Sail1Design Career Consulting 101

Sailing Coach Job Hunt 101
For over a decade now, Sail1Design has helped sailing programs and professional marine-industry institutions find great candidates to fill open positions. Through the Great Recession, and now what we hope will be continued recovery, our Job Bank/Career Center has helped place thousands of candidates with coaching, sailing, and marine-related job openings throughout the US, and beyond.
In that time we’ve learned a little bit, and as always, continue to be impressed both with the incredible job opportunities available, along with the quality of candidates that use our site as a resource.
We know it can be difficult and sometimes stressful; here are a few tips, both for employers and candidates alike, that we’ve found help expedite the search-to-hire process.
EMPLOYERS

• Take Your Time. The best ads for candidates are not hastily drawn up, but thoughtful, concise, and organized. In many cases this is the first experience candidates have with your institution, and will make an impression based on what you say, and how you say it. Our system offers job ads for all levels, and each is effective. Generally, the more exposure you invest in, the better off your application pool will be.
• Don’t Say Too Much. Sounds crazy, but while every word counts in your description, more words, additional duties, and too much at first bite may leave too little negotiating room later. You want to have candidates call on you…. And their having questions about the job is a good thing. Don’t let your ad cause them not to call unnecessarily!
• Be Positive & Creative. Add testimonials, photos, videos, that show off your institutions unique strengths. Visuals and positive testaments about your organization speak volumes to candidates! Even for candidates you may not hire, it’s amazing how things can change, and how our small community communicates. Candidates have taken the time to apply; your institutions reputation with all candidates will grow if you are proactive, and respond to applications professionally, and quickly. The candidate you say “no” to may be a good friend of the person you want to hire!
• Do Your Homework. Search our Database. Sail1Design has a very healthy database of premium active resumes. Often employers search this before creating their job ad. Active candidates may already be waiting for your call!
• Need More Help? Hire S1D. Sail1Design offers hiring services and job recruitment consulting. We have a combined 100+ years in the sailing industry and hiring process, so we can help! editor@sail1design.com

JOB SEEKERS

• Build a Resume. Sail1Design offers a resume service, where you can create your own resume for employers easily to access. Log into our site and hit the “Post a Resume” button. Taking the time to create a job-specific resume speaks volumes to the hiring crew; it tells them that their institution is really on your mind! Sail1Design also offers a premium resume bank that employers can search through, often before they post a job. Make sure your resume is in there; you may get a call before the job is even posted!
• Ask! Be ready with targeted, focused questions about each opportunity. Housing, time off, growth opportunities, etc. can expedite your search and also show employers that you are serious.
• Communicate Often and Quickly. Job opportunities often come and go quickly. If you are keen on a job, make 100% sure the institution knows about you, your genuine interest, and your contact information. If you ever feel like the lines have gone down, it’s almost never a bad idea to follow up again. And, for jobs you applied for that may not be tops on your list, make sure still to follow up positively and professionally. You never know, you may end up wanting to be there.
• Line Up References. Make sure you research opportunities, and line up personal references beforehand so hiring companies will be able to fast-track your application to the final group. References are enormously important in the tight-knit sailing world.