Questions for someone in (or very familiar with) the boating biz / yacht jobs

For what it's worth, A) it's illegal to specify male or female in a job posting and B) I'd be extremely worried about them asking for a photo of any type. If it were me, I'd apply with no photo attached and a great resume and see how far you get!

Hmmm... you bring up good points. Food for thought... Thanks for the reply!

I vaguely remember seeing that ad. Where was it posted? There are any number of boating crew websites (and there's a Crew magazine that's on a stand at The Fruit Bowl and other places - Yacht Haven Grande??), so I would post the question on one of those sites.

Yes, specifying sex and asking for photos is illegal in the US, but if a boat isn't registered in the US, do those rules still apply? If you hang out at Wikked, you'll probably meet some crewmembers from other boats/yachts, so they may be able to advise you.

Let us know how it turns out.

I applied for a yacht Chef job several years ago with a few companies in San Diego and Seattle.
It's common practice for them to request a picture. I think they want to hire attractive workers. Simple as that. I'd send them a head shot, maybe from the top of your shoulders up. Nothing fancy.

I didn't get the yacht chef job but I continued to post my picture at the top of my resume and it landed me the job (long distance) that moved me to StX.

I wouldn't take it as some illegal scam. I think if they're hiring for a specific role, it's no biggy to specify male/female. It just filters out dudes from applying.

Good luck!
Noah

Speaking as a father.......I would want to interview their other crew members before taking any position... once your on open seas your at the mercy of the character of the crew and passengers......take the attitude of you interviewing them and you may avoid trouble.....8-)

Is the job for a day sail yacht or does it go out for longer charters?

Pamela

A nice, tasteful, snapshot, or as Noah suggested a head shot, but by all means a nice smile and if you have piercings,.....take them out! LOL

Dress for the interview in "island casual", nothing extreme, but not a suit, either. If in doubt, a little too professional is better than too casual.

We had a guy show up (where I used to work) applying for a job as a lifeguard. He was wearing a swimsuit...period, no shirt, no shoes. He did NOT get taken seriously. A little too "dress for the job"!

The job ad doesn't specify whether it is simply day charters or longer ones. I figured if I even get a call back that would be one of the first questions I ask of them. (And yes, I always use my job interviews to interview the employer as well. Despite the nature of my original post, I didn't just fall off of the apple cart yesterday! I've been a professional for over 10 years now, and have advanced educational degrees. I am just tired of being stuck behind a desk all day, especially in this beautiful environment!)

Thanks for all the input, particularly about the photo. It's a good thing the island IS casual... I don't even own a suit, let alone have one here on the island! And I have no piercings except the 3 (total) in my ears. I think I have a better sense of what kind of photo to use now.

I tend to agree about them specifying a female because they have a certain role to fill, and maybe that doesn't make them scum. I've known a lot of people, even in office jobs, who have asked questions that they are not allowed to ask legally, just because they've never actually read the employment laws. They haven't been bad people, just uninformed in this area. Is it something to keep in mind though? Absolutely!

Power vessels generally have a 'uniform' -- collared polo and blue or khaki shorts -- when they are on charter or representing the yacht.
Sailing vessels usually have a bit more of a casual attitude - clean and neat but not as crisp a look.
A head shot is commonly included on a resume for yachting positions - there is a bit of an element of a glass ceiling for women in the mega yacht industry - the crews are larger and more experience is necessary to advance .
Many sailing boats operate with a Captain and 1st mate , maybe a deckhand as well if it is out on charter.
The daysail boats - sail or power are a good entry level position but very few offer live aboard jobs.

Thank you very much, Exit Zero. Very helpful. This one is listed as a sailing yacht, and I get the impression it's probably day charters only. I'd be floored if it was a live-aboard situation. It sounds like a very small crew, and sounds like it might be casual/laid-back, if they are willing to train "the right" person, even if they don't have boating experience. We'll see. Now to try to pull a head shot together...

I think many employers in the tourist industry are interested in how potential employees "look", especially in the area of piercings and body art. That may be why they want a pic. Or to see if you look like you can do the work? What I don't understand is why such a job would be gender specific.

Many of the smaller daysail vessels like to present a balanced crew profile to the guests - not that the job is gender specific but rather that the crew would be integrated gender wise.