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How to write a yacht CV in 2023 [with tips, instructions, and examples]

Whether you want to work as a deckhand on a small private vessel or join the large service staff of a superyacht, it’s important to learn how to write a yacht CV.

Working on a yacht can be a fulfilling career. It is a great way to experience the sea, visit different places, meet important people, and have unique experiences. It is also, however, a difficult career. The employee quarters on a yacht typically have little privacy, the days can be long, and the work can be difficult. Further, when you are working on a yacht, you are at sea. You can’t go home until the voyage is over, which could be weeks or even months.

This means that your yacht CV needs to show that not only are you skilled, you have the personality and constitution for working on a yacht.

But if you, like Moby Dick’s Ishmael, find yourself with little or no money in your purse, and nothing particular to interest you on shore, it may be time to write a great yacht CV and see the watery part of the world.

This article will explore all aspects of writing a yacht CV, including:

• What is a yacht CV?
• Yacht CV requirements

Yacht CV certifications

• Yacht CV qualifications
• How to write a yacht CV

A yacht CV is a document describing your yachting skills and experience that you submit to employers as a part of a job application. It will contain details like personal information, work experience, education, and skills.

The yacht experience can vary greatly. Some yachts may have only a single captain on board and a handful of passengers. Others, such as enormous superyachts, may have a large dedicated staff and crew. Yacht jobs can include captain, crew, bosun, mate, deckhand, dock worker, marina worker, chef, sous chef, stewardess, engineer, and more.

The exact details of your yacht CV will depend on your specific career. There are several different paths that might take you to a yacht, and it’s important that your CV has the right details for your specific goals.

• Yacht CV Requirements

If you want to become a yacht employee, sometimes called a “yachtie”, your yacht CV will need to show that you have all the certifications and accreditations for the position you are applying for.

The specific requirements of a yacht CV may depend on what country the yacht company is based in and what countries it will travel to. Because most yacht jobs will require sailing to and from different countries, you will have to be conscious of where the particular yacht job is based and what the hiring requirements are.

Further, the specific qualifications, certifications, and skills that you need will depend on what specific yacht role you are applying for.

If you are looking to work in the kitchen of a yacht, for example, or as wait staff, you will want to list your food safety certifications, your culinary education, and your experience serving.

If you are looking to work as a member of the deck crew, you will need appropriate safety certifications.

Will you be working as a tour guide? Will you have to use the helm, or do any navigation? Will you be dealing directly with customers, clients, or passengers? If so, make sure your yacht CV reflects this.

Yacht CV Certifications

Certain certifications are required to become a yachtie. When you apply for a yacht job, you must ensure that you have the right certifications for your role.

Anyone who works on a commercial ship will need a Standard for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certification.

Also required is an ENG1 Medical or equivalent, which is a certificate confirming that you are medically able to work on a yacht and at sea.

Other certifications, while not strictly mandatory, can improve your CV, such as deckhand training courses and boating certifications like Power Boat 2.

If you are applying for a role in the kitchen or in a hospitality role, you can also look for stewardess training courses, food safety and hygiene certifications, hospitality courses, silver service courses, and more.

It’s important to think carefully about exactly what type of career you are pursuing and what certifications can help you.

Once you have the certifications you need, you can get to work writing your yacht CV. Yacht CV sections include:

Yacht CV personal information

At the beginning of your CV, make sure to add your personal information.

This should begin with your contact details. In your contact information section, include your:

• Email address
• Phone Number
• City of residence

In the USA and Canada, you are not expected to include a picture with your yacht CV. In most European countries, however, a picture will be expected, especially if your position will be guest-facing. Make sure to study the CV requirements of your specific country when preparing your CV. If you provide a picture, make sure it is professional and appropriate.

Some yacht companies also require you to state whether you are a smoker, and whether you have tattoos. You can include this alongside your contact information, or in a separate Personal Details section.

Yacht CV summary

At the top of your CV, begin with a brief professional summary. A summary is a short section, usually only a few sentences or bullet points, that briefly describes you and your experience. It should have a few key highlights, either of key skills that make you a great candidate, or some important achievements from other roles that show what you can do.

A great summary can be what convinces a hiring manager to read the rest of the CV.

Yacht CV work experience

Your Work Experience section is the most important part of your CV. It is the longest section, and the section containing the most detail.

In a Work Experience section, list previous positions in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent job and working backwards. In each role, provide a job description that details your responsibilities and achievements in that position.

For each entry, include:

• Company name
• Dates worked
• Job description

If you have experience working on a yacht, you should emphasize your yacht positions, providing them with more detail than you do to other positions. Work Experience entries for yacht jobs can also be formatted differently. For yacht positions, list the name of the vessel, its size, and whether the yacht was private or charter.

For example:

Deep Blue | 103’ | Private Stewardess June 2021 - August 2022

This gives yacht employers a clear idea of what kind of yacht experience you have.

When writing your job descriptions for each role, try to focus on concrete examples of your experience, including achievements and accomplishments. Describing only your basic duties makes for a boring CV.

To come up with achievements, try to brainstorm concrete successes that you contributed to. It can help to consider quantifiable aspects of your job. If you can provide verifiable numbers, your experience will seem more credible and more impressive. For a yacht CV, measurable aspects of previous positions could include the size of the vessel, the length of the voyage, the number of passengers or rooms, event attendance, provisioning budgets, and more.

Further, be sure to use active language as much as possible when describing past experience. Action words make your work experience seem more dynamic, and make you sound like an independent worker who takes initiative and gets the job done. Action words like organized , managed , hosted , spearheaded , and navigated all indicate an employee that employers would be happy to hire.

Yacht CV education

The importance of your education will depend on your specific role. If you are applying to work as a server or deckhand, a post-secondary degree won’t be necessary (as long as you have the right certifications). If you are applying as an engineer, however, you will need to show that you have the right academic credentials.

In your Education section, list your degrees in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your most recent degree and working backwards. For each entry, include the:

• Degree name
• School name
• Date of graduation

Generally, a description isn’t needed in an Education entry. If there are particular aspects of your education that you would like to highlight, however, such as GPA, specializations, or a key project, they can be included.

Certain certifications are integral to your yacht CV. If you want to work on a yacht, or any commercial vessel, you will need to show that you have the right safety training and health certification.

This usually means that you need to list your STCW certification and ENG 1 Medical certification. You may also want to include your Power Boat 2 certification. First aid certifications can also be an asset.

However, those certifications may not be enough. Be sure to study the job posting and research the position as much as possible so you know exactly what certifications will be required.

Yacht CV skills

A Skills section is a section of your CV where you list your most important and most relevant competencies. This can include soft skills , like communication and people skills, and hard skills , like electrical engineering or navigation.

A Skills section, while not strictly mandatory, is a great way to make your yacht CV more impressive. Listing all your skills in one place makes it easy for employers to quickly glance at your CV and see exactly what your expertise is.

The easiest way to format your skill section is to simply list your skills in a bulleted list. Sort the list so that your most relevant skills are at the top.

If you would like to draw more attention to your skills, you can make each skill or skill area a heading, and provide a more detailed description of the skill below. With VisualCV, you can even add strength ratings to each skill. This method works great for skills-based CVs .

Yacht CV skills can include:

• Customer Service
• Maintenance
• Firefighting

Yacht CV interests

When you work on a yacht, you will be sharing cramped quarters with all of your coworkers, with very little privacy and no time to yourself. For this reason, it’s important to make sure you are a good culture fit for the vessel. While not mandatory, it can be a good idea to include a brief selection of your interests and hobbies in your yacht CV so the employer can see if you will fit in with the rest of the crew.

• Customize your Yacht CV

Even if you are only applying for yacht jobs, it’s important to customize your yacht CV for every application. Different job postings will have specific requirements and specific skills they are looking for, so it’s important to make sure your CV is a perfect fit. A generic CV won’t be perfect for every application.

To do this, study the application closely, and research the company and vessel to learn as much about it as you can. Then, use what you have learned to carefully customize your CV so that the right skills, experience, and personality are emphasized. Remain truthful, but edit your experience so that it matches the job description as closely as possible.

