Interview Tips - Venture Yacht Crew

HOW DO YACHTING INTERVIEWS WORK?

The superyacht industry commonly conducts remote interviews as a common practice. However, some candidates may not have experienced this before or have never considered how to present themselves effectively in a remote setting.

We have written this guide to point you in the correct direction and help you avoid some common mistakes we often see.

Research the software used. Generally, interviews will be video interviews conducted via Teams, Google Meet, or WhatsApp. Ensure you have a basic knowledge of these platforms. If you don’t, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials to have a quick look at. Please note: these may be recorded for future reference by the interviewer.
Charge or plug in your device, interviews can sometimes last over an hour.
Ensure you have a good signal or WI-FI connection.
DO NOT use odd usernames or emails.
Rememeber, this is still a professional employment interview. Dress smartly, be well-groomed and make sure you are in a quiet, presentable area.
Make sure the lighting is good and that you have checked the video, microphone, and speaker functions work correctly – use headphones if needed.
Focus on the interview, avoiding distractions from sounds outside or inside of your location. If you find yourself in a situation where you have other people around such as a crew house, you can always advise the interviewer just in case there is a disturbance.
Try to relax, if you are not clear on something or the connection drops just let your interviewer know so they can repeat the question.

THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW - BEFORE THE CALL
- 1. Find somewhere with a good signal or WIFI that is quiet and comfortable
  2. Make sure you look presentable, wearing appropriate work clothes – a polo shirt or blouse is what most people wear, take pride in your appearance as this will be the interviewer’s first impression of you
  3. Make sure you have your interviewer's number to hand if anything doesn’t work you can contact them
  4. Do a little research on the vessel, a simple Google search can reveal a lot about some boats
  5. Think about what you will say and if needed write down some key points on a notepad.
DURING THE INTERVIEW
- - Communication is key. Maintain eye contact (frequently looking away from the screen constantly may come across as if you are not interested), while speaking clearly and confidently.
  - Take a moment to understand the question and answer thoughtfully. Do not answer before the question is finished.
  You will likely be asked some of the following general questions:
  - What do you consider are your strengths and weaknesses?
  - What will your experience bring to the vessel?
  - Why did you choose yachting as your career?
  - Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
GENERAL SKILLS RELATING TO YOUR ROLE
- Roles on a yacht vary greatly. As such it is common practice to be asked role-specific questions, which can differ significantly from vessel to vessel. Take the time to offer a thoughtful and considered response to any of these questions.
  
  Know the answers to these questions:
  - When does your STCW expire?
  - Do you have any COC or qualification renewals due?
  - Do you have a current ENG1, and when does it expire?
  - When are you available?
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW
- - Ask the interviewer any questions you have, including what the next steps will be, and if they require anything from you.
  - If, during the interview you were asked to send over any qualifications, certificates, or other documents be sure to send these immediately after the interview so you don’t forget.