In this article, seven tips as to how to secure a placement onboard a ship will be discussed.
The search for placement onboard a ship may seem like a labyrinth. It is seen as a herculean task by many sailors.
However, securing a place onboard a ship is truly not as hard as it seems. A lot of people get frustrated in the process of searching for placement onboard a ships and tend to give up just before the harvest.
Securing placement gets more and more frustrating as the days go by. This is because of the increase in Man power inflow into the Maritime Industry which is geometrically growing.
Many sailors today didn’t get their placement onboard on a platter of Gold. They passed through trials and hardship just to get what they want.
If you are passing through hurdles just to get your placement onboard a ship, Do not be discouraged- you are not alone. Nevertheless, it will get better.
Click here to see companies that offer the best CADETSHIP schemes.
Below are seven tips as to how to secure placement onboard a ship.
Table of Contents
1. Obtain all Basic certifications and documentations required to work at sea
Before seeking for a placement onboard a ship, you will need to obtain all the Basic Certifications and Documentations required for a career at sea.
Some of the basic Certifications and documentations includes Seafarers medical Certification, Seaman’s Record Book and Certificate of Discharge, an International Passport and so on.
Click here to view a list of the Basic certificates and documentation needed by a sailor.
Without the Basic Certifications and Documentations, your chances of securing a place on a merchant ship is slim and almost not feasible.
Academic qualifications distinguishes several eligible candidates for a job role.
Obtaining an Associate degree, Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Higher National Diploma (HND) and/or a B.Sc. speeds up the rate of progression of a sailor.
This is because an individual with a specific level of qualification is assigned a given period of Sea time phase to be eligible for the Certificate of Competency Examinations.
An individual with Associates qualifications require 36 months of sea time Experience, an OND graduate requires 18 months sea time Experience while an HND or B.Sc. holder requires 12 months of sea time.
The difference is crystal clear.Without the fore listed Certificates, the progression of a sailor becomes time intensive and tiresome.
Click here to view the Maritime Training Institutes in Nigeria.
Get Certified, obtain all necessary documentation and you are half way to your dream job as a sailor.
2. Create Good Interpersonal Relationships
Many sailors remain jobless because they are not recommendable.
A few others got employed because of the good recommendation given to recruiters about them by ex-colleagues and well-wishers who they had showed kindness to.
A lot of cadets and job seekers were arrogant and proud to their colleagues during the College phase of their training.
Such traits obviates people from recommending you to recruiters and employers.
Hence, after the college phase they find it hard to get placement onboard a ship.
Wherever you find yourselves, in whatever capacity; be good, supportive, Loyal and Humble. The tide may not always turn in your favor.
Micheal Enefola,
Marine Engineer and blogger,
Echo Sailor.
Make valuable connections and keep goal driven friends. Keeping a company of similarly inclined pals’ guarantees to be rewarding at the long run.
Keep it in mind that people are always watching you.
Please ensure to treat people the way you would want to be treated. Do not be that bad Officer or cadet everyone dislikes.
3. The Integrity of your Curriculum Vitae
The efficacy of your C.V cannot be over- emphasized. A C.V is latin for ‘Course of Life”. “A curriculum Vitae is a brief account of a person’s education, qualifications, and previous occupations, typically sent with a job application”- Definitions from Oxford Languages.
You’d probably never heard of an ATS (Applicant Tracking System). Research shows it kills 75% of job seeker’ chances of landing a job as soon as they submit their resumes.
Nearly 40% of employers use an ATS to screen candidates for job openings. This could be why you never get called for a role after submitting your C.V countless times.
Curriculum Vitae either gets you a job or gets you ignored.
The quality of your Curriculum Vitae is not all about elaborate use of dictions or roles played in previous organization.
As a sailor, your C.v should;
- Be as simple and legible as possible.
- Contain past experiences relating to the Job you are applying for.
- Have one or two Referees.
- Have media through which a recruiter or employer can reach you once qualified.
To obtain a Curriculum Vitae Format suitable for a sailor, click here.
4. Leave Your Comfort Zone
In this context, your comfort zone is your home or any other place where you reside at ease.
If you do not leave your comfort zone, you will find it hard to get a Job.
One of the methods to maximize the profit of a product is its nearness to the market or its end users.
When Job hunting, you should be as close to a prospect employer as possible. During Job Hunting, ensure to reside close to sea ports, shipping companies and Maritime industrial areas.
This keeps you focused and makes the process less capital intensive.If you are not ready to leave your comfort zone, you might as well stop hunting for sea Jobs.
In 2015, I entered lagos from kaduna with 15,000 naira. I had no friends or relatives to accommodate me. It eventually payed out because I got employed a month later
Anonymous Engineer onboard an Oil Tanker
The above quote shouldn’t make you dive into pointless ventures. What worked for him/her may not work for you.