• Yacht CV example

A dedicated and enthusiastic steward with extensive experience working on yachts and superyachts. Capable of achieving the most demanding targets and objectives whilst remaining focused on delivering a high standard of service at all times. Naturally strong interpersonal skills give me the ability to communicate concisely and articulately with crew and guests. I enjoy being a part of a successful and productive team and have the ability to shine in high pressure environments. I am certified in first aid, ship safety, and health standards.

Work Experience

Steward Deep Blue | 103’ | Private

• Hosted cocktail parties of 100+ guests.
• Managed galley to ensure organization of food and service.
• Led galley training for new hires, including plating and presenting meals.
• Delivered a 5-star service to our guests.
• Provided care for passengers who require special assistance.
• Organized meal service, including serving hors d'oeuvres, drink service, and bartending.
• Received multiple commendations for customer service and communication.
• Ensured the highest level of safety by inspecting safety equipment, making safety announcements, and demonstrating safety procedures.
• Provided excellent VIP enhanced service to important guests on board.
• Gave tours and passed appetizers.

Senior Steward Demeter | 100' | Charter

• Organized interior stewardess duties.
• Made sure the company's SOPs were followed and respected on every voyage.
• Managed catering orders when sailing as a single operator.
• Organized VIP catering on the vessel, meeting preferences of guests.
• Assisted cooking crew and chef in galley when needed
• Organized food provisioning for crew and guests.
• Provided excellent VVIP enhanced service to important guests on board.
• Ensured safety and wellbeing of VIP guests during voyages to various destinations.
• Conducted safety demonstrations prior to voyages and carried out checks throughout the vessel.
• Laundry, cabin service, interior detailing.

Steward Ranger | 60' | Private

• Made beds, including turn downs and fluff ups.
• Led laundry and ironing services for guests and crew.
• Cleaned and maintained heads.
• Prepared yacht for 3 boat shows and multiple cocktail parties with 50+ guests.
• Verified passengers' compliance with safety regulations throughout all stages of voyage.
• Assisted exterior crew support when needed.
• Rostered on various short and long haul routes.

Master in Tourism & Hospitality Management University of Texas

• Provisioning
• Drink service
• Meal service
• Galley management
• Safety demonstrations
• Scuba Diving
• Learning Languages

Certifications

• ENG 1 Medical

Community Success Manager & CV Writing Expert

Ben is a writer, customer success manager and CV writing expert with over 5 years of experience helping job-seekers create their best careers. He believes in the importance of a great resume summary and the power of coffee.

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The CV templates you can find below are editable Microsoft Word documents that you can fill in with your personal details. Once completed, save the document as a PDF and upload it to your YPI CREW profile .

Below you will also find examples of filled out CVs to help you get an idea of what the final version should look like. If you need additional tips on how to write your CV, have a look at our guide on ‘ How to write a memorable yachting CV ’.

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Remember that looks are not important, what matters is the photo should capture a glimpse of your character. A smiley photo with a nice light, wearing a plain white polo or collared shirt (for chef's whites or blacks for chefs), no cap, no sunglasses, neat and tidy. No selfies. If possible try to take a picture outdoors, with yachts in background but this is not mandatory.

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Tips on How To Write a Good CV for Yachting: A Guide

• April 10, 2023

A well-crafted yachting CV is essential for anyone seeking employment in the luxury yacht industry. This document serves as a professional resume and provides a detailed overview of your skills, experience, and qualifications. A successful yachting CV should be concise, well-organized, and tailored to the specific job you are applying for. In this guide, we will provide you with tips and insights on how to create a compelling yachting CV that will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of landing your dream job. Whether you are a seasoned yacht crew member or a newcomer to the industry, this guide will equip you with the tools you need to create a winning yachting CV.

1 – Include Your Primary Information

Your yachting CV should begin with your primary information, including your full name, contact information, and nationality. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date and includes your email address and phone number. Additionally, it is helpful to include your current location and availability.

2 – Highlight Your Qualifications

Next, highlight your qualifications and certifications related to the yachting industry. This can include your STCW certification, ENG1 medical certificate, and any other relevant qualifications such as diving or firefighting certificates. Make sure to include the expiration dates of these certifications.

3 – Detail Your Yachting Experience

Provide a detailed overview of your yachting experience, including the types of vessels you have worked on, the positions you have held, and the duration of your employment. Be sure to highlight any areas of expertise or specialized skills you have developed, such as navigation or engineering.

4 – Emphasize Your Soft Skills

In addition to your technical skills, it is important to emphasize your soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and customer service. These are essential qualities for anyone working in the yachting industry, and highlighting them can set you apart from other candidates.

5 – Customize Your CV for Each Job Application

Customize your yachting CV for each job application. Tailor your CV to the specific position you are applying for and highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to that role. This shows that you have taken the time to research the job and are genuinely interested in the position.

6 – Talk About Your Hobbies

Including your hobbies in your yachting CV can give insight into your personality and interests. This can be particularly important in the yachting industry, where crew members often work closely together in close quarters. If your hobbies include activities such as sailing, scuba diving, or other water sports, be sure to highlight these as they can be particularly relevant to the job. Additionally, any hobbies that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, or a commitment to service can also be beneficial to include.

7 – Include References

Always include references in your yachting CV. This shows potential employers that you have a strong network of people who can vouch for your skills and experience. Ideally, your references should be people who have worked with you in the yachting industry and can speak to your performance on the job. Be sure to ask your references for permission before including their contact information in your CV, and provide their name, position, and contact information in a separate section of the document.

In short, a well-crafted yachting CV can make all the difference in your job search. By following these tips and highlighting your qualifications, experience, and soft skills, you can create a compelling document that will help you stand out in a competitive job market. Good luck!

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How to Write the Perfect Yacht CV [With Template]

If you’re looking to craft the perfect yacht CV, you’ve come to the right place. As the Chief Stewardess onboard a 50m Super Yacht, I’ve been assisting Captains with hiring crew and gathering yacht crew CVs for 8 years.

With my experience, I am familiar with the type of yachting CVs that Captains prefer to see. It is crucial to make a great first impression to ensure that your yacht resume is given proper consideration.

In this article, I break down the essential do’s and don’ts of a Yacht CV.

Scroll down to the end of this article to find a basic Yacht CV Template to help get you started. And yes, it’s free!

You can use this template and edit it accordingly to create your own Yacht Captain CV, Deckhand CV, Yacht Stew CV, as well as an Engineer or Chef Resume. All that’s left is for you to email it to recruiters or hand out physical copies when dock walking.

Table of Contents

What is a CV in Yachting?

There are a few distinct differences between a regular CV and a CV in yachting.

• The main one is that you need to include a photo of yourself! If you do not include a photo, it is likely your yacht CV will be tossed in the bin
• Unlike other CV’s, you also need to include your date of birth
• You will be highlighting your skills and attributes specific to the job you are applying for. It is a great idea to make these edits to highlight what you have to offer
• As you travel to seek work, you will need to edit your location and availability

Layout of a Yacht CV

When a Captain has 20 to 50 yachting resumes on his desk, there is a general easy-to-read layout that they prefer to see.

• It is very important to keep your CV to 2 pages
• Use a simple, easy-to-read font
• If you want to be creative with your colors, go for it. Just make sure the Captain can easily read the font
• Keep your layout clear and simple, making sure to include all of the required information listed in this article
• There are numerous Yacht CV examples online for you to decide your preference. A great tool to use is Canva .

Your Photo for a Yachting CV

You may not be a Yachtie yet, but you need to act the part and look like one. Follow these guidelines for the perfect photo:

• SMILE! You want to look like someone the crew would enjoy having onboard
• Dress in something smart/appropriate, and sell yourself as the professional yacht crew member you want to be seen as. Ideally, a polo so you look like a Yachtie
• Take the photo from about the mid-waistline up
• Stand by a natural background of either a marina, the ocean, or some greenery
• Do not take a selfie! Have someone take this photo for you

Profile/Objective

This is a short paragraph highlighting the position you are looking for and any attributes and skills that make you a good fit for the job. Be very specific about what you write here, and be sure to include attributes that are beneficial to the job you are applying for!

