The hardest contract to get is your first one — everyone wants experience, and you are trying to earn it. The good news: with an officer shortage across the industry, motivated newcomers are in demand. Here is how to land that first job.
Get the basics in place
- Complete your basic safety training (STCW BST) — the four courses every seafarer must hold.
- Get a medical certificate and a seaman's book.
- Prepare a clean, honest CV — even with little sea time, present your training, courses and readiness clearly. Our guide on writing a maritime CV walks through it.
Be realistic and flexible
- Start where the door is open. Dry cargo and general cargo ships have the most accessible entry requirements.
- Consider a cadetship or junior rating role to build documented sea time — the currency of every future promotion.
- Be flexible on trade area and rotation for the first contract; it opens the next one.
Apply widely and follow up
Apply to many suitable vacancies, keep your profile complete, and respond quickly when a crewing manager contacts you. Reliability and availability matter as much as experience at this stage.
Protect yourself from day one
Never pay to get hired — a legitimate agency never charges a seafarer. Read our guide on avoiding crewing scams before you send any money to anyone.
Start now
Build your seafarer profile and CV on SeaJobs.pro, then browse entry-level and cadet vacancies. Every contract you complete adds sea time — and sea time is what turns a newcomer into a sought-after officer.