by Kylie O'Brien | Apr 9, 2015 | The Chief Stewardess |
While “want to be yachties” are walking the docks and putting their best smile forward in interviews, you as the Chief stewardess/interior manager, also bear some responsibility for the success of the process…
I mean at the end of the day this new crew member is going to be living with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it is important to get it right.
The Interview Process: Selecting the “Right” Stewardess
So let’s start at the beginning… Depending on how your yacht operates, more than likely the Captain has had a role in the process and with your assistance, have managed to narrow the harrowing list of potential stewardesses down to the top 4 candidates.
Get your facts straight:
Before you even put the word out there about the position available, you need to establish the facts:
- What position are you looking to fill?
- What is the salary, insurance, vacation package, etc.?
- What are the details of the yacht, i.e., size, age?
- What is the cruising program?
- An overview of the owners and crew. Do not go into great detail here is this is a sensitive area due to privacy issues etc.
- What they will be wearing
- What times they are expected to work
- What is expected of the candidate as a team member on board XXX
How to select the short list:
When selecting the short list of candidates, you will need to look at the stewardesses/stewards who possess the critical criteria for the job. You don’t need to worry so much about the non-critical criteria, because you as a “super stewardess” can instruct the candidate and your team at a later date.
Critical criteria is quite a simple concept… can they do the job? Make sure they reach at least 60 to 80% of the skills, traits and abilities that you are looking for.
For example, you may be interviewing for a strong second stewardess, the critical criteria will be:
- 3 years’ experience on a vessel 50m and over
- Good communication skills
- Excellent leadership skills
- A good understanding of superyacht operational procedures.
- Excellent personal presentation
What to look for in potential candidates:
Now that you have the short list ready and you are about to spend your precious time and their time on an interview, make sure that you prepare for the interview in advance… “Don’t just wing it”.
- Will they fit in with the crew and with the organisational structure?
- Do they have a pleasant personality
- Do you have a good feeling about them? (Trust your intuition here… it will not fail you).
- Are they suitable for the position?
This is where you get to find out who they are. This is a little more difficult to gauge as you will need to find out as much about the person as possible in a very short time. Further, the candidate may unintentionally lie about who they really are. They may be nervous, therefore, not show their true colours.
To find out as much as you can about the candidate, adopt the 80%, the 20 % rule. You listen for 20% and let them do most of the talking.
- Listen carefully
- Watch their body language
- Take notes
Remember that skills can be taught, but a person that is not a right fit for the team can be professionally and emotionally costly.
Look for transferable skills:
This is something that I think gets grossly overlooked in the superyacht industry. Obvious industries that are relevant to the superyacht interior department are:
- Customer service
- Hospitality, hotels, airlines, cruise ships etc.
- Health care industry such as nursing, aged care worker, home help
- Beauty industry
During the interview process the candidate will have a chance to effectively demonstrate their skills, for example:
- You may be interviewing a junior stewardess, but you need to know if they can do it. Test their hospitality knowledge by asking some simple customer service questions, wine knowledge, types of service and cocktail knowledge.
Facilitate open communications:
Excellent communication skill is a must in the superyacht industry. Break the ice, by asking about their morning (something completely off topic). Keep the questions on track by asking open questions, which will provide valuable insight into their personal characteristics.
If you need to ask personal questions (which you will need to), try to keep it as respectful as possible. For example, do you have tattoos, are you in a relationship etc.
Next step is to try to gauge their communication patterns. In my opinion, it is hard to teach someone tone, speed, and sense. This takes a lot of time and patience on your behalf.
For example:
- The candidate consistently uses inappropriate language. You really don’t want a stewardess who just does not shut up and is clearly annoying the guests, but she doesn’t see or can’t read their non-verbal signals.
Look and Act professionally in the interview:
Obviously, it is just as important that you look your best for the interview, remember that you are representing the yacht. Other tips to remember here are:
- Be on time,
- Conduct the interview away from noise and distractions
- Do not patronise the candidate, I think everyone can learn something from the other person.
- Do not get involved in any drama. If the candidate is wrong for whatever reason, concluded the interview in a timely manner, thank them for their time and move on.
The interview questions:
This obviously is a topic that can vary enormously, so I will write down just a few of my favourite interview questions.
- Did you have a good morning? (Icebreaker question)
- Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? (Standard “getting to know you” question)
- Tell me about your greatest achievement? (This looks for what the candidate values)
- Have you ever felt overwhelmed in a job? (This looks at what the individual finds hard, and how they potentially solve the problem)
- What prompted you to apply for this job (This looks at motivation, money, travel, career progression)
- What are your greatest strengths, list 3 (This examines what they can bring to the yacht, it doesn’t have to be professional skills it can be anything).
- What motivate you professionally? (What do they actually want from the job)
- What do you look for in a leader? (Can they be truthful with you their boss)
- When you work with a team, describe the role that you are most likely to play on the team. (Are they a leader or a follower)
The above article was a combination of over 15 years in a management role. The questions changed over time as did my interviewing style. The important thing here is to remain flexible and honour your current position responsibility.