This is the moment the Captain will decide if they continue to read the rest of your Yacht CV or not.

Personal Information to Add to your Yachting CV

Most yachts have very specific requirements when hiring crew, so do not leave out any of the below points:

• Nationality
• Visa’s held
• Tattoo (visible or not)
• Health Status & Smoker (Y/N)
• Languages spoken
• Drivers License
• Email & phone number
• Availability and current location

Yachting Experience

Here, you need to list all of the Yacht Jobs you have held. Be sure to include:

• The name and size of the Yacht
• The dates you were onboard
• The position you held
• Your basic roles, responsibilities, and duties while onboard
• If you have the space, you can include the locations where the vessel cruised

Some of you may not have any maritime experience, and that is ok. If you have done any day work, be sure to include that here and highlight your duties and the dates you were onboard.

Other Non-Yachting Experience

Here, you want to include any experience prior to yachting, even if it is not yachting-related.

Captains like to see any jobs/positions you have held in the past, as skills are always transferable. This gives some insight into what you have been doing leading up to the point of finding a job in yachting.

Qualifications to Include on your Yacht CV

List all qualifications you have relevant to yachting in your Yacht resume.

Remember that yachts like to see add-on skills, so things such as Scuba Diving Instructor, Yoga Instructor, Masseuse, and any other certifications you hold should be included.

Here, you just want to include your highest level of education and when you graduated.

Other Interests/About me/Hobbies

This section of your Yacht CV is your chance to list out a few additional standout qualities, attributes, or hobbies. This gives a bit of insight into who you are as a person and what you enjoy doing in your spare time.

This is very important, as anyone can write anything on a piece of paper, but a reference speaks volumes.

Even if the position you held was not maritime-related, a reference is also a good indication of your character and work ethic in any position you have held in the past.

You really want to get written references wherever possible.

How to Make sure your CV doesn’t get Trashed

• Take the time to write up a good Yacht CV. I can’t tell you how often I haven’t read further than the first line because of a sloppy, disorganized Yacht resume.
• SPELL CHECK! In an industry where you have to be meticulous in everything that you do, spelling and grammatical issues in your Yacht CV are not a good start.
• When you save and email your Yacht CV, be sure to have it saved in a Word and PDF format.
• When you are responding to a job posting, write a short and clear email to the person who put up the post and highlight why you are a good fit for the position and why you want to become a yachtie .

How to Introduce Yourself in an Email

Dear Captain/To Whom it may concern

Please find attached my resume and references in my application for the position of “Deckhand on a 50m Superyacht”. Although I am new to the industry, I believe I would be an asset to your team as I am motivated and driven to succeed in the yachting industry. I am also an avid wakeboarder and love being on the ocean, so I believe I will adapt well and learn quickly. I am not afraid of hard work, and I look forward to having the opportunity to speak with you further.

Thank you for taking the time to view my application.

Kind regards

Downloadable Yacht CV Template

Use this Yacht CV link to download a basic yachting resume, fill in your personal information, and get ready to land your dream job!

Now that you have crafted the perfect Yacht CV, it is time to land your dream job. For those of you wanting to know how to become a yacht deckhand , read here for more information.

For those of you looking to find out how to become a yacht stewardess, read this insider’s guide!

Hi, my name is Lisa, a Chief Stewardess in the yachting industry with 10 years of experience, as well as 8 years of hospitality experience prior to that. Being in the yachting industry has been a whirlwind of adventure, growth, challenges and some of the best experiences of my life, and I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you.

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How to write a CV for a yacht job

Here at Viking Crew, we have all you need to know how to write a CV for a yacht job. When writing a CV in preparation for the yachting industry, whether you are an entry-level crew member or a senior Officer, it isn’t always a walk in the park.  Your CV is an important tool for agencies, senior crew, management companies and even Owners when considering you for potential vacancies.

Your CV is your chance for you to sell yourself on first impression, so ensure it does. Yachting is about attention to detail, so ensure that your CV is a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, experience and attributes.

You should target your CV towards the job you are applying for, giving the reader a clear understanding of the position that you really want, you do not want to look undecided. Ensure that all grammar and spelling is checked prior to submission.

It is important that you express your experience in an easy to follow format that is well presented, you do not want to confuse anybody. Flashy colour schemes, crazy fonts and numerous yacht photographs can detract from what is vital information for the reader.

Ideally keep the CV to two pages and when sending to an agency a word or PDF file are usually preferred.

What to include:

Photograph- This should be of good quality and kept professional, whilst keeping a friendly demeanour. A clear head and shoulders shot is fine, ideally wearing a polo shirt.  You will need to look presentable and well groomed.

Personal Details:

This should include: • Full name • Nationality & other passport details. • Contact details: Phone number and a professional email address. • Date of birth • Marital Status • Any Visas held • Smoker Status/Declare any visible tattoos (visible in Polo Shirt and Shorts) • Medical Certificate.

• This should include a brief summary of your career goals and special skills, a few sentences are enough.

Qualifications:

This should include: • All relevant school, maritime college or universities attended, along with dates • All relevant shore-based certificates • All seagoing certification

Experience:

We recommend keeping this short and concise but making sure all aspects are covered. • Present your work history in chronological order (most recent employment to the oldest employment) • You should include dates to and from • Include vessel type and size including whether the vessel is private/charter • Vessel cruising programme • Rank held and brief duties with each position. For Senior Ranks, include number of crew managed etc. • Reasons for leaving: this is a small industry, ensure resasons are genuine.

Hobbies and Interests: Include any sports, activities, interests and other info that could be relevant to the industry.

References: Include at least two employment reference contacts. Ensure you check first with them if they are happy to be contacted by future employers.

For more information and tips, click here or register now to be the first to know about new vacancies.

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How to write a Yachting CV

If you are new to the Superyacht industry, then you have probably not written a yachting CV before. If you need help writing a Yachting CV, our guide will explain what to do and what not to do.

Writing a Yachting CV differs from a CV that you may write for a land-based job. For example, on a yachting CV, you are asked to provide a picture and give your date of birth, which is considered discriminatory if you apply for a land-based job.

At Flying Fish, we help hundreds of customers new to the Yachting industry write a professional yachting CV. The yachting CV is so important, we include ono-to-one support during our Superyacht Deckhand and Superyacht Steward/ess courses. This forms part of our Career Support Service.

First, a bit of background to a Yachting CV

Your CV is a summary of your skills, experience, and interests. It explains why you are a good fit for the Deckhand or Steward/ess position, plus all the skills and experience you have to offer the yacht.

Research indicates that the reader forms an opinion about your CV in just a few seconds. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your CV is engaging and flawless.

The yachting CV must include character references, as talking to somebody who knows you gives confidence to the employer.

Your yachting CV needs to create a good first impression and be brief and to the point. It’s a sales pamphlet, not an essay.

The Yachting CV breaks down into seven topics. You don’t have to use our CV template format. Some crew agents may want the headings in a different order. You can design your CV template but ensure you have covered the seven headings below.

• Personal information

Qualifications

• Work/Yachting experience

Hobbies and interests

A few golden rules.

Before we dive into the detail, it is worth highlighting a few important points:

You must be honest. Don’t worry if you have not worked on a superyacht before, it’s not an obstacle to getting a job. If you are a smoker say so. If you have visible tattoos then say so and let the employer decide.

Working on a yacht, whether a small sailing yacht or a large superyacht your character is key. The employer will probably pay more attention to your character/work ethic than your qualifications.

Getting the format right

How you design your yachting CV is just as important as its content. The font you use, and how you present it also play a significant role. Choose a font like Calibri, 11 points, or Verdana 10 points as they are easy to read. Make sure you save your CV as a PDF file or similar format that can be opened on both a MAC or PC.

Personal Information

This is the easy bit, follow the prompts in our CV template. Make sure you add the international dialing code, +44, as an example. Add your current location but bear in mind this will change.

Social Media

Today we all have an online profile. You will add your name, DOB and upload a photo to your CV. Yachts interested in you will likely look at your social media to see what you do in your free time.

