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Build your resume
Here, you will learn the best practices and how to format your resume for an opportunity like no other. We’ve prepared this content to be beautifully appealing for both you and the recruiter, yet simple at the same time. Before we start, do you know the difference between a Curriculum Vitae and a Resume?
Well, the Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a very long document with details about your work experience and activities, usually presented without colors, while a Resume is a summary of all your relevant experiences towards the position you’re applying for. It can be designed and formatted as you wish and usually consists of a single page.
With the advent of A.I., many cruise lines started using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), a type of resume scanning software employed by recruiters and employers during the hiring process. The ATS collects, sorts, scans, and ranks the job applications they receive for their open positions. Statistically, recruiters spend less than one minute looking at your resume. That’s why you should keep all the information simple so that the absorption of information can be done easily.
HEADER:
At the very top of your resume, there’s no need to write “CURRICULUM VITAE” or “RESUME.” The recipient already knows that you’re sending your professional experience file, so reiterating it not only sounds redundant but also occupies valuable space that could be used for other important details, such as your name, mobile phone number, email address, and birthday.
We also STRONGLY recommend including a good and recent professional photo of yourself. It is the industry standard and not only will it enhance the visual appeal of your resume, but it will also help the recruiter associate your experience with your face. This way, when you’re being called for an interview, the person already knows who they’re contacting.
BODY:
You can include a brief introductory paragraph about yourself or state your objectives regarding the job you’re applying for, but it is entirely optional. If you’re unsure what to include, it’s best to omit it.
What’s most important here is to begin listing the companies and positions you’ve held previously, with the most recent or current one at the top. It’s crucial to include the company name, position title, and duration of employment, from the date of hire to the date of departure. If you’re still employed with that company, use “to Present” instead of an end date. Additionally, highlight your major responsibilities, such as “Maintaining customer service standards.”
If you’ve held numerous positions in recent years, focus on listing those that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Next, provide a comprehensive overview of your academic background, starting with your most recent or highest qualification. If you haven’t attended college or technical school, include the name of your high school and the date of graduation.
Additionally, include any relevant certifications you hold, such as STCW, Fire Fighting, Crowd Control, Hospitality Standards, etc.
Important Note: Do not include any ID or serial numbers of your certificates.
FOOTER:
At the bottom of your resume, include your expertise skills, languages spoken, any relevant additional courses you’ve completed in the past, and if applicable, mention if you possess more than one passport and visas. This is particularly important if you’re applying for River Cruises or Yachts.
Regarding languages, only list those in which you have proficiency. Avoid listing languages as “Basic French” or similar, as it may not be beneficial.
Important Note: Do not include your passport/visa number or any other verification code on your resume.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE CANVA/NOVORESUME/etc
When you apply for a job, there’s a good chance that a human won’t be the first to see your resume. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to collect, sort, scan, and rank resumes based on certain programmed elements. It’s crucial to use a clean resume design. This means avoiding complex designs or unusual formats, as applicant tracking systems struggle to read these.
Additionally, it’s important to refrain from using any images other than your profile picture. Images often become distorted in the ATS. Canva resume templates typically utilize text boxes that you can use to copy and paste your resume content. However, resume scanning systems struggle to parse information from text boxes accurately. As a result, your resume may appear to contain nonsensical characters, leading the ATS to reject it as an incompatible file.
Now that you’ve learned everything you need to know about creating a resume and what to avoid, let’s discuss how to build your resume effectively. You can download an excellent and ATS-friendly resume example here. Simply use it to fill in your own experiences and start applying to cruise lines, yachts, and agencies whenever you’re ready!
Additionally, if you haven’t already, consider creating an account on LinkedIn. Set your language to English when creating your account, as it will make navigation easier. Fill your profile with all your previous experiences, skills, and education. From there, you can use your profile to engage with job postings, connect with friends, build a network, quickly apply to positions, follow our page and even download your data pre-formatted as a resume.