Oh hey Ship2Shore family! We just finished our weekly webinar about LinkedIn and thinking about how many of you are paralyzed by this powerful networking tool. I want to calm any fears and get you started on the right path to success!
As you transition from ship life to the virtual job market, don't leave this critical tool on the sidelines: LinkedIn. In this article, I'll guide you through the process of optimizing your LinkedIn profile, showcasing your unique skills and experiences gained from working onboard a cruise ship. This is your superpower, so give yourself the credit you deserve.
Let's set sail and make your LinkedIn presence shine!
1. Highlight Your Cruise Industry Expertise:
Don't overlook this very important part at the top of your profile.
Start with a compelling headline: Use keywords like "Former Cruise Professional" or "Maritime Professional" to attract attention from recruiters and industry peers.
Craft a captivating summary: Share your story, highlighting your accomplishments, versatility, and dedication to customer service. Emphasize the transferable skills you acquired while working onboard, such as teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving.
2. Leverage Your Shipboard Roles and Responsibilities:
Showcase your positions: List each role you held onboard, from server to cruise director, with specific details of your responsibilities. Highlight how these roles have sharpened your skills in customer service, communication, leadership, and teamwork.
Quantify your impact: Include metrics and achievements to demonstrate your effectiveness and the positive outcomes you achieved in your shipboard roles. For example, "Managed a team of X members, consistently exceeding guest satisfaction ratings by X%."
3. Translate Shipboard Skills to the Virtual Job Market:
Adapt industry-specific terminology: While cruise industry jargon might be familiar to you, it's essential to translate it into language understood by recruiters and employers outside the cruise industry. Use keywords and phrases commonly used in your target roles or industries - targets to revenue goals.
Highlight transferable skills: Focus on skills acquired onboard that are valuable in various professional contexts. These can include problem-solving, conflict resolution, multitasking, cultural sensitivity, adaptability to diverse environments, and resilience in high-pressure situations. Elaborate on the complexity and depth in which you use these as a crew member.
4. Showcasing Professional Development:
Highlight training and certifications: Include any specialized training or certifications you obtained during your time on the ship. This can range from safety certifications to hospitality or customer service training programs. These credentials demonstrate your commitment to personal growth and professional development.
Continuing education: If you've pursued further education or completed relevant courses since leaving the cruise industry, mention them in your profile to showcase your ongoing dedication to learning. If you don't have any, look for free reputable institutions that provide online courses.
5. Visual Storytelling:
Add multimedia content: Upload photos or videos that capture memorable moments from your cruise ship experiences. Showcasing these visuals can help recruiters and potential employers envision your work environment and highlight your interpersonal and teamwork skills.
Share testimonials and endorsements: Request recommendations from former colleagues, supervisors, or satisfied guests who can vouch for your exceptional work ethic and professionalism. These testimonials provide social proof of your abilities. Use LinkedIn reference as a quick and easy way.
So, set sail on LinkedIn TODAY! - optimize your profile, and let the world see the incredible skills and talents you gained from ship life. Your experience is valuable, but it is up to you to leverage the best way to communicate it.
And lastly, at Ship2Shore Employ, we're here to support your transition and connect you with virtual jobs within the cruise industry. Contact us today, fill out your online profile on our site and embark on your next career adventure.