Ensure your Instagram, Facebook, and any other profiles confirm what you say about yourself in your CV. For example, if you tell the reader that you are a non-smoker only to find recent images on your social media feeds of you smoking, it will cast doubt in the readers mind to your honesty or perhaps lead to an awkward conversation during your interview!

Superyacht crew are likely to contact you on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Instagram. A Captain may ask you to send your CV via one of these channels. We recommend you become familiar with the process of sending your Yachting CV, via WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger.

You must add a passport-sized head and shoulders image to your CV. No selfies! Ask someone to take a photo of you in the morning or evening when the sun is lower to prevent squinting.

It’s a good idea to wear a polo or T-shirt, no branding – something comfortable. No need for a shirt or tie; after all, you won’t be wearing one onboard.

Don’t apply filters or Photoshop your image to enhance it. Keep the size of your photo below 250kb. Many boats download CVs using satellite, so file size is important.

Girls, if you have long hair, tie it back so that we can see your face. We advise wearing minimal makeup and jewelry. Men need to be clean-shaven; make sure your hair neat and tidy.

Below are some examples of CV photos taken of Flying Fish customers.

Start with the most important qualifications first: STCW Basic Safety Training , PDSD , ENG1 medical , Powerboat Level 2 , etc. All your qualifications should be bullet-pointed.

If you have any additional skills relevant to the job you are applying for, then include them here, (Watersports Instructor, Diving, PT Instructor, Beauty, massage, to name a few). We don’t need to know your GCSE results.

Yachting experience

If you have worked on a yacht before, sailed with family or friends, worked on a ferry, dive boat, etc. then here is where you provide a brief summary of your experience so far.

Detail when you were onboard, your position, and the yacht’s name. If you don’t have any yachting experience, don’t worry, remove this section from your yachting CV.

Work experience

Place your work experience chronologically, with your most recent position first. Please describe the skills you learned and how you exceeded expectations in your job, using only two or three sentences.

This is arguably the most important section; what do you like to do in your spare time? Generally, yacht crew are outgoing people who like sport, travel, and adventure.

If you share a passion for the outdoors, you will fit in well. Maybe you play a sport, keep fit, are a keen photographer, have run a marathon, or enjoy travel. All these are relevant as they show your character.

You must list two references in the same format as shown in our Yachting CV template, name, telephone, email. Your references may come from a previous employer or somebody that has worked with you. Your reference can’t come from a family member!

Most recruitment agents ask for a written reference as part of their recruitment process.

What to do next

Now that you have finished your Yachting CV, there are a couple more tasks to do.

• Ask somebody to read your Yachting CV to ensure it makes sense and reads well.
• Spell-check your CV, then spell-check it again!
• Save your CV as a PDF. You can open a PDF on any device. A PDF is a condensed file, so if the reader downloads your CV, it doesn’t chew up all data.
• Your Yachting CV may change. You will probably want to change your photo, and your location will change when you start looking for work. If you perform day work, we will add the yacht you worked on and the tasks you completed to your Yachting CV.

Once you are happy with your Yachting CV, you can start looking for your dream job. You can search for Superyacht jobs on Facebook, YotSpot , or through a Superyacht Recruitment Agency .

Learn about working in the Superyacht Industry by downloading our free guide on working on Superyachts.

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How to write a yacht crew CV

With thanks to YPI Crew  and Van Allen Group

Ask any employing captain or yacht management company and they'll tell you that finding reliable yacht crew is often one of their most challenging and time consuming tasks!

The yachting industry sees one of the highest staff turnover rates yet there are still fewer jobs than there are applicants, meaning there's often strong competition for all vacant positions – from both new and existing crew. As such, it’s important to ensure your yachting CV stands out from the crowd.

We relay what to include and how to format your crew CV to stand the best chance of landing a yacht job.

What to include on a crew CV

The first step in finding your dream job is to ensure your CV is up to scratch. A specialist yacht crew agent will lend great advice and expertise in this area, but don’t forget; a well-presented CV is a CV that shines. By ensuring you deliver a well-formatted and typo-free resume, you ensure that it doesn’t end up in the bin after the first scan read!

1. A professional photograph

In the maritime industry, those CVs without a professional photograph tend to be discarded first.

Remember, a smart appearance is extremely important on board. Make sure you look well groomed, cover any tattoos and remove any piercings (while other industries may have softened their stance towards such things, it's still important in yachting).

You may not realise it, but you have changed a lot in the last three years. It's sad fact of life. With this in mind, be sure to update your photo every year.

2. Your past experience

If you’ve been doing day work, make sure you add each role to your CV as you go (believe us when we say this is the best way to recall everything you do). Include the yacht name and what your duties were, and wherever possible, ask the captain for a reference. If you don’t do this as you go, you're at risk of forgetting your roles and a captain may wonder about gaps in your experience.

Laurence Lewis, director at YPI Crew, recommends listing up to 10 years' of past work experience, if you have it. “Don’t disregard job experiences, skills, or education credentials whether relevant or seemingly irrelevant to your new career," she noted. "Employers will want to build a global picture of who you are and will perhaps want to see how versatile you are. Big gaps in CVs should also be explained. Define what your unique selling point is and mention it in your introduction.”

3. Add references

It's always useful to include a few professional references at the end of your CV if possible. Another good tip is to ask employers to endorse you on LinkedIn.

How to format your crew CV

Typically, you have between three and six seconds to catch the captain’s attention. Captains don’t have long to look through applications, so your CV needs to stand out right from the start. Keep it to a maximum of two pages in length - this will help your chances of landing your dream yacht job.

Studies show that people often scan pages diagonally rather than linearly, often giving up reading bullet points after the third point and moving further down the page instead. With this in mind, make sure to include your most recent employment and qualification first, and move your most impressive skills and attributes to the top of lists.

Opt for a classic font that is both professional and aesthetically pleasing, and use subheadings and bold fonts to keep things organised. Lewis added, “The key to writing an effective CV is simplicity, clarity and tidiness. As you only have a very short time to grab the captain’s attention, we recommend that you ‘test-run’ your CV with friends or family.”

CV template

Required information:.

• Your full name
• A current and professional passport photograph
• A current mobile number, location and email address
• Your nationality
• The details of any visas that you may currently hold with expiration dates
• Your marital status
• Your smoking habits, visible tattoos and piercings

Below this, you should then include:

• A concise profile or objective paragraph summarising your experience and unique selling point
• Your listed yachting experience, including employment dates, yacht name and size and the position held (with a list of duties, listed in reverse order with the most recent first)
• Your additional qualifications and relevant work experience (again listed in reverse time order)
• Your hobbies and interests
• Details of your references or a few short endorsements

Top tip: Don’t forget to take a quick look over your social media accounts before applying for any new yacht job. Prospective employers will almost certainly check out your public-facing profiles to learn more about you. It's important, therefore, to remove negative comments and inappropriate photographs, or switch your profiles to ‘private’. Failing to do so could mean that you never make it to interview stage.

Make use of LinkedIn. It's essentially a platform that allows you to create an online CV - only with scope to include much more information than your actual CV. It's being used more and more by yachting professionals so ensuring you're discoverable on the platform can only be helpful. 

Proofread and request feedback

It may sound obvious, but before printing or sending any CVs make sure you proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes. After all, you can’t boast about having ‘great attention to detail’ when there are obvious mistakes on your CV!

Ask someone in the industry for his or her opinion on your CV. You should question them on its presentation, its content and ask them to do a final proofread before committing to printing off a few dozen copies to be distributed.

Pick up further  crew tips for yacht job interviews , or search for yacht crew agents  on Yachting Pages.

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How to Put Together The Perfect Yachting CV

Your Yachting CV (Curriculum Vitae) is most likely the first point of contact a superyacht has with you. Therefore, putting together the Perfect Yachting CV is essential . After all, it’s your personal sales pitch to the Captain or Head Of Department looking to hire you!  

