The Season’s (Almost) Over — Now What?
The Mediterranean season is slowly coming to an end and it's that time of year where seasonal positions wrap up.
If you've got a permanent position then that's awesome, congratulations!
If you have a seasonal position that is coming to an end, then this post is for you.
If this is your first season, you may be wondering, well what next?
You've been through the crazy crew nights outs, sunrises in beautiful anchorages, back to back guest trips, lack of sleep, the excitement of drop off day and making new friends. Just as quickly as it began, it's now coming to an end!
In this post I am going to give some advice on what to do when leaving your seasonal job, and in addition offer some things to think about through the 'winter' months.
Feedback, References and Sea time
Before stepping off the yacht make sure you speak to your head of department or Captain and ask for feedback. Ask them to tell you what you did well and what you can improve on. Many boats do seasonal performance reviews which are a great way to know where you stand with your Captain and/or head of department. It's very difficult to improve if you don't know what areas to work on, so just ask.
This would also be a great time to ask for a written reference. A written reference can go a long way in securing your next job. Hopefully you've given it your all this season and have earned a good reference.
If you're working on deck or in the engineering department and want to progress through your career, you will need testimonials to prove watch keeping time and/or days at sea. Ask your HOD about this and make sure you get it printed off and signed off before you leave. This will be a massive help down the line.
Taking the Winter off
At the end of a seasonal contract you can either immediately start looking for your next job or you can take some time off.
Taking time off after a busy season, particularly if it's your first season, can be beneficial. Yachting is tough - it takes a toll mentally and physically and sometimes you may not even be aware how tired you really are. Taking time off after a job gives you an opportunity to rest and recover, pursue hobbies you've been putting off, travel and connect with friends and family. It also gives you time to reflect, define your goals in yachting, and come back in the new year feeling fresh.
It's worth reflecting on what you enjoyed and what you did not enjoy. Take time to think about if yachting is for you or not, what kind of yachts would you like to work on - big, small, motor, or sailing yachts. When you know what you want you are more likely to get what you want.
My first job was a seasonal contract and I took the winter off to go home. I spent the summer (Southern hemisphere) with friends and family and had a blast. I also took the time to think more about what I wanted out of yachting. It was extremely beneficial for me because I had a much clearer idea of what I wanted in my next role.
Networking as the season comes to an end
Now that you've made a whole lot of new friends and connections in this industry, it's important to stay in touch. Whether you are taking the winter off or looking for your next job, yachting is all about who you know.
Think about the boats you have day worked on and get in touch with the crew, hopefully you got a good reference, and now you can touch base to let them know you are available again and are looking for more work. They may have work for you onboard, or may be able to suggest another boat that's looking for crew.
Make sure you touch bases with recruitment agents and update them with your situation and a new CV. Making regular contact with recruitment agents is always a good idea. You stay on their radar, as well as build rapport which could lead to a mutually beneficial relationship in the future.
Courses
If you're taking the winter off, or on a boat that's going to be in a shipyard for the winter, it may be a great opportunity for you to do some courses. Speak to your heads of department and ask for recommendations on courses you should do which could further your progression onboard. There are always courses to do within the yachting industry, even if the courses aren't directly related to yachting. You could do courses that give you additional skills that guests may be interested in such as: Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor, Mixology, Massage Therapy, Drone Pilot, Dive Master - the list is literally endless. If you have a hobby ,you could probably add it to your CV as a skill which could be useful within the industry.
Check out our career guidance page for training academy suggestions.
Conclusion
While the season is nearing its end and many boats may already be finished, for most of us there is still a last big push required. Give it your all and make sure you earn that reference at the end. Take some time to think about what you're going to do after your seasonal contract ends and enjoy the last few weeks of summer!
Comments