If I were trying to get my first job on a superyacht today, I’d do it very intentionally. This post breaks down exactly how to get into yachting today, what actually helps you get your first job on a superyacht, and what’s mostly a waste of time.

Ever since shows like Below Deck hit the TV screens, interest in working on superyachts has exploded.

There are a lot of people trying to get their first job, and the difference between the ones who succeed and the ones who get stuck is rarely luck. It’s preparation, realism, and making yourself genuinely useful – but also a bit of being in the right place at the right time!

So if I were starting in the yachting industry and looking for my first job, this is exactly how I’d approach it.

#1. Get Relevant Experience Before Applying for Yacht Jobs

This is the biggest thing I’d focus on.

If I had zero hospitality or service experience, I wouldn’t start firing off yacht applications yet. I’d go and get some experience first.

Not for years. Just enough to show I understand:

• long days on my feet
• working under pressure
• dealing with demanding people
• keeping standards high when you’re tired
• basic service skills

Restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, housekeeping, laundry – all of this translates directly to yacht life.

If you can:

• Make a cappuccino and a latte
• Correctly hold, present, open and pour a bottle of wine
• Make a bed with hospital corners
• Do laundry and know what fabrics you wash on what setting, and what NOT to do

You are ahead of 95% of other applicants!

When someone is hiring, they’re not thinking “who wants this job the most?”
They’re thinking “who can I rely on and won’t crumble when it’s busy?”

If you can show you’ve already done these things and done them well, that is the kind of people yachts want onboard. Not someone who has never even made their own bed before and doesn’t know the difference between a dishwasher and a washing machine.

#2. I’d Make Sure My CV Shows What I Can Actually DO

If you’re serious about getting into yachting, your CV matters far more than most people realise.

I would put serious effort into my CV – not to make it sound impressive, but to make it useful.

I would absolutely not describe myself as:

• “organised”
• “hardworking”
• “passionate about yachting”
• “eye for detail”
• “grew up by the water”

Everyone writes that. It tells us sweet F all about you – and more importantly, it doesn’t help someone picture you actually doing the job.

Instead, I’d show what those things look like in real life.

Not this:

Hardworking individual with a passion for yachting.

But things like:

• Worked 10–12 hour shifts in a fast-paced fine dining restaurant
• Delivered service to high volumes of guests under pressure, including weddings for 200+ people
• Maintained high cleaning standards with quick turnarounds
• Comfortable following systems and taking direction
• Reliable, punctual, great sense of humour and used to team-based work

That tells someone how you operate, not just how you describe yourself.

A good CV makes the reader think:
“Okay, I can see how this person would slot in.”

That’s the aim.

This is exactly where most junior CVs fall down. If you want a clear structure and real examples to help you explain your experience properly (without sounding generic or try-hard), I’ve put together a Superyacht CV Guide + editable Canva CV templates that walk you through it step by step.

Do NOT just copy a random yachting template you’ve found online and think that’s good enough.

Trust me – it’s not.

I had a very successful business writing CVs for crew, and wrote over 200, so I know what makes a crap CV and what makes an AMAZING CV.

Or go and check out these other posts I’ve written, as they’ will tell you what to do. They’re super helpful too.

• Superyacht CV Tips: How to Write your Land Experience on your Yacht CV 🛥️
  
• How to Write a Yacht CV Profile That Makes Captains Say “Hell Yeah”
  
• 10 No-BS Tips for New Superyacht Stewardesses

#3. Be Flexible About Your First Yacht Job on a Superyacht

If I were starting now, I would not be picky.

I wouldn’t say:

“I’ll only take a job on a 70m charter boat because that’s what everyone says is best.”

That’s one opinion – and it’s not universal.

For your first job, what matters most is:

• getting onboard
• learning how boats actually work
• proving you’re reliable

If a job sounded good, the boat seemed well run, and the team felt solid, I’d take it.

Your first job is not your forever job.
It’s your foot in the door.

Being flexible at the beginning gives you far more choice later.

#4. I’d Use LinkedIn as a Tool, Not a Personality

If I were starting now, I’d be on LinkedIn Premium – but quietly.

I wouldn’t treat it like a diary, post constant updates or do any “I’m thrilled to announce” rubbish. I’d use it to:

• build a clean, professional profile
• connect with agents
• connect with Chief Stews or Heads of Department

And I’d search for people in those positions and send short, polite intro messages.

Not a full cover letter.
Not my life story.

Something simple and human, like:

“Hi X, I’m currently working doing X and looking to move into yachting. I’ve recently completed my basic certifications and wanted to introduce myself in case you’re looking for junior crew. Thanks for your time and have a wonderful day”

Short. Polite. Memorable.

#5. I’d Network Constantly – Without Making It Weird

Networking doesn’t have to feel intense or transactional.

I’d talk to people online and offline. I’d be friendly. I’d stay curious.

One of my closest friends got her first yacht job because she built a good relationship with the women working in a uniform shop in Antibes. When a Chief Stew came in needing a junior stew, they recommended her.

No pitching.
No begging.
Just being known and liked.

You never know who is sitting next to an opportunity.

#6. I’d Go to Events (Even If I Felt Slightly Awkward)

Boat shows, free talks, online workshops, meet-ups – all worth going to if you can.