A Yachting CV differs significantly from a land-based CV. It features maritime jargon, qualifications, and a photo. As well as this, it also requires a particular layout that needs to tick the relevant ‘industry standard’ boxes. Imagine a Captain or Chief Stew has 150 CV’s on their desk. If your CV doesn’t look like a Yachting CV, it’s probably going straight to the shredder. It needs to look the part! 

Today we have teamed up with yachting entrepreneur, Jess aka The Seaworthy Stew . Jess has created a simple step-by-step guide providing all you need to create a perfect, professional yachting CV:  

1. Primary Information

Start by filling in all primary information within the top half of the page, including your phone number, email, date of birth, nationality, and passport. Also include your health status (if you’re COVID vaccinated), marital status, driver’s license, your location and availability. 

• Phone numbers: I recommend having a local sim card when you are in an area to ensure a boat can contact you at any time. WhatsApp is extensively used within the industry. Therefore I recommend getting a WhatsApp number. Once you are in the industry, you will most likely have various international sim cards. It’s a good idea to keep one consistent WhatsApp number. Then, use the local number you may have at the time for phone calls and data. 
• Email: If your email isn’t professional sounding (e.g. rubytherockstar@hotmail.com), create a new one. 
• Location : Ensure this is kept up to date, as captains will use this location to work out your flight paths and travel arrangements when you secure a job.  

2. Qualifications

Here you will need to separate your maritime qualifications (mandatorily required certificates) and other qualifications to avoid clutter.  

For your Maritime Certifications such as STCW, PDSD and Food Hygiene Level 2, add the expiry dates or the year of completing them if an expiry date is not applicable.  

If you have other relevant qualifications , you can create another heading and include certificates such as University Degrees or Diplomas, Post Graduate Education, PADI or SCUBA (Dive Certifications), Carpentry or Electrician (Deck related only), Floristry course, Mixology or Wine Courses.  

3. Work Experience and your transferable skill s

In this section, you need to list your land-based and/or yachting experience. If you’re green , you will need to pull apart all your land-based work experiences, h ighlighting the duties/skills that could be transferable to the yachting industry.  

If you have worked in restaurants, hotels, events or the aviation or cruise ship industry, this is all highly transferable to yachting. It is essential to pull out any key skills and include them under your type of experience, such as Hospitality Experience or Other Experience. It is not necessary to write all aspects of the job. Choose  the duties that are the most relevant to your desired yachting role. From here, you can further break down and add relatable skills to help explain your background and what you’re capable of.  

Once you have day work experience, you can add this to your ‘Yachting Experience’ heading, including all of the key duties you had and the time you were on board .  

If you have Yachting Experience, highlight everything unique about your position and the direct responsibilities you had. Then you need to back up these with examples as proof.   For example, instead of writing you have ‘Wine Knowledge’ you need to think about how you used this skill. It may have been a food and wine pairing menu for charter guests, here you SHOW OFF your talent’s with a practical example. Think about what your working highlights were whilst onboard. What did you LOVE to do? Maybe you have been setting up themed nights and planning events such as beach BBQs.  

For your yachting experience, we should write it  as per the below:

• MM YY – MM YY M/Y NAME, 80 M OCEANCO • 2200GT – STEWARDESS
• Followed by a paragraph about the position (This format also applies to any day work experience).  

Your hobbies should be a brief paragraph where you can add  a few quirky things, outdoor activities, and water-sport activities. If you’re aiming for an interior role, you can add something creative if it suits you (do not put socialising).  

It’s a good idea to look at transferring your hobbies into skills. As the hobbies section is an excellent place to put secondary skills superyachts may look for. For example, you may have on your CV that you’re into photography and filming. They could turn this into taking crew profile pictures, creating a guest charter and welcome videos.  

It is not uncommon for charter boats to request crew to have additional skills that guests may find interesting or helpful. It allows charter brokers to sell a yacht having valuable crew skills such as kite-surfing or a pilates teacher onboard. These skills are also usually listed under your crew profile in the boat’s Welcome booklet .

5. The Perfect Yachting CV Personal Profile

This section is one of the LAST steps as it ties together all your experience and skills. It’s also the most important paragraph of your CV and should be six sentences or less and sit right below your primary information.  

Your Personal Profile is where you persuade the reader to carry on looking at your CV. Your profile should concisely and effectively display who you are, your skills and strengths relevant to the role and the experience to back it up. Therefore, I recommend saving this key paragraph to last as it’s a summary and the hook, line and sinker as to why you are fit for the job.

I suggest splitting your profile into three sections:

• What are you searching for?
• Who you are
• What can you offer?

Bullet point things you might mention under each section , then list the qualities that position you as the ideal person for the job.  

If you’re green for the ‘what you’re searching for’ section, I suggest broadening this statement . For example:

“I aim to secure a position as a yacht stewardess/deckhand/chef/engineer position on a motor or sailing yacht.”

You want to avoid being too picky with what you want based on no experience yet.  

When you are writing what you can offer, you need to know what you can bring to the table that is unique? You can use a mix of hard and soft skills to position yourself as well-rounded. Last, back up your skills with evidence. Don’t just add ‘attention to detail’. You need to give an example of this.

6. References

Put down a minimum of three references you can rely on to have positive things to say about you. Ensure their information is current when writing on your CV and structure it so   the most recent reference is at the top with correct contact details as they will no doubt be checked.

7. Your CV Headshot

Your photo is a really important part of your CV. It needs to show you are professional, smiling and looking the part. This means you will need to dress in a white polo shirt or white blouse (ironed) and ideally have a background of yachts in the distance or water. If you can’t take a picture in these environments, a plain white background is ok. TIP: When you are taking your photo, have your shoulders back and put your hands behind you as it helps to stand up tall, also face into the sun (at the perfect time in the day), so you don’t have shadows on your face. Natural makeup and neat hair are best for females. For males, ensure you are well-groomed.

Other important yachting CV rules to follow:  

• Your CV should be no longer than two pages
• Font sizes should be between 10.5 and 12
• Correctly labelled and saved as:

NAME SURNAME CV  

• Send your CV as a PDF document to a yacht or PDF and .doc to yacht crew agents
• Make sure there are NO Spelling and grammar errors
• List certificates and experience in reverse chronological order

A yachting CV can be the difference between you getting a job and being overlooked among a sea full of other candidates. If you need some help, check out The Yachting CV Toolkit . It’s a comprehensive toolkit that gives you everything you need to create a professional Yachting CV that ticks the industry boxes, and stands out from the rest. It includes:

• Three CV Templates;
• How to recognise the transferable skills from your land-based jobs and apply them to your new CV;
• How to use power words to communicate your message firmly and confidently;
• The secret personal profile formula;
• Advice on how to create the perfect CV headshot (no fancy equipment required!)
• And a full CV review.  

Jess is an Australian superyacht stewardess with six years of experience working on superyachts. Jess helps aspiring yacht crew through her online courses. She teaches you what is required to prepare for a career as a superyacht stewardess and the proven steps to land your first job successfully. If you think she can help you check out her website – www.theseaworthystew.com or follow her on Instagram @theseaworthstew.  

For access to our Superyacht jobs board and the latest vacancies within the industry, register here.

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Download and edit our CV template to suit your needs. It will set you on the right track with your first Yachting CV. You can use it as a guide to writing your CV for the Super Yacht Industry. It should be used to aid your CV writing process and for general information. It is not meant to be a definitive guide.

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The Do’s and Don’ts of a Yachting CV

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Want the step-by-step guide (with CV Templates) that gives you everything you need to create a standout and professional YACHTING CV. Check out the CV Toolkit now click here .

Do’s of a yachting cv.

