When applying for a job on a cruise ship, it is imperative to include a cover letter. Learn why you need one and what the most important elements of a cover letter are. Here are some tips on writing a customized cover letter that will get you an interview for a cruise ship job.
Why Cruise Jobs Require Cover Letters
The cover letter for a cruise ship job is actually more important than your resume. If your cover letter is dull and without substance, it’s not likely that the recruiter will even read your resume. If you don’t include a cover letter that’s even worse – it’s like you were too lazy to put one together. Therefore, no interview and no job!
The cover letter introduces you and your resume. Not only does it set the tone, if it is well-written then the recruiter will probably read your resume, too. The cover letter should be a snapshot of why you are the most qualified for the position, but without being a regurgitation of your resume.
Address Cover Letter to Specific Person
One of the best ways to make your cover letter stand out is to address it to a specific person. For starters, if you use a generic greeting such as To Whom It May Concern, Dear Sir, or Attention Human Resource Manager, your application package may not even get to the right person. Second, this demonstrates to the recruiter that you haven’t made an effort to find out their name.
You may have to put on your detective hat to find the name of a hiring manager, because the name isn’t always listed on the cruise employer’s website. There are ways to get this information. You could try phoning their corporate office to find out the correct name to address your cover letter to. You could also research on LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com) to find the name of a HR Manager of the cruise line you are applying to. Be creative and you will get that name.
Parts of a Cover Letter for Jobs on Cruise Ships
There are five main parts of a cover letter. First you need to address the cover letter with the correct name of hiring manager (as pointed out above) and their company’s address. Next, you need to hook the recruiter with a powerful opening. Third, you need to identify the cruise job you are applying for. Fourth, you need to highlight your most relevant experience, skills, and training. And finally, you need to finish with a strong close.
Your opening paragraph of the cover letter for a cruise job should entice the recruiter to read further. As a priority it should state the position you are applying for and why. It can make reference to a particular job that has been advertised. This is also the time to make mention of a new ship that is being launched and how you thought it was an ideal time to apply.
The middle of the cover letter is where you share your most relevant experience and skills. You can list them with bullets or with some other creative format that has visual impact. For this section choose your best accomplishments, state the total number of years of related experience you have, and highlight your most marketable skills. Don’t make this section a summary of your resume, though. Instead, highlight the reasons why you are the best person for the job.
The final paragraph of your resume for a cruise ship job should encourage the recruiter to invite you for an interview. For example, “I look forward to an opportunity to be interviewed for the position of XX. Please call me at 000-000-0000 or email me at JoeCruise@Gmail.com, if you have any questions.
Customize Your Cover Letter
Although you may be able to get away with using a template for your resume, the cover letter needs to be customized for each one that you send out. Even if you are applying for the same type of cruise job with four different cruise lines, each cover letter should be slightly different than the other. Templates are great for ideas about formatting, though.
Each cover letter will obviously be addressed to a different company and person. Second, each cruise line may have different terminology for the name of the cruise job. Third, the opening of your cover letter should identify something unique to the cruise line or concession that you are applying to. Additionally, throughout your cover letter you could inject cruise line specific jargon.
Customizing your resume with specific cruise line terminology shows that you have done your homework. For example, use phrases such as “Gold Anchor Service” when applying to cruise jobs with Royal Caribbean or for Princess Cruises, name drop their “C.R.U.I.S.E. credo”. Alternatively, make reference to the number of ships that a cruise line has or a new ship set for debut.
From Cover Letter to Interview
By following the steps of addressing a specific hiring manager and customizing your cover letter for every cruise ship job that you apply for, you are on the right track of getting an interview to work on a cruise ship.
Think of your cover letter for a cruise ship job as a marketing tool to sell yourself as the ideal candidate. You need to identify your strengths as they relate to the cruise job that you are applying for. Why should a recruiter choose you over another applicant? Your cover letter must connect the dots of your resume and paint a picture of how you meet the job requirements and then some.