Not because you’ll get hired on the spot, but because:

• you learn how the industry actually works
• you start recognising faces
• people start recognising you

You don’t need to impress anyone.
You just need to show up and be normal.

#7. I’d Do My Research Before Asking for Help

This might sound harsh, but it’s important.

If you know someone in yachting, do not DM them with:

“Hey! Can you tell me how to get into yachting?”

When you’ve done zero research.

It’s genuinely frustrating to be on the receiving end of those messages.

It makes you look like:

• you haven’t bothered to Google it
• you expect other people to do the work for you
• you don’t really understand how competitive this is

Do your research first.
Then ask specific, informed questions.

That shows effort – and effort is respected.

#8. I’d Stay Visible With Agents (Without Overdoing It)

Uploading your CV to Yotspot and waiting is not a strategy.

If I were starting now, I’d:

• register properly with lots of other agents
• keep my CV updated
• see if I could actually arrange an introduction call with agents (some do these, some don’t)
• check in professionally
• make sure agents know my name

Getting a job isn’t about one big moment – it’s about being visible over time.

#9. I’d Upskill in Ways That Actually Make Me Stand Out

This is something I’d really lean into.

Instead of waiting to be chosen, I’d go and learn skills that are actually useful onboard, such as:

• a short barista course at my local coffee shop (I still do these now, even with 12 years experience!)
• basic sewing and hemming
• an Excel course
• wine knowledge
• yoga or Pilates teaching qualifications
• how to iron a shirt properly

None of these are mandatory – but they do make you more interesting and more useful.

If someone is choosing between two similar CVs, extra practical skills will absolutely tip the balance.

#10. I’d Look for Experience Wherever I Could Get It

If I lived near a port, marina, or shipyard, I’d look for any opportunity to get hands-on experience.

Even a few days of daywork gives you context that no course ever will – and makes interviews much easier because you actually understand how boats operate.

#11. I’d Do All of the Interviews I Could Get

The more the better, it’s all good practice. Also, have some questions prepared to ask the interviewer, for example:

• What is the itinerary of the boat?
• What do the crew like to do in their spare time?
• Is there a crew gym or space to work out onboard?
• Why did the last person leave?
• What’s the crew longevity like?
• What nationalities are the crew?
• What are the cabin arrangements?
• How long do the guest trips usually last and what do they like to do?
• Is there room for progression?

And then if you don’t get the job, DO NOT say “I didn’t think it was right for me anyway”. Trust me – you’ll be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

#12. I’d Forget the Dockwalking Fantasy

I’m deliberately not romanticising dockwalking.

For a lot of people, it’s not legal.
And honestly? It’s wildly oversaturated now.

I know so many people who’ve flown out, dockwalked for weeks, spent a fortune, and come home with nothing.

If you live near a port, a marina, or a shipyard – great.
Go see if anyone needs a dayworker.
Get experience where you can.

But I would not rely on dockwalking as my main plan.

#13. I’d Tidy Up My Social Media (Because People Will Look)

This is an easy one – and one that catches a lot of people out.

If I were applying for yacht jobs today, I’d absolutely take an hour or two to clean up my social media. Not because I need to be fake, but because employers will look.

Quietly.

Without telling you.

Sometimes before they even reply to your email.

They’re not scrolling to judge your personality – they’re scanning for red flags.

Things I’d remove or archive without hesitation:

• very drunk photos
• messy party content
• captions that scream “bad decision-maker”
• public rants about previous jobs, bosses, or colleagues
• anything that suggests poor boundaries or zero self-awareness

This isn’t about never having fun. Everyone knows crew go out. That’s not shocking news.

It’s about asking yourself one simple question:

If a captain, chief stew, or agent saw this, would it help me… or hurt me?

If the answer is “ehhh 😬” – archive it.

You don’t need to wipe your personality or become boring. Just make sure what’s public reflects someone who can be trusted in a professional environment, living and working closely with others.

Future you will be very glad you did this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it too late to get into yachting now?
No. It’s just more competitive than it used to be. That doesn’t mean “don’t try” – it means being prepared, realistic, and proactive matters more than ever.

What actually makes someone stand out at entry level?
Relevant experience, a clear and honest CV, good communication, and being someone who seems reliable and easy to work with. Skills can be taught. Attitude is much harder to fix.

How long should I expect my first job search to take?
There’s no normal timeline. Some people get lucky quickly, others take months. Silence doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong – it usually just means timing hasn’t lined up yet.

Is it okay if my first boat isn’t “ideal”?
Yes. In fact, that’s very common. Your first job is about learning how boats actually operate and proving yourself – not ticking every dream-box straight away.

What’s one thing people underestimate about getting hired?
How much being calm, professional, and likeable matters. Boats are small environments. People hire based on skill and whether they can imagine living with you.

The Bottom Line

If I were getting into yachting today, I’d treat it like a project – not a wish.

I’d focus on:

• getting relevant experience
• presenting myself professionally
• network intelligently
• doing proper research
• being flexible at the start
• and doing small, consistent things that add up

None of it is flashy.
But it will absolutely help you on your job hunt.

And once you’re in, everything gets easier.

If you’re feeling a mix of inspired, mildly attacked, and also relieved – good. That means it’s working.

For heaps more genuinely helpful, real-world advice about working on yachts (no fluff, no fantasy), have a browse through my yachting posts by clicking HERE.

Go have a look, make a plan, and take one step forward. That’s how this starts.