• #1 Turn your CV into a Skills-based layout Instead of the first thing people see is your work experience, they can also see what SKILLS you have from previous jobs which ultimately translate into yachting! Have you had experience working in a restaurant? List the amount of patrons the restaurant could seat, type of service, did you serve alcohol, and make cocktails? This is all relevant information for your yachting CV.
• #2 Take the time to get a good CV photo for your Yachting CV This can be done on a smart phone with the right settings and light. Nothing fancy required, just: White collared shirt, a smile, professional hair & minimal makeup (females), water or a plain background. The Photo should sit at the top right of your CV.  You should be getting your photo in the sun either early morning or afternoon not midday when you can’t even open your eyes and suddenly look squinty eyed. My tip for CVs is to get someone to help you take loads of shots, look down and then look up directly to camera (Stopping any squinty eyes from getting a look in!) 
• #3 Make it obvious and write what position you are going for clearly under your name in large font and maybe with a dash of colour to stand out. If you are interested in two departments e.g. Deck/Stew role don’t box yourself in by going one way- It’s better to be broad when you are starting out then you can work out which career pathway you would like to choose later. Right now we need to get you some experience onboard.
• #4 List your previous jobs under their job titles and then add the transferrable yachting skills under these so it’s clear. If you have no yachting experience YET. Break down your experiences in terms or what is yachting relevant and expand your land CV. Look at all past jobs and think about every task completed in that job which could be useful on a Superyacht. 
• #6 Do a clean up of your social media A yachting CV now extends to captains and heads of departments doing a search of you on social media. So make sure you do a clean up of your social media!  You don’t want to create a kick ass CV only to be turned down by a photo of you drunk at a full moon party or something similar.

Don’ts of a Yachting CV

• #1 Don’t put your Passport number on your CV. I see many green crew putting their CV with private information on it like their passport number, location etc. out to the world on facebook group pages. You don’t know who is in these groups so keep that information secure and if a a yacht needs your passport number they will reach out. It’s better to keep this information off your CV to be safe.
• #2   Don’t put something on your CV you are not trained to do or willing to do. E.g. you may be a qualified Massage therapist if you put this on your CV and your Captain discusses your role involving guest massages you will be expected to do these along with other duties onboard. Don’t set the expectation you have these skills if you don’t have it. 
• #3 Lie on your CV to get a job , these days reputation is your resume and you don’t want to start out with a bad reputation. You will come to know everyone knows everyone in the industry.
• #4 Let’s talk about your hobbies . Please don’t put socialising as one of your hobbies on your CV. I’m sure you are much more interesting and have other hobbies you can add. Maybe it’s your Open Water Dive qualifications, you are a Lifeguard, Professional swimmer, Kite-boarding instructor, Yoga Teacher. These are all value-added skills which can do your CV wonders if you have this experience. It’s also a space where you can add your personal touch so don’t be afraid to add in what makes you unique!
• #5 Styling and spelling! When adding your personal touches to your CV please make sure there no more than two different font types (otherwise it tends to look messy and unorganised) and on that note ensure you have zero spelling and grammar mistakes. I’ve said it before that yachting is hugely based on presentation and this comes down to your CV as well, If it has poor grammar or spelling mistakes it reflects back on you. There are great programs out there, Such as grammarly which you can use to do a full check of your CV. 

So there we have it, the do’s and don’ts of yachting CV’s, i hope these help  give you some guidance into crafting your CV. 

Remember your CV is most likely the first point of contact a yacht has with you, it needs to be professional- it’s your personal sales pitch to the captain!

Want the step by step guide on how to create a standout yachting CV click here.

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I’m a chief stewardess with over 6 years experience working in the superyacht industry on boats up to 88m. I help aspiring yacht crew by propelling them with the know-how and tools to confidently break into the superyacht industry.

Hey, I'm Jess a friendly Yacht Stew here to help!

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YACHTING CV FORMAT GUIDE

Here is a simple guide for those of you who may be considering trying to get a job in the superyacht industry. Writing a Yachting CV is a little different to a normal CV that you may write for a land based job. For example, if you are writing a CV for a job on a yacht, you are asked to provide a photograph and give your date of birth, which is considered discriminatory if applying for jobs on land.

A photo is important, if you don’t include one on your CV, it considerably reduces your chances to almost nil of being considered for a position.

When having a photo done for your CV, don’t apply filters or Photoshop to enhance the image. Prospective employers want to see the real you.

A smart appearance is incredibly important onboard and your profile picture should reflect this. Your photo should be head and shoulders only. If you have long hair then tie it back. Minimal makeup and jewellery are advised. Men need to be clean-shaven, or a tidy beard, certainly well-groomed and hair also neat and tidy.  Cover tattoos and remove any piercings.

Keep your photo size below 250kb. Many boats are downloading using satellite so file size is important. This also applies to using heavy colour blocks on a CV. Too much can be slow to download and don’t over elaborate on the graphics.

Your CV could perhaps be described as a flyer to generate an interest in you and your experience leaving the greater details to discuss at interview stage.  Don‘t list everything , just the good stuff and the things that will hopefully make you stand out from the rest!

Keep it clear, concise and factual. Too much graphic design also distracts the reader from the main objective of reading the facts so it is suggested that you don’t set it out like a comprehensive Michelin restaurant menu or a brochure for a yachting holiday!

Another tip worthy of considering when in your search for your dream job on a yacht, is to make sure all your profiles on social media are appropriate before your CV is in the inbox of a potential employer. This also applies to your WhatsApp photo. If you are calling yourself a non-smoker on your CV and there are photos of you having a cheeky smoke somewhere out there on the one of socials, take it down, or you’ll very likely  be caught out.  Prospective employers will almost certainly check out your public-facing profiles to learn more about you. It’s important, therefore, to remove negative comments and inappropriate photographs, or change your profiles to ‘private’. Failing to do so could mean that you may never make it to interview stage.

Carefully proof read and check for grammar and punctuation mistakes. If attention to detail is listed on your CV as being one of your key skills and your CV is littered with typo’s,  then this will also work against you.

The CV format here is a simple example of how to go about putting together your first CV for the industry if you haven’t done so before.

There are many templates available to use online so have a play around. Just keep in mind and implement the advice suggested and you’ll be good to go.

Here's another post you may find useful:

Wanting to get a job in the superyacht industry?

Wanting to get a job in the superyacht industry? Let us guide you in how to get started. You’ve binged on ‘Below Deck’ in lockdown

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Superyacht Crew CV

Write a Great CV to Secure Your Dream Job on a Superyacht

Superyacht CV Guide

As an inexperienced crew member seeking your first job on board a superyacht, it is imperative to have a good CV. Yacht crew CV's are very different from those used in the traditional business world. It is important to make sure your CV professional and relevant.

We highly recommend you follow the tips below, but don’t be afraid to make some adjustments that reflect your personality and style. It is important to strike a balance between being unique and professional.

Yacht Crew CV Photograph:

Your photograph is an important aspect of your CV. Unlike other industries, your CV will most likely be completely ignored without a photograph. Vessel owners and captains like to hire presentable crew members and it is important to portray the correct image in your photograph. Here are a few guidelines to follow:

• The photograph should be placed in the top corner of the CV.
• It should in colour, be a JPEG file and less than 500KB.
• Your head and shoulders should be visible in the photo and you should ideally be wearing a white or blue polo shirt or a shirt with epaulettes.
• Your hair should be neat and presentable.
• No hats, caps, sunglasses or large earrings.
• Look professional and friendly – SMILE.
• You should take the photograph with the sea or a marina in the background.
• You should be clean-shaven although there may be exceptions to this based on your role. Generally, guests facing staff should be clean-shaven.

Yacht Crew CV Tips

• Keep it concise. The CV should be no longer than two pages (1 page if you have minimal industry experience). Short and sweet is the trick here – potential employers will be reading through numerous CVs and don’t want to read unnecessary information.
• Ensure your qualifications, location, passport/visas and availability are clearly visible.
• Always spell-check your CV! Allow family and friends proofread it to make sure it is grammatically correct.
• Write professionally and do not use slang.
• Always print your CV out before sending it off, sometimes the layout and format may appear different once printed. Most potential employers will print out the CVs they are interested in – make sure you are happy with the printed version.
• NEVER LIE on your CV – some crew may be tempted to lie on their CVs in order to appear more experienced. Interviewers and employers are able to tell and you will be caught out.
• List all relevant experience and/or transferrable skills from your previous careers and/or upbringing.
• When applying for a job online you should attach a cover letter along with your CV.
• You will often hand your CV out whilst ‘dock walking’, it can be a good idea to staple a business card to your CV and to hand your CV out in a plastic sleeve.
• Save your CV under a professional file name, eg. John Smith CV, as it will appear that way for potential employers to download.
• Ensure the name in your email address is sensible.
• Get feedback and help from professional yachting CV services.