Map out a strategy, save up money for such escapades, decide on what companies to grace before making your move.
The tides owes no one it’s respect.
5. Apply for jobs roles and keep on applying inorder to secure placement onboard a ship
Some recruiters just don’t need a nudge, they need a push.
Do not relent, Apply for your desired position and keep on applying.
Most job seekers believe that after an application, they should relax and miraculously get a job offer.
That doesn’t cut it. You have to put in more effort to get to your desired position.After an Application, ensure to re – apply at regular intervals once you do not get a call up. The follow-up matters alot.
It would in your your best interest not to encroach into recruiters’ privacy or call/message them before or after working hours.
Doing such signifies unprofessionalism in your part and could cost you a potential job offer.Sending good will messages during festive periods has proven efficient in reminding a recruiter of your interests.
6. Obtain recommendation From NIMASA
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) plays a crucial part in providing sea time opportunities for interested candidates.
As the Flag state Administrator, NIMASA is in the capacity to post job seeking seafarers to various companies across it’s jurisdiction.
Alot of sailors got their Jobs through NIMASA Recommendations.
Do ensure to make NIMASA your second home if you wish to secure a Job easily.
7. Harness the Power of Social Networking
Social Networks plays the vital role of connecting diversely cultured, oriented and skilled individuals on a given Platform.The most beneficial social network to a sailor would include:
Whatapp
Telegram
Other social networks include twitter and Instagram.
The sailing niche is global and on the main stream.
Linkedin is the most potent Social Network for Job seekers. Thousands of Jobs are posted on its feed on daily basis.
As a sailor, your ability to make valuable connection and harness the power of the web is crucial to your career development.
Many a few sailors get good paying job offers in Social networks on daily basis.
Join the trend today.
CONTRIBUTIONS
The comment section is available. Your experiences may go a long way in facilitating an individuals Job placement. Also, other tips that may help in Job seekers tips are appreciated.
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27 Comments
O V Abraham
Nice piece
Keep up the good work
One more thing, when you need a job onboard don’t take no for an answer. Even if you get rejected think of another better approach…you might just get lucky (in a place you were once rejected).
Micheal
Thank you Mr Abraham for your contribution.
Kagbozula Peters
Finding placement in Nigeria is quite taxing!
I would advise genuine seekers not relent their effort in searching. You will get placement one day.
Gracias! KagbozulazuLa
Micheal
Thank you Mr kagbozulazula Peter’s, they won’t relent.
Nana
This is great for aspiring sailors in search for a placement like me. Thanks echo sailor
chuka cc
this is so insightful
Micheal
Thank you Mr Chuka
Armstrong
This is quite an insight…pls how do I apply to companies
Micheal
Thank you Mr Armstrong, applying for jobs are easily done via mails and social networks. But to get a faster result, go to the company directly and apply.
Obi Samuel
Nice one echo sailor, well said and easy said as well because your already there. But they is more to it than all this you said in as much as your correct. Do you know how many people have the complete documents, best grades, have moved up n down even go as far as paying people for placement? Just thank God for yourself.
Micheal
Thank you sir for your contribution
EJ Audu
Most importantly; pray hard guys.
Micheal
That’s true Mr Audu
Micheal
Thank you
Lade Peter
So true @
obi samuel
Lade Peter
Thanks Echo sailor,
I applied to more than 23 companies with two weeks time interval but to no avail ,i started feeling i was becoming a pest.Its quite frustrating really.
Can the officers who went to lag with no accommodation and just 15000 shed detailed light on how she survived for a month ?
What is your advise to those who had their complete documents ,didn’t go onboard and watched them expire?
I got a text message this year asking me to provide four of my male friends to go onboard ,such things have happened to me before but it was not this easy (a random text message ) neither was it in the marine,. I was excited and suspected nothing and called 10 friends and even followed the guy up with out being paid 5naira,just for the man to leave my friend in an alien state,ran off with his phone and bag and automatically blocked me,i felt horrible because i love to connect people .I think everyone should be careful of jobs online ,make sure you do your research .
Thanks Echo Sailor .I am expecting my answers.
Micheal
Thank You Lade Peter for your insightful comments.
The officer who still chooses to remain anonymous promises to explain better in a later article.
Alot of Fraudsters are on the loose. Yours isn’t the first case we’ve heard of, it’s actually the 7th. So please do ensure to ask questions about job roles before sharing.
Enoch Oluwafemi Oyedele
Nice piece.
I will keep pushing.
I know for a sure that soon, I will get to the onboard placement I seek
Micheal
Yes Enoch, you will
Latesha
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Helene
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Many thanks for providing these details.
Micheal
thank you
Clinton
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Kudos!
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Armand Donaldson
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