Five tips to turn yacht daywork into a full-time position

Whether you’re new to the yachting industry – a greenie – or a seasoned crew member with a jam-packed CV looking for a fresh challenge, picking up daywork will never hinder your career in yachting. 

Daywork positions will help you to meet new crew, gain new contacts, experience how things differ across various boats and areas, and gain invaluable experience. It's also a fantastic way of finding permanent positions.

Using a yacht crew agent in your area is a great start, but sometimes simply showing willing may be all you need to turn your daywork gig into your next permanent yacht job.

If you want your daywork captain to ask you to stay on, take a look at our five essential tips to ensure you’re in the best possible position to be kept on.

1) Don't be late

Sounds obvious, right? But seriously; don’t be late. No matter how small or trivial the job you’ve been hired for, and no matter how little difference being five minutes late would ultimately make to your ability to get the job done, it’s not about that. Being late simply speaks volumes about your character. Those who show up late appear disorganised, unmotivated, unkeen... the list goes on.

If you are going to be late, phone the appropriate contact as soon as you even suspect you might not be on time. Apologise, explain the reason without blaming anyone or anything, show sincerity and determination to arrive as soon as possible, and you may salvage the understanding of your employer.

In all seriousness, there’s too much competition in this field to get away with turning up late, and someone who can show up on time will not be difficult to find. So for the best chance of securing a permanent role off the back of daywork, timekeeping ability is paramount.

2) Their way is the only way

The yachting industry is one where you may have two workers – different boats, same job – whose duties and tasks differ greatly. Everything is relative to the type of yacht, the owner, whether it’s private or chartered, and so on. Your way of doing things from previous experiences may be the polar opposite in a new gig.

Understanding this and showing your potential boss that you are willing to adapt and fit into their methods and routines is incredibly important. However, merely following literal orders and bringing nothing of your own to a task can be just as off-putting to someone looking to fill a permanent role with someone dynamic. This may potentially be fine if you don’t want to be hired by the yacht again, but if you have bigger aspirations it's something to be mindful of.

By all means, if you feel like you could improve your results during a task by doing something a little differently, open a discussion with the chief. Don’t be afraid to suggest how you could make something even better – it isn’t cheeky or rude to do so, even if it’s ten minutes after meeting them. It shows drive and pride in your work and an urge to do the best job possible. However, if you’re told that something needs to be done to high standards in a specific, tried-and-tested way, don’t try and be smart about it.

3) Show your personality whilst remaining professional

Yachts are interesting locations to work. You’re often plunged into very formal environments, so professionalism is key – but living with crew who can’t let their hair down and be their own person would be a nightmare.

When existing crew know they’re looking to turn a dayworker full-time, they won’t just be looking at how you work, they’ll be looking at how you are. Should you be made permanent, you’ll be sharing a room with one of them. Being a good worker is one half of the equation, being a good housemate is the other.

Don’t take your professionalism hat off during your tasks, but do ensure that crew get an idea of what you’re like as a person. Take every appropriate opportunity to introduce yourself to someone new, and get to know as many people as you can, even if just a little. Making an effort to gel with the existing crew will get noticed every time.

4) Treat the day as a long interview or trial shift

A good rule of thumb that may help cement several key behaviours and practices in your mind is to treat your dayworking gig as an extended interview, or a trial shift.

Be hands-on, keen and willing to show initiative, but remember your limits; you’re still very much a guest on the boat at this time. Go the extra mile to make sure you come across as extra polite and courteous, even if it feels a little unnatural. It will make the rest of the crew feel respected, and in turn, they will respect you.

If you finish the tasks assigned to you ahead of time, ask if there’s anything else you can help with. If you’re really good, try and spot other things that could do with some attention whilst you complete the tasks you’ve been hired for, and suggest that you’d be happy to take a look at it before the day is over. Even if they’ve got everything covered, you will look good for showing that initiative.

5) Thank the crew and follow up with an email

If you can, try and catch up with a few of the crew – even the captain, if possible – to thank them for their welcome and the opportunity. At this point, they may mention if they’d like you back the next day, or they may just bid you farewell with no inkling of what’s coming next.

No matter the situation, following up with an e-mail just to reiterate how thankful you are, your appreciation for the opportunity etc., is never going to go down badly.

After one e-mail saying thank you, don’t follow up again if you don’t hear back. Double messaging isn’t just risky in the dating world; it's risky here too. More than one follow-up message after any kind of interview or appearance can – and, most likely will – look desperate. They have your details, and you will hear from them if the position is right for you.

Finally...

If you have a great day on a dayworking gig and don’t get called back, don’t take it to heart. Chances are you did a good job, but that particular yacht doesn’t need someone full-time right now. Sometimes, a yacht may have seen three amazing dayworkers all of equal capabilities and skills, so an offer went to the one who had the most in common with the crew. These things are out of your control, and are not worth fretting over.

Don't give up! An opportunity will come your way if you keep doing the right things.

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Read our crew guides to superyacht recruitment, or search for yacht crew agents in your area.