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Working on the open sea, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, building valuable connections, and developing a high level of discipline and professionalism over time are just some of the benefits of the yachting sector. The greatest advantage? The yachting industry encourages growth and helps you develop your skills.
Read below the 5-stage process for getting your first job in the yachting industry.
Stage 1 - Informing and educating about the yachting industry
The first step in any job is learning. It’s important to understand the basic terms related to the sailing, parts of the yacht, potential challenges, and how to handle them. This is the foundation without which is difficult to perform the job well. Of course, this is an ongoing process. Beginners are not expected to know every detail, but to have a basic understanding to perform tasks more easily and efficiently.
There are many ways to learn about the yachting industry:
- Read magazines or books on sailing and maritime safety, as well as topics related to the jobs available on yachts that interest you the most. Popular books to introduce you to the yachting world are Working on Yachts and Superyachts by Jennifer Errico for job-hunting tips, Becoming a Superyacht Stewardess by Julie Perry for onboard hospitality, and The Superyacht Industry Book by Marcela de Kern Royer for insights into yacht roles and operations.
- Find companies that specialize in yachting management and explore the content from which you can learn the latest updates; research their blog posts and profiles on social media. Some Instagram profiles that will surely impress you and offer first-hand experiences are: @yachtieworld, @denisonyachtcrew, and @superyachtcrewagency.
- Engage in online forums and groups on social media where people with similar ambitions gather and try to make connections with those who already have experience.
- Find seminars or workshops where you can gain additional knowledge and get a better insight into the industry. If you have no experience but want to get a junior deckhand or junior stewardess job, seminars where you can get more information, are Yachtiecareers Online Seminars. If you might need both beginner information and courses ranging from beginner to advanced there are Bluewater Yachting Seminars.
- Search for events related to nautical tourism happening near you and try to attend some of them to gain a better insight into the industry. It’s also a great opportunity to meet potential employers.
Stage 2 - Researching available courses or internships for specific professions
Croatia Yachting Office
Learning theory is the foundation without which quality work is not possible, but to see how well we have mastered the theory, it’s necessary to find a way to test our existing knowledge in practice. The ideal way to do this is through courses or internships based on hands-on work. In the yachting industry, every yacht job is specific and requires special skills – to develop these skills, we must become familiar with them.
There are many ways to find internships or courses in the yachting industry:
- Search for sailing schools offering specialized crew training and compare their programs to choose the one that best suits your desired position. Some sailing schools, in addition to offering sailing courses, also provide training for junior deckhand and junior stewardess positions, which are the most sought-after entry-level positions in the yachting industry.
- Visit nautical fairs and connect with the human resources departments of yachting companies to see if they offer internships and training for the position you want to pursue.
- Contact specialized agencies that recruit crew members for yachting companies to get information about available opportunities.
- In addition to the above, you can always send an open application for an internship to your desired yachting company or apply directly for advertised positions - even without experience, your knowledge gained through education will certainly be noticed and rewarded.
Stage 3 - Gathering practical experience
Once you complete the training for the position you want and find an opportunity to work on a yacht, you will have already taken a significant step toward your future career. Hands-on experience will break any misconceptions and fears you have about working on a vessel and teach you how to make the best use of your potential.
Croatia Yachting Crew
Wondering how to learn quickly as a beginner in the yacht industry? Here are some tips:
- Follow the pieces of advice of your superiors and observe your colleagues to learn from their experiences and avoid potential mistakes.
- If you make a mistake, see it as a great learning opportunity and aim to complete tasks more efficiently next time.
- Always ask questions if something is unclear. Superiors are there to guide you through the details of the job, using their experience and knowledge.
- Learn as much as you can about the roles of other crew members to understand what you want in the future.
Stage 4 - Building connections with people in the industry and filling out a resume
Professional sailor/ Freepik
Yachts bring together professionals from diverse backgrounds, offering endless opportunities to learn from their experiences. If we aim for better opportunities and greater possibilities, it’s advisable to connect with as many colleagues on the yacht as possible and understand their roles. As you gain more experience and knowledge working on a yacht, you'll be able to apply for more advanced positions that involve greater responsibilities and higher pay.
Key experiences in the yachting industry include:
- Specific experiences relevant to the position you hold, whether you're working as a stewardess, engineer, captain, officer, deckhand or a specialist in a particular field.
- Experience in communication with people, strong teamwork skills, appropriate responses to unexpected situations in client relations, and overall adaptability.
- Basic knowledge of vessel operations – understanding operational functions and safety protocols to respond more quickly and effectively in certain situations.
- Experience working in different locations, with people of various nationalities, cultures, and lifestyles.
Stage 5 - Learning from experiences and striving to be professional in the work you do
Team Croatia Yachting
Gaining experience is a crucial step that opens doors to well-paid positions, not only in the yachting industry but in any industry. The experience gained must be relevant to the desired position, help you stand out from the competition, and bring added value to the employer – in this case, the yachting company.
If you're wondering how to stand out at work, here are some tips:
- Be more curious and make an effort to learn more than your colleagues.
- If you notice difficulties in the workflow, suggest ways to achieve greater efficiency.
- If you see that your superiors or colleagues need help, offer assistance if you're able to.
- Invest in your development and education to become more professional and progress more easily.
Are you interested in yachting jobs on the Croatian coast and want to know more about the options?
Croatia is one of the most desirable tourist destinations in Europe, attracting more visitors from various parts of the world each year. As a result, nautical tourism is becoming increasingly popular and the demand for the workforce is growing year after year. Working at sea, meeting new people and constant progress are just a few of the benefits of working in the maritime industry. If you're interested and would like to explore the available yacht crew jobs or other positions in our company, feel free to visit our careers page and find a job that suits your preferences. If there are no current openings that match your profile, we encourage you to regularly check our page and stay updated on new job postings.