The answer to this seemingly obvious question contains many nuances since application form is an important and at times the only effective tool of finding jobs for seafarers. Therefore, one should always exercise a professional approach to the process of its creation, updating and distribution if you’d like to use the resulting document as a convenient instrument of your career management. In our previous articles we described how to write a perfect seafarers application form. Below we will speak about the cases when it is necessary to update your profile and remind recruiters about your candidature.
Update after Every Trip
Permanent employment on the ships of the one ship owner is a blessing due to many reasons. However, one should never forget how unpredictable maritime industry sometimes is. So, even the most longstanding cooperation does not exclude regular updates in databases of crewing companies.
For the merchant fleet mariners the good practice is to update an application form by adding the details of the last trip every time they travel back home. Thus, even if at present you are not looking for a job your profile always will be up to date; so, you might be approached with a more lucrative offer or find position quickly in case you suddenly get laid off.
Meanwhile, the milestones for an application form update for offshore fleet seafarers are change of the vessel type or completion of some major project. Reference to your participation in the big offshore endeavors can facilitate your promotion, so do not ignore such opportunity.
Certificates, Documents and Visas
One situation when you definitely need to edit your application form and email it again to crewing and shipping companies is when you obtain some important working certificates or diplomas. Indeed, AB who has completed Gas Welding or Crane Operator training will be in much more demand in the market. But availability of such qualification should be known to recruiters responsible for candidates’ selection. Therefore, do not forget to update your application form after receiving your certificates.
The special occasion is when you have achieved some internationally acknowledged qualification. Obtaining Full DP or Sparrows Stage 3 certificates should be celebrated by sending out your CVs because availability of these certificates is often a mandatory requirement for certain positions and will improve your chances for promotion significantly.
The same rule applies to updating your documents. When you acquire new working certificates, especially those often listed as requirements for the vacancies you are interested in, do not forget to notify crewing companies about the changes. Just picture the situation, some urgent offshore vacancy in the North Sea; and here the manager recalls that he has just seen a seafarer’s application form with an updated BOSIET with CA-EBS. Remember that the accessibility of such information always facilitates getting a job.
The availability of visas is an equally important detail for seafarers’ CV. If you have been granted, for instance, an American, Schengen or Australian visa this is also a good reason to update your resume.
Getting a Promotion
Another case when you positively must ‘polish’ your application form is after the promotion. It is vital that the databases do not retain outdated information; otherwise companies will keep offering you vacancies according to your former position which is not expedient for both parties.
Incidentally, if you are looking for the job, experts in recruiting strongly recommend adding information about why you have got a promotion to the cover letter.
How Often Does One Need to Send Application Forms?
Thus, above we have considered situations when it is necessary to update your CV. If we make a small digest, there will be the following list of occasions that require editing and another distribution of the seafarer’s application form:
- At the end of the trip (for the merchant fleet seafarers);
- When changing your vessel type or by completion a major project (for offshore fleet personnel);
- Upon receipt of new certificates, maritime and civil documents, important visas;
- When promoted.
Now consider the reverse situation. How often should one send an application form to crewing companies and ship owners’ representative offices? The answer is not more frequently than once a month. This is important so that the staff who process application forms do not ignore your emails thinking that they will not find anything new in them.
By the way, if you are searching for a job and want to make an appearance in person; also try to avoid too frequent visits. Importunate attendance creates an aura of incompetence and lack of demand especially for the officers. For the ranks one visit in 1,5 – 2 months is quite enough to ensure you remain familiar to recruiters; whilst officers require only one meeting with crewing managers in a few months.