Finally, my biggest tip here is to follow your gut feeling, your intuition. I say this because the yachting industry is not a regular industry. This new candidate will also become your housemate and it is just really important to like the person as well as the person being able to do their job properly.
by Kylie O'Brien | Feb 16, 2015 | The Chief Stewardess, The Superyacht Stewardess |
Have you ever stopped to wonder where this “Keep Calm” saying comes from?
Well, here is what Wikipedia had to say:
Keep Calm and Carry On was a motivational poster produced by the British government in 1939, several months before the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the aftermath of widely predicted mass air attacks on major cities.
So in honour of all of you hard working stewardesses out there I’m sending you a virtual hug xxx.
Just in case you have forgotten what some characteristics of a yacht stewardess are, I’ve listed them for you below:
- Friendly
- Welcoming
- Approachable
- Adaptable
- Happy
- Gentle
- Accommodating
- Proactive
- Caring
- Intelligent
- Talented
- Responsible
- Reliable
- Empathetic
- Respectful
- Knowledgeable
- Helpful
- Skilful
- Discreet
- Focussed
Keep Calm and Hug A Stewardess
by Kylie O'Brien | Nov 20, 2014 | Interior Crew Interviews, The Superyacht Stewardess |
An Interview with Rookie Stewardess Annick Suplicy
What is your star sign?
> Capricorn
> Born is Spain, raised in Brazil.
- Where do you call home now?
> Well… my family lives in Brazil, but since this January I’ve been living in Spain.
- How long have you worked in the super yacht industry?
> For 10 months.
- What are your biggest accomplishments?
> I’m junior so nothing big happened yet, but I guess being invited to temporarily work in another boat of my owner in the Seychelles!
- Can you work under pressure?
> I assume is very hard. I still have to control my bad mood.
- What is the most difficult situation you have faced?
> Dropping my Biological Sciences course because I was unhappy without knowing what to do after.
>People being ironic to me; people chewing with mouth open; others shouting or being loud; people slamming doors.
- Tell me about the last time you felt anger on the job
> When a few other crew started whinging (just for the sake of whinging) about some organization improvements I implemented.
- What do you do in your spare time?
> I’m in a very low energy moment of my life, so I’m being quite lazy an staying indoors too much. But I love going out for a good dinner; whenever the opportunity shows, I go diving or snorkelling.
> Good times with friends! And booze… with friends!
- What would you like to be doing five years from now?
> I see myself bein a chief stew or purser in a great boat with good rotation, which would allow me to travel a lot.
- Where would be your favourite holiday destination and why?
> This doesn’t exist… favorite… I love too many places. But maybe I’d say I prefer the seaside. So wherever I find a good breeze, sun, good diving and amazing food, I’m in.
> Small local shops with good produced locally.
- Can you recommend a service or product that may be helpful to Super yacht Stewardesses?
> Too newbie yet to give advices.
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
> The unique combination of a hospitality job that allows me to move a lot and meet new places and people around the world.
- What specific training was required to obtain this job?
> Since my position is junior Housekeeper, apart from the STCW 95 and ENG1, nothing extra was demanded. But I invested in a 5-day Interior Course.
An Interview with Rookie Stewardess Annick Suplicy
- Can you tell me some vocabulary or terminology specific to your job?
> Cannot think of…
- What type of reading do you do on a daily basis?
> Health blogs, news, and some of my fiction e-books
- If you could go back and change something related to your education or your life as a student what would you change or what would you do differently?
> I’m not sure if I would change anything… although I dropped Biology on the second year of Uni, graduated in Product Design and worked only 2 and a half years in the area, I feel that these experiences made me know myself better and led me to the place I’m now – and I’m really happy!
>Traveling for sure! In between the ligns means the experiences I have while being in a new place, being exposed to new culture, language and people. The best thing in the world.
by Kylie O'Brien | Oct 21, 2014 | Interior Crew Interviews, The Superyacht Stewardess |
An interview with Superyacht Nanny Arielle Maia
• Where do you come from? Annapolis, MD, USA
• What do you do in your spare time? I love anything that keeps me active. Lately I’ve gotten really into boxing since we’ve had a few months on land and I joined a recreational league softball team as well which has been a blast.
• What makes you laugh? Everything. I can find something funny in almost everything but in particular, when you get my best friends and I together, we turn anything into comedy.
• What would you like to be doing five years from now?
I’d love to be in the travel/hospitality industry in some capacity still. I’ve given some thought lately to hotel management work so I think I’d love to be doing something like that.
• Where would be your favourite holiday destination and why? That’s a hard one. I’ve always wanted to see the islands in Greece and the pyramids in Egypt but everywhere I’ve been in Europe makes my heart happy so I’d always go back there in a heartbeat. Can’t beat good bread and cheese with a view.
• Where do like to shop?