Superyacht CV Template Download

Create a yacht CV by using the template provided below. This template is appropriate for deckhands, steward(ess)s, yacht chefs, engineers as well as other roles. Remember to export your yachting resume into PDF before applying for yacht jobs.

Complete the form below and we will email the template to you. 

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How do I write a yachting CV?

Are you looking to work at sea, perhaps as a deckhand or a steward/stewardess on a superyacht, as a flotilla or charter skipper for a holiday company or even as part of an offshore windfarm team? We have put together a fantastic guide on how to write your all-important eye-catching CV.

Making sure your CV gets placed on the ‘yes’ pile is key to securing your first job in the yachting industry.

Here at UKSA, along with our specialised Careers Courses designed to teach you the necessary skills required to enter into the yachting industry, we also have a Careers and Industry Guidance Team dedicated to helping you make that first step into your dream job.

Not only do we provide industry talks and workshops, we also set up networking opportunities alongside a recruitment service, and with this we offer interview techniques and CV-writing training, with one-to-one support.

What is so special about a yachting CV?

A yachting CV is different from the CVs we are taught to write at school. There is a specific format which you need to follow and you are required to include information about yourself that you might find a little shocking and discriminatory at first, such as your photo, your date of birth as well as your nationality!

Before we discuss the nitty-gritty of a yachting CV it’s important to understand that the yachting industry has an extremely high turnover so when a position becomes available, an employer, crew agent or management company will have a huge number of CVs to sift through. Your CV needs to stand out above the rest and state why you are the right person for the role, all in an initial 5-10 seconds!

So, how do I write my yachting CV?

Your CV should be clear, concise, using full sentences and a font size no smaller than 11. The layout is extremely important; it must be pleasing to the eye. Make sure your margins line up, the headings and font style match throughout and that your CV is no more than 2 pages long. All phone numbers (both yours and those for your referees) must be in the international format (eg +44). Check for grammar and spelling mistakes and ask someone to proofread it.

You must be truthful! With social media today, anyone can search for you using the information provided on your CV. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.  If you’re not into dinghy sailing , then don’t say that you are, and if you smoke, then don’t state that you don’t. If caught lying on your CV your application will simply be rejected, or worst still, you could be black-listed by the employer, crew agent or management company (and the yachting industry is a very small industry!).

What else should I think about when writing my CV?

Social media.

Make sure that when an employer searches for you (and they will!) that you have either set your privacy settings so high that they can’t find you, or that you have removed all scandalous photos from your social media accounts; a potential employer won’t want to see you looking a bit worse for wear at a festival!  What they will want to see is how you’ve described yourself and your interests matches what they find on Facebook and Instagram.

Top tip: fill your social media accounts with articles relevant to the industry you’re looking to enter into. For example, if it’s the superyacht industry then follow relevant groups and crew agents and share interesting articles pertinent to the industry.

So, where do I start?

The sections.

We have listed below a full list of the sections you’ll need to include in your yachting CV. You can also download our Yachting CV Template here .

Name and Position

Make sure your name (first name and surname) stands out in a larger font at the top of the page and include the position you’re seeking either next to, or under your name.   Try to avoid using middle names as this can be confusing.

It is imperative that you include a photo of yourself otherwise your CV will be discarded immediately. This needs to be a head and shoulders shot of you looking professional and dressed correctly for the position you’re applying for. For those of you looking to enter into the superyacht industry, you must wear a white polo or shirt without logos.  Boys must be clean shaven with short, tidy hair.

Top tip: if you can, have water and/or boats in the background and do smile!

Personal details

This is where you list the following:

• Phone Number (in the international format)
• Email Address which must be easy to copy, sensible and professional
• Date of Birth
• Nationality (just state where you’re from – do not state the colour of your skin)
• Health – include “ ENG 1 ” (medical certificate which you will be required to obtain prior to accepting a job) and state if you’re a non-smoker and have no tattoos. If you have any visible tattoos then mention that here. A visible tattoo is one that is not hidden by a polo shirt and a pair of shorts.
• Languages – only to be included if you speak languages in addition to English
• Driving licence – if you only have a provisional or do not have one at all then delete this
• Current Location – there is no need to be too specific; UK or South of France is enough
• Availability

This is a really important section as it needs to encourage a potential employer to read the rest of your CV. Grab the reader’s attention in 4-6 lines showing them your personality, transferable skills and experience. It should be very specific to you and focus on why you have decided on a career in yachting. State what position you’re looking for and what your end goal is (eg I am looking for a position as a deckhand with a view to one day becoming an officer of the watch ).

Maritime Qualifications

List these in order of importance – eg if you have your Professional Yachtmaster Offshore then state that first with your STCW next.  List your qualifications as bullet points in two columns in order to save space and for a better overall appearance. Make sure you include all your qualifications relevant to the yachting industry including any dinghy or diving qualifications you’ve obtained previously. If you have your commercial drone pilot licence then include this here. Only put down the top level of each qualification so if you have Day Skipper , don’t include Competent Crew .

Maritime Experience

This section gives you the opportunity to drill down on all of your water-based experience. Include all your previous sea time whether it be from courses, employment, work experience, holidays or voluntary work. Put a new heading for each entry and write a few lines about each one.

Previous Employment

Include all your previous non water-based employment, work experience or voluntary work here. Think about the transferable skills that you have gained from those experiences and bring them to the attention of the reader. You might have skills in hospitality, manual labour and time-management, have a strong work ethic or good organisational skills. Perhaps a previous job required you to be well-presented and with the ability to deal with high-net-worth individuals. These are all important and transferable skills to focus on in this section.

You do not need to go into great detail in this section. Include your university/school/college, the year when you obtained your degree/A levels/BTEC/GCSEs and a summary of your grades (eg 7 GSCSEs grades A-C). Note that GCSEs does not require an apostrophe! Put your most recent achievement first.

Hobbies and Interests

Even though this section will be towards the bottom of your second page it is another very important section where your potential employer can learn what type of person you are and whether you’re likely to be a good fit for the boat or company. Make sure you sound interesting and as someone who’d be a good addition to a crew or team. Just to reiterate, you must not lie!

You should try to list 3 referees here with their contact details (name, position, company, telephone number written in the international format and email address). DO NOT say “available on request”. If you already have a written reference then you can add this as a third page to your CV. The quicker an employer can get hold of your references, the more likely you are to get offered the job. Do make sure you’ve asked each of your referees for their permission and let them know that they might be contacted. Previous employers, instructors or teachers are ideal.

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Yacht Engineer CV example

The last thing anyone wants when they’re at sea is an issue with the yacht, and as an engineer, you’re there to ensure everything is in working order and safe to use.

But if you want to land the job, you need to get on board with the CV writing process and make your application stand out.

To help you do this, we’ve put together all our top tips and advice, along with a yacht engineer CV example. You can check them out in the guide below.

CV templates 

Yacht Engineer CV example

This is a good example of a Yacht Engineer CV which contains all of the information that a hiring manager will need to be impressed, and presents it in a well- structured, easy-to-read format.

Take some time to study and understand this CV, and refer to it throughout the writing of your own CV for best results.

Yacht Engineer CV format and structure

The format and structure of your CV is important because it will determine how easy it is for recruiters and employers to read your CV.

If they can find the information they need quickly, they’ll be happy; but if they struggle, your application could be overlooked.

A simple and logical structure will always create a better reading experience than a complex structure, and with a few simple formatting tricks, you’ll be good to go.

