How One Company Manages the Staff of Several Ships

Salen Ship Management manages a small fleet of cruise ships - specifically, they hire and recruit dozens of shipboard staff from all over the world. Their job search advice is invaluable!

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Interview Excerpt

Please describe what your company does. What is your role in the staffing process?

We manage small cruise ships and cruise excursions for our ships which are on a long term charter to Noble Caledonia. We run the hospitality management and technical management departments, and our aim is to get the best crew for our ships that will meet the high expectations of our guests. We have contracted out the hospitality department to a separate company. I help with the hiring of the deck and engine department crew.

What are some of the common job titles you advertise for?

Deckhands and engineers.

Do you only hire people from the immediate area?

We hire from all over the world, and we have appointed a crewing agency in the Philippines to assist with hires from those surrounding areas.

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

The perfect candidate is motivated, competent, hard working, and ready for anything. We want to see that you are interested in the work and love being at sea.

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

You must be a motivated individual. This will bring you success in any industry no doubt. For the cruise industry the common traits are to be positive, energetic, friendly, and personable.

Interviewing Advice

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

[Answer is in the Membership Area]

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

People think it is a holiday, and many also believe that they will not be working that much. Far from the truth. For the duration of any cruise you will be working your hardest and putting on your best behavior at the same time.

What type of person gravitates towards these jobs / to companies like yours?

We hope to attract people who are serious about the work and who want to make a career out of cruising.

Other tips and advice given in this exclusive interview:

• Job interviewing advice
• How to prepare a solid CV
• Hiring process overview
• And a lot more...

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