The recruitment process starts with submitting your application to us. You can do that using our Registration Form
We as your Hiring Agents need to get your CV/Resume in English language – you can attach it to your initial application.
If you do not have an up-to-date Resume ready, or need help composing one, you may use any web based CV builder or use professional service.
If your application meets basic requirements for the desired position, we will respond to you by email with the link to our calendar where you can choose date and time and register for the online meeting with one of our recruiters that we call “pre-screen interview”.
Note that we usually respond to all applicants within 3 workdays even if we have to deny them right away based on the position requirements such as age, language knowledge, citizenship, experience level etc. Thus if you did not get any answer within a week or if your application data changes with the time, you may re-apply again.
You may read more on the criteria and general requirements HERE
Pre-screen interview is an online 20-30 min. recorded video conversation with one of our recruiters in order to determine which position and cruise company you might be suitable for, and answer any of your questions.
We are assigned by cruise company to pre-select only suitable candidates for their openings. Thus we have to check your experience, skills and language knowledge to make sure you fit the position applied.
You can check the positions that are currently open or might be in demand HERE in our HR Portal. Select using drop lists based on Department or Cruise company, then read job description with the requirements, and finally you may also submit your application there if not done yet.
If your English language knowledge is weak, do NOT get upset! At your request our agency can advise you English language courses. We also recommend professional courses for those who speak English well but need to improve their professional knowledge.
This consultation takes about 20 min. We guarantee that in the end of pre-screen you will get a clear answer if you are suitable for a cruise ship job or not.
In case you are suitable, we offer the most appropriate positions for you and make a plan on the next steps. In case you are not suitable, we give consultation how to improve your skills and get back to us.
In case you are almost suitable but need to improve some skills, we put you in the waiting list for the interview. Now everything depends on you if you will be chosen to participate or not. It depends on the level of your preparation. On this step applicants usually improve their English skills as well as get some professional knowledge on their position in case they are lack of experience. We may recommend you professional courses that will help you get fully prepared for passing the job interview.
We give you some time to prepare and then conduct the final consultation to check your preparation for the interview.
If we see that still your knowledge is not enough to participate, we discuss with you what else you need to improve.
Note that from 2018 year we have a new rule: if a candidate fails pre-screen, next time he is allowed to reapply only in 6 months. Therefore, pay attention on our advices and take pre interview preparation seriously.
If we see that you are fully prepared, we practice with you interview questions and consult on approve you to the list of applicants. In case you got accepted to participate in a job interview, straight after final approval you receive the e-mail with our agency agreement to sign.
Before the job interview with the cruise company representative you will also need to present to our agency the following documents:
- Passport copy
- 2 passport-size (5×5) photos (please smile! – it is indeed important how you look on the photo)
- Police clearance report in English or translated into English.
- Recommendations from the previous work places either in English or translated into English (if available)
- Copies of Diplomas or/and certificates related to the position applied with translations into English (if available)
- Respective Cruise Company application form (will be available in our agency right before interview)
- Mandatory tests results: cruise companies require to take some tests (English test, professional test, psychological test, etc.) and the amount depends on your position and cruise company. Your manager will lead you through the recruitment process and clarify for you all the details.
We assist you in preparing the document package. You can bring these documents directly to our office or send them to us via e-mail or by post.
Job interviews with the representatives of every cruise company are organized two-four times a year. The interviews are usually held in Vilnius, Klaipeda, Minsk, Kiev, Odessa or Sankt Petersburg. The location depends on the employer’s needs and the number of applicants generated in each region. After we find out about the exact time, date and place of the coming interview, we invite all applicants willing to participate by contacting them via e-mail or phone.
If you were successful at the interview with a cruise company’s representative, we send you confirmation letter in the next 5 working days. However, if you were unsuccessful and didn’t get a job this time, please don’t give up! You can participate in the next interview, and we can help you get ready for it!
If you successfully passed the job interview and got confirmation letter, first of all we congratulate you! It means you are motivated and did an outstanding job to achieve your first goal. We are really proud of you!
Next step of the recruitment process is to enter your data to the applicants pool. This is a gap period when you wait for your ship assignment. Usually it takes 2-8 months. During this time, you can live your normal live, continue working on your job, etc.
Once we receive your ship assignment from the employer, we send you assignment notifications and further instructions on how to prepare for joining a ship.
United States C1D (transit / crew member’s visa) is mandatory in most of the cases (with very few exceptions when vessels sail in Asia or Europe only), and you have to obtain it at the nearest U.S. Consulate in person before starting your contract. Note that this visa does not grant you a right to work, travel or study in USA, so you would break the law if you decide to use it for the purposes other than joining the ship.
Other visas might be needed to join the ship or serve on board depending on your nationality and ship itinerary, such as Shengen visas, Australian eVisitor or MCV visa, Brazil crew visa etc. Your Agency will provide you with the instructions on which visas you need to obtain in order to join and work on board. All joining visa consular fees are reimbursed on board if you provide ship’s office with valid cash receipt.
Some cruise companies even require their crew members to attend STCW safety training courses in their home countries before joining. These might be Basic Safety Training, Crowd and Crisis Management Training, Security Awareness Training. You may also need to hold Seaman’s Book in order to join. The agency will provide you with information on procedures of obtaining these documents.
On this step we help you prepare your document package for joining the ship. It includes checking your medical, visas, all signed documents (ship assignment, points of notice, signed policies, etc,). You might need a translation of some documents and we may help you.
First joining ticket is provided by majority of cruise lines (there might be exceptions depending on the cruise company and your position). Repatriation and returning to the next contract tickets are also covered by cruise companies. The airline tickets at marine fare are booked either by cruise company or by Ismira, your Hiring Agent, and entered to the employer’s system so that all entry and travel arrangements are done by the cruise company and respective port agent in advance. Marine fare tickets may be not the cheapest option, but they allow last minute cancellations at no fee, and in most cases include additional luggage items. Your Hiring Agent is fully responsible for your first joining to be timely and orderly, therefore taking risks is not acceptable.
The date when and where your first contract starts will be set by the employer, and you can not choose the ship and destination. During your job interview you must indicate your availability and notice needed very accurately, so that there would be no cancellations or delays from your side. You also have to remember that even when you already got your long-waited Letter of Employment (LOE), your joining date still may be altered any time as per company needs. Usually waiting period between successful job interview and joining the ship is somewhat from one to eight months. You need to keep in touch with your agent to make sure that your contact information and availability is constantly updated. Before joining the ship, you will get all joining instructions from us and we will be available for you even while you fly in case you need some help.