How to prepare for the interview?

How to prepare for the interview?

– How do I go about interviewing for a position onboard? In my opinion it is best to get online and check the big cruise lines’ websites for career opportunities. Royal Caribbean International, Carnival, Holland America and others maintain a very strong hiring program and you can check with them directly if the position you are interested in is available. If they can not perform the interview themselves, they will direct you to the closest hiring partner they are working with. Alternatively, if you can not find the position you want on the web sites of the cruise lines of your choice, you can try a hiring agency, however there you may be asked to pay a fee to apply and in many countries, this is a tricky business, as paying a commission to them will not guarantee you being hired, more so, you may never even hear back from them. You can find a lot of these agencies online, some reputable, some not so, the rule of thumb is to get one that you know for sure has hired someone you know and will make it less likely to be a fraud.

– What will the interview be like? You will be asked why you would like to work on a ship, what prior experience and skills you have and when you can begin your career at sea. There will be questions asking you what strengths and weaknesses are and what will you do if a difficult situation presents itself. You may be asked to describe a situation where you worked with a difficult co-worker and how you handled it. There are lots of standard interview questions available online with suggested appropriate answers. It is important to show a pleasant disposition, warm and friendly attitude and do not sound demanding, but sincere and honest. You have to work on your CV, to capture exactly the qualifications you need for the job you are applying for and needless to say, you should be honest with yourself and the interviewer, as you do not want to get hired for a Slot Manager when you have never been in a Casino before, for example. Just like with every other interview you have to bring any diplomas, recommendations and certificates you may have as a back up to your CV. Make sure you wear appropriate business attire, have a neat and presentable look and do not forget your big smile 🙂 Many times, in the hospitality industry, it is the pleasant personality and positive attitude that will get you a job over any credentials. If you are not a people’s person or you can not work with other people, this is definitely not the environment for you Do yourself a favor and consider a different way to work and travel.

– What if I do not have a hiring partner anywhere close to where I live?  You can still contact the agency and find out if the interview can be conducted on Skype or other means online.