My favorite stores are Zara, Aritzia and Madewell/J.crew but I probably spend a majority of my money at funky health food stores because I love trying new health foods and trends.
• What inspires you?
This one is really hard but I would probably say traveling. Every time I find myself in a new place I feel invigorated. I get a high from new sights and experiences and it makes me look at the world with new eyes every time. I wish more people felt that way; I think it would do a lot of good for society as a whole and would help to alleviate many of the misconceptions and conflict around the world.
• How long have you worked in the super yacht industry?
I got my STCW in fall 2010 but I didn’t start officially working until a year later, so three years now.
• What are your biggest accomplishments?
Finishing university and discovering my independence.
• Can you work under pressure?
I think I work better under pressure. I love to be busy and I am usually good at compartmentalizing and keeping a level head so that helps.
• What is the most difficult situation you have faced?
Having to accept my own flaws and limitations. This kind of covers a lot but sometimes we forget that we are human and have different strengths and weaknesses and instead of berating ourselves for weaknesses, we should work to promote our strengths. Without delving too far into it, learning to love myself for who and what I am was a big challenge for many years.
• What are your pet hates?
I can’t stand passive aggression.
• Tell me about the last time you felt anger on the job?
I’m not really one to get angry but I think a lot of people can relate to the “shipyarditis” that incurs during a yard period. It can feel stifling to be stuck in one place and it’s definitely no fun when it stretches out longer than originally estimated so you have to actively try and make the best of it so as not to turn into a miserable person.
• What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love our sense of family. We have a small crew (only 6 of us onboard, including the Captain’s son) and we’ve all been onboard since the yacht was launched. It’s nice to have that when you are so far removed from your actual family and friends back home. Obviously, the travel is pretty great too.
• Can you recommend a service or a product that may be helpful to Super yacht Stewardesses?
To be perfectly honest, I’m having a hard time wracking my brain since the boat has been in the shipyard for months now and I’ve been living apart from it but all I can think of is the distinct smell of the tea tree oil cleaner our stewardess uses periodically to clean the vents. It’s usually extremely potent but now the idea of it is making me kind of nostalgic for it…
• If there is just one piece of advice that you could give to our fellow stewardesses/nanny’s, what would it be?
Take each day one at a time but always be prepared. There’s no sense in stressing over what is or what is not to come so all you can do is give your best every day and to go to sleep knowing that fact.
Introducing: Little Mermaid at Sea
• Can you please tell us about Little Mermaid At Sea?
Little Mermaid At Sea actually was born over farewell dinner with a couple of my best friends. It was meant to be a simple blog to keep friends and family at home in touch with what was going on in my life onboard a private yacht and the ensuing travels but it quickly evolved into a much bigger endeavor after receiving a lot of outside interest. Now I write about almost anything relating to life onboard, travel related topics, and of course, all the intricacies of being a nanny onboard a private yacht.
• When did you develop a passion for travel?
My dad was in the US Navy and we were stationed in Naples, Italy for the first few years of my early childhood and ever since then, I’ve always been saving up for some upcoming trip.
• What type of reading do you do on a daily basis?
I have a few blogs I keep up with (mostly travel related) but I also try to get a bit of news and keep up with recent events since sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the yacht bubble. Other than that, I’ve been reading a few biographies and autobiographies lately. I find people and all their interpretations and experiences relating to life so fascinating.
• If you could go back and change something related to your education (or your life as a student), what would you change; or what would you do differently?
I always planned to study abroad in France and due to some extenuating circumstances, it wasn’t a possibility. I wish there was some way I could have made that happen, but I still studied french all through university and I plan on living there at some point to study at La Sorbonne.
• What is the strangest thing that you have seen in your travels?
Every now and then I write an installment on the blog titled “Fun Fashion Friday” and I cover strange or noteworthy fashion trends I find around the world. The one that’s gotten the most attention, which happens to be the one that I found most strange, was about the prevalence of couples wearing matching outfits in many Asian countries. In fact, I even saw a couple wearing a matching swimsuit set while I was in Hawaii. I couldn’t believe they were actually sold in stores.
• Finally, if you could offer just one “travel tip” what would it be and why?
Don’t over plan. Some of my best memories and experiences have come from simply wandering around a place and seeing where the day takes me. You never know what hidden gems you’ll find when you stray away from the guidebooks!
by Kylie O'Brien | Sep 24, 2014 | Interior Crew Interviews |
An Interview with Super Yacht Chief Stewardess Angela Orecchio
Just outside of Seattle, Washington in a suburb called Bellevue. Not the hospital, Bellevue rather, the place where Bill Gates lives J
- What do you do in your spare time?
Write and develop my blog, ride my road bike, run, travel, hike, explore, hoop dance. I love being in the waves on a surfboard when I can and I want to start diving more.
Movies from the early 90’s like Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Wayne’s World, Big Business, Home Alone, Ace Ventura…. and my boyfriend- he does a pretty great impression of Jim Carrey
- What would you like to be doing five years from now?
Working full time at my travel, yachting and health blog, The Yