The cruise industry is growing fast and there are many opportunities to work and have a great future career on a cruise ship. However, the job openings are very competitive so it's important to be prepared as the competition to work on a cruise ship comes from all over the world. Giving a good performance during the job interview is one of the most important things to get hired on a cruise ship. Prepare yourself in terms of answering questions during the interview, neat clothes, supporting documents, and prepare for questions that may be asked during the interview, so your chances of being hired are higher.

Here are some important things you need to know when it comes to cruise ship job interviews.

1.     Quality is the main thing that recruiters are looking for

Working on a cruise ship is a great way to travel the world while earning a wow income. But it's not a job that suits everyone. One way to set yourself apart from other candidates is to understand how working on a cruise ship differs from working in the same position on land.

When you're invited for an interview, it's a positive sign that the recruiter thinks you have the qualifications, skills and experience required for a particular position on a cruise ship. A job interview is more than just performing job duties, it's the recruiter's job to evaluate if you're a good fit for the cruise ship environment and make sure you're happy and productive in it.

Attitude & personality are very important in order to be successful working on a cruise ship. It's also worth noting that you'll be living on board and have little free time to spend socialising with your co-workers and sharing cabins with other crew members. To show that you are suitable for working at sea, prove that you are energetic, reliable and can work together in a team.

2.     Dress and appearance for job interviews

Recruiters are trained to pay attention to your appearance and evaluate first impressions when meeting in person, it is important that cruise lines want crew and staff who can deliver a positive experience to guests. The dress code is very strict so it needs to be considered from head to toe. When you go for your interview be sure to dress neatly, with appropriate hair and make-up for women and men are usually prohibited from having beards and moustaches as this is a hygiene and tidiness factor too.

3.     What you need to bring and prepare for a job interview

Recruiters will require certain documents if the company decides to hire you to work on board. By taking a few moments to print or copy some important documents and bring them to the interview, you will have an advantage. If the recruiter has your documents but needs to wait for other candidates to submit them after the interview, your application can go straight to the front of the line for the job. The recruiter won't make a job offer without validating the documents, so it's best not to keep him waiting.

4.     Understand and respond well to any questions asked

Shipping companies want to recruit candidates who will work long hours and have few holidays during their 8-month or (and sometimes even longer) contracts. While you may have excellent experience working on land and an impressive CV and cover letter, your interview answers should convince the interviewer that you will also be successful living and working at sea. You should be prepared to answer questions such as:

·       Why do you want to work for our company?

·       What do you know about the cruise industry?

·       How do you feel about being away at sea for eight to ten months?

·       Are you willing to share a cabin with a co-worker?

5.     Prepare your questions to ask during the interview

Usually at the end of the interview session, the recruiter will give you the opportunity to ask questions. So use this opportunity to ask questions. Asking questions shows that you are interested and enthusiastic about the job opportunity. You should always come prepared with three to five questions to ask the recruiter.

The questions you ask should show that you are hardworking and passionate about the job. Attitude is everything in a cruise ship job interview and the more you can show enthusiasm and interest, the better your chances of getting a job offer. Some examples of good questions to ask are:

·       How soon does the position start?

·       What type of training is provided?

·       Are there possibilities for promotion?

·       What are the duties of the position?

·       How would you suggest preparing for the job if I am hired?

6.     Boost your confidence with interview practice

You may feel nervous or stressed before the interview. This is a natural reaction of most people during a job interview. One of the best ways to overcome your nerves and build your confidence is to practice interviews. You can ask a friend or family member to help you with one or two practice interviews. They can even provide useful feedback on how to improve your performance.