Learn how to write a memorable yacht CV

Captains are generaly very busy and often lack time to read lengthy CVs. To make a strong first impression, aim to keep your yacht CV concise and focused. A two-page CV is typically ideal, as it provides enough space to highlight your experience without overwhelming the reader.

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Think of your CV as a quick introduction to who you are. Its goal is to secure an interview, where you’ll have the opportunity to go into more detail about your skills and experience. Make sure to highlight three key attributes that make you a strong candidate for the position.

To keep things simple and professional, it’s a good idea to stick to one clean, easy-to-read font throughout your CV. Classic fonts like Arial, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, or Helvetica are great choices because they look polished and are easy on the eyes.

That said, you can still add a bit of style to make important sections pop! Try increasing the size of your name and headings like “Certificates” or “Professional Experience,” and consider putting the names of the yachts you’ve worked on in bold to help them stand out.

It might feel unusual to add a photo to your CV, but in the yachting industry, it’s standard practice. A photo helps give a more complete picture of who you are, makes you more memorable, and allows captains to visualise you as part of their crew.

Your CV photo should look professional, with good lighting and a clean background, ideally taken from mid-waist up. Wearing a tidy white or navy polo on a sunny day can make it easy for others to see you as a crew member.

Here are some tips for taking a great CV photo:

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• Show us your smile — it makes you look approachable!

• Aim for a professional yet friendly vibe

• Keep your hair neat and tidy

• Wear minimal or no jewellery

• Avoid selfies and vacation photos

• No sunglasses or hats

• Make sure the lighting is good and the photo is of good quality

It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people forget to include crucial contact information on their yacht crew CV. Yachting is a global industry, and captains can be based anywhere, so be sure to include your phone number with the international dialling code. Also, don’t forget your email address and WhatsApp contact—making it easy for the hiring person to reach you is key!

Be sure to list where you're currently based, your mailing address, citizenship, and date of birth. If you speak multiple languages, highlight this as well—especially for those looking to work on charter yachts, where you'll interact with guests from around the world.

When applying for a professional role, it’s important that your CV is clear and easy to read. A little colour is fine, but we recommend steering clear of block colours, as they can be distracting. What’s most important is the content of your CV. Also, many CVs are still printed, and block colours can make it harder to read when printed in black and white.

To make the best impression, aim for a clean, professional, and easy-to-read format. By keeping the design simple and focusing on the content, your CV will stand out for all the right reasons.

It’s easy to overlook small spelling or grammar mistakes, but even minor errors can leave a negative impression. To some, a single mistake can rule out a well-qualified candidate, as it may suggest that attention to detail isn’t a priority.

While grammar checkers can help catch basic errors, don’t rely on them entirely—they won’t always pick up on tricky words or homophones like your/you’re or accept/except. So, take the time to carefully proofread your CV multiple times before sending it out.

Most of the time, agencies will check your references prior to putting you forward for a new position. Captains and other HoDs also like to contact previous employers directly to gather feedback before making an offer.

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When listing your references, start with your most recent ones and include the following:

• Full name

• Position

• Yacht name

• Email address

• Phone number

Even if it feels like not much has changed since your last job search, you've probably gained new skills and experience in a short amount of time. Make sure to update your CV each time you start looking for a new position, so it reflects your most recent accomplishments.

Now that you know what it takes to create a great CV, download our free, professionally designed CV template and fill it out with your details.