By Margaret Boehm
With Memorial Day come and gone, we are quickly approaching the summer sailing season! That three month long period kids and parents alike look forward to each year. While most junior programs have finalized their rosters for the upcoming summer season, Sail1Design still have many jobs on our job board. Want to snag one of the remaining jobs of the season? Here are some helpful hints from Sail1Design.
1) Be Specific: Did your yacht club name you best crew one season? Have you grow up in the junior yacht club scene learning how to sail everything from prams to lasers? The more specific you are about your sailing experience and training, the easier it will be for employers to discern if you are a good fit for their program.
2) Highlight your top regatta results: Whether it’s Buzzards Bay or your local clubs beer can racing series, it is important for employers to see that although your junior sailing days may be over, you have remained active in the sport.
3) Have your references ready: Nothing speeds up the hiring process by having your references listed on your resume or at the bottom of your cover letter. Not sure who to use? Former coaches, sailing partners and commodores are a great start, along with former bosses.
4) List any pertinent certifications or courses: Be sure to list if you are US Sailing, CPR and First Aid certified. If you have taken any other courses in school that may be relevant i.e: child development, education, nursing, naval architecture, list those as well. Any additional knowledge you may have about junior sailors or the sport should be highlighted.
5) Explain any leadership roles you may have in school: All employers have a general idea of what student government or other leadership roles mean, but they may not know the specific details of how your school operates. If you’re in charge of a yearly $10,000 club budget, mention that on your resume. Spelling out your duties and skills will allow employers to see just how multifaceted you are. Also, some jobs many require administrative duties along with instructor duties, it’s important to let potential employers know that you can do both.
6) List any volunteer work you may have done for your junior program or yacht club: Do you do race committee every Saturday? Do you help plan the annual benefit? Highlight your involvement with your sailing community, it shows commitment to the sport and that you can wear many hats in a yacht club setting.
7) Research the program and club: Read the mission statement, look at past regatta results. Arm yourself with information about the program so that you can genuinely express how and why you would be a good fit for the program. Employers can smell a copy and pasted cover letter from a mile away, take the extra time to make your cover letter stand out. Also having knowledge about the program will eventually help you out during the interview process.
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