters.

What types of jobs do you recruit for? Is there a particular department or role?

The only position we hire for is the "Shopping Presenter" onboard cruise ships. It's a sales position based on public speaking.

Are some types of jobs more difficult to fill than others? If yes, then why?

Yes, this particular position needs a very specific candidate. We need several skills in one person and adding to that flexible to enough to work onboard for at least 6 months.

Do you charge a fee to job seekers?

No, but there are fees involved in getting their visas and other documentation as well as the money it costs getting them to the ship for embarkation day. We cover the costs of accommodation and meals during the training period, but candidates are required to get themselves to and from Fort Lauderdale for the training.

What services do you offer the people who apply through your company? Do you give them training, do you secure new contracts after they have completed their first cruise?

Once we have determined we are interested in a particular candidate, we put together a small training class for those candidates who are pre-selected. This is comprehensive and might include a ship visit. We assess our candidates with written examinations, live presentations, and general interaction with the office staff and other trainees.

Describe your perfect candidate. How can someone best make a great first impression with you and your agency?

We look for people with expert sales skills, with bubbly personalities. We want people who can excited and motivate others to shop, who are confident, and who look the part.

What advice can you offer about resumes / CVs? What are the qualities of a great CV? And what are the most common mistakes you see in CVs?

Candidates do not elaborate enough about what they have done in that particular position, which in some cases could mean a particular skill we might be looking for. Also, some do not display dates on previous employment which is also very important for most employers. With our agency, you not only need a great CV, but you also need to send through an audition tape, so that we can see your presentation skills.

Your audition tape needs to be informative and well planned, entertaining and show us exactly how you will sell products to clients on the cruise ships.

Are there any common traits people should have in order to get hired, and then to succeed in the cruise industry?

You need to be:

  • Self Motivated
  • Confident
  • Energetic
  • Independent
  • Creative
  • Well spoken with excellent English language skills
  • Outgoing
  • Sales Orientated
  • Approachable
  • Personable
  • Organized

What are the best pieces of advice you would give someone who's starting to look for their first job on a cruise ship?

Make sure to read through the website thoroughly and research about the position as much as you can. Understand the position fully before applying as you will need to make sure you can take a job as such and also have the skills to perform it well for the duration of your contract.

What are the typical terms of employment offered?

You will normally be on 4-8 month contracts, and work about 40 hours a week, where you will need to work day and evening hours.

Interviewing Advice

What advice would you give people to help them prepare for interviews with your company and with cruise lines?

Well, seeing as though our main interview is our pre-selection training days, we advise that you make sure you are on game and ready to impress. Practice your sales and presentation skills to be calm, confident, and persuasive.

What is the interview and selection process like for your positions?

Candidates must submit application material first, which consists of both a video audition tape and a resume. We then evaluate the candidate based on their related experience along with the material we have received. We look for skills and we look for personality. If we think you could be a potentially good candidate we invite you to a Skype interview. If after the interview we determine you are a good candidate and we are interested, we invite you to the next training class.

How long does it take from the time someone contacts your organization to getting a job?

The evaluation and interview process could take 1 to 2 weeks. Training classes take place once every 2 months. Unless a position is available for immediate assignment then it could take 1 to 2 weeks for the entire process as training will be a one on one session before the applicant is sent to the ship.

Can you describe the job placement process? After you have interviewed someone, and found that he or she is a good candidate, how do they become employed by a cruise line and how long does this take?

Once we have selected you for the job, you will need to go through the training and get your visas and other documentation in order. You will also need to shadow the presenter on a cruise ship for 1 or 2 cruises so you can get the hang of the job and learn all about what the job entails, as well as get used to the life at sea.

Does your company provide any pre-hire training? If yes, can you describe what it entails?

The training takes place over 3 days in Fort Lauderdale where our head office is based and will cover everything you need to know about being a Port and Shopping Presenter. The new recruits will learn different sales techniques, info about all the products sold including jewelry, art, and more, get an overview of the paperwork and how to document everything, and the protocols that need to be followed. You need to perform and show us that you are what we are looking for. If the training is passed, then you are hired.

What are some common misperceptions people have about working on cruise ships?

People think that it's like vacationing. Not true. Cruise life and working on a ship is very tough. There are no days off until contract is completed. Specifically in the position we hire for, it is commission based work. The Presenter must perform daily and work hard in order to deliver results expected and to be successful.

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