Tips for formatting your Yacht Engineer CV

• Length: It’s essential to keep your CV concise, regardless of whether you have one year or thirty years of experience. Recruiters are frequently managing multiple roles and responsibilities and do not have the luxury of reading lengthy CVs. Therefore, limit your CV to two sides of A4. If you have little industry experience, one page is sufficient.
• Readability : Make sure your CV is easy to read and looks professional by applying some simple formatting tricks. Bullet points are great for making large paragraphs more digestible, while formatting your headings with bold or coloured text will help the reader to find the information they need, with speed.
• Design & format: While it’s important that your CV design looks good, it also needs to be functional (which means easy for recruiters to read) Keep the design simple to achieve a good balance between looking good and reading well.
• Photos: Profile photos or aren’t a requirement for most industries, so you don’t need to add one in the UK – but if you do, just make sure it looks professional

Quick tip: Creating a professional CV style can be difficult and time-consuming when using Microsoft Word or Google Docs. To create a winning CV quickly, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder and use one of their eye-catching professional CV templates.

CV structure

For easy reading, write your CV to the following CV structure:

• Contact details – Make it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by listing your contact details at the top of your CV.
• Profile – A short and snappy summary of your experience and skills, showcasing what makes you a good fit for the position.
• Work experience / career history – Note down all your work history, with your current position first, then working backwards.
• Education – A short list of your academic background and professional/vocational qualifications.
• Interest and hobbies – This is an optional section, which you can use to highlight any relevant hobbies or interests.

Now you understand the basic layout of a CV, here’s what you should include in each section of yours.

Contact Details

Make it easy for recruiters to get in touch, by heading your CV with your contact details.

There’s no need for excessive details – just list the basics:

• Mobile number
• Email address – Use a professional address with no nicknames.
• Location – Just write your general location, such as ‘London’ or ‘Cardiff’ – there’s no need to put your full address.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL

Yacht Engineer CV Profile

Your CV profile (or personal statement , if you’re an entry-level applicant) provides a brief overview of your skills, abilities and suitability for a position.

It’s ideal for busy recruiters and hiring managers, who don’t want to waste time reading unsuitable applications.

Think of it as your personal sales pitch. You’ve got just a few lines to sell yourself and prove you’re a great match for the job – make it count!

How to write a good CV profile:

• Make it short and sharp: The best CV profiles are short, sharp and highly relevant to the target role. For this reason, it’s best to write 3-4 lines of high-level information, as anything over might be missed.
• Tailor it: If recruiters don’t see your suitability within a few seconds, they may close your CV straight away. Your CV profile should closely match the essential requirements listed in the job ad, so make sure to review them before you write it.
• Don’t add an objective: Avoid discussing your career goals in your CV profile – if you think they’re necessary, briefly mention them in your cover letter instead.
• Avoid generic phrases: If your CV is riddled with clichès like “Dynamic thought-leader”, hit that delete button. Phrases like these are like a broken record to recruiters, who read them countless times per day. Hard facts, skills, knowledge and results are sure to yield far better results.

Example CV profile for Yacht Engineer

What to include in your yacht engineer cv profile.

• Experience overview: Showcase your aptitude for the job you are aiming for by giving a brief summary of your past work history , including the industries you have worked in, the kinds of employers you have served, and the roles you have held.
• Targeted skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant to Yacht Engineer jobs, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your CV.
• Important qualifications: If the jobs you are applying to require candidates to have certain qualifications, then you must add them in your profile to ensure they are seen by hiring managers.

Quick tip: If you are finding it difficult to write an attention-grabbing CV profile, choose from hundreds of pre-written profiles across all industries, and add one to your CV with one click in our quick-and-easy CV Builder . All profiles are written by recruitment experts and easily tailored to suit your unique skillset.

Core skills section

Next, you should create a bullet pointed list of your core skills , formatted into 2-3 columns.

Here, you should focus on including the most important skills or knowledge listed in the job advertisement.

This will instantly prove that you’re an ideal candidate, even if a recruiter only has time to briefly scan your CV.

Important skills for your Yacht Engineer CV

Marine Engineering – Utilising knowledge of marine engineering principles and systems, including propulsion systems, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, and other mechanical systems specific to yachts.

Engine Maintenance and Repair – Maintaining and repairing yacht engines, including routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and conducting repairs to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the vessel.

Electrical Systems – Utilising knowledge of marine electrical systems, including generators, switchboards, wiring, and control systems, to troubleshoot electrical issues and perform necessary repairs.

Plumbing and HVAC – Utilising knowledge of yacht plumbing and HVAC systems, including freshwater systems, sewage systems, air conditioning, and ventilation systems, to maintain proper functionality and address any issues.

Automation and Control Systems – Utilising knowledge of automation and control systems on yachts, including monitoring systems, alarms, and safety features, to ensure their proper operation and address any malfunctions.

Safety Procedures and Regulations – Utilising knowledge of safety procedures, regulations, and emergency response protocols specific to yachts, including fire safety, safety equipment usage, and emergency preparedness.

Troubleshooting and Problem Resolution – Diagnosing and resolving mechanical, electrical, and technical issues that may arise during yacht operations.

Spare Parts Management – Managing an inventory of spare parts and supplies, maintaining records, and ensuring availability of critical components to minimise downtime during maintenance and repairs.

Crew Collaboration – Coordinating with other crew members, including captain, deckhands, stewardesses, and other engineers, to ensure smooth operations and efficient problem resolution.

Documentation and Reporting – Maintaining accurate records of maintenance activities, repairs, and equipment inspections, as well as preparing reports and documentation for compliance purposes.

Quick tip: Our quick-and-easy CV Builder has thousands of in-demand skills for all industries and professions, that can be added to your CV in seconds – This will save you time and ensure you get noticed by recruiters.

Work experience

By now, you’ll have hooked the reader’s attention and need to show them how you apply your skills and knowledge in the workplace, to benefit your employers.

So, starting with your most recent role and working backwards to your older roles, create a thorough summary of your career history to date.

If you’ve held several roles and are struggling for space, cut down the descriptions for your oldest jobs.

Structuring each job

Lengthy, unbroken chunks of text is a recruiters worst nightmare, but your work experience section can easily end up looking like that if you are not careful.

To avoid this, use my tried-and-tested 3-step structure, as illustrated below:

Begin with a summary of your role, detailing what the purpose of your job was, who you reported to and what size of team you were part of (or led).

Key responsibilities

Next, write up a punchy list of your daily duties and responsibilities, using bullet points.

Wherever you can, point out how you put your hard skills and knowledge to use – especially skills which are applicable to your target role.

Key achievements

Lastly, add impact by highlight 1-3 key achievements  that you made within the role.

Struggling to think of an achievement? If it had a positive impact on your company, it counts.

For example, you might increased company profits, improved processes, or something simpler, such as going above and beyond to solve a customer’s problem.

Sample job description for Yacht Engineer CV

Serve as a vital member of a dynamic engineering team at a prestigious UK yacht manufacturing company, designing, testing, and refining components to enhance the performance and functionality of luxury yachts.

Key Responsibilities

• Utilise CAD software to create detailed 3D models for mechanical and electrical yacht components and systems, optimising efficiency, and minimising production costs
• Conduct comprehensive testing and analysis of propulsion systems, identifying potential improvements and implementing modifications for optimal performance
• Collaborate with design engineers to conceptualise and develop innovative yacht systems
• Perform troubleshooting and maintenance tasks on electrical and mechanical systems, ensuring smooth operations during sea trials and charter periods

Quick tip: Create impressive job descriptions easily in our quick-and-easy CV Builder by adding pre-written job phrases for every industry and career stage.

Education section

Next up, you should list your education and qualifications.

This can include your formal qualifications (a degree, A-Levels and GCSEs), as well as sector-specific Yacht Engineer qualifications and/or training.

While school leavers and recent grads should include a lot of detail here to make up for the lack of work experience, experienced candidates may benefit from a shorter education section, as your work experience section will be more important to recruiters.

Hobbies and interests

This section is entirely optional, so you’ll have to use your own judgement to figure out if it’s worth including.

If your hobbies and interests could make you appear more suitable for your dream job, then they are definitely worth adding.

Interests which are related to the industry, or hobbies like sports teams or volunteering, which display valuable transferable skills might be worth including.

Once you’ve written your Yacht Engineer CV, you should proofread it several times to ensure that there are no typos or grammatical errors.

With a tailored punchy profile that showcases your relevant experience and skills, paired with well-structured role descriptions, you’ll be able to impress employers and land interviews.

Good luck with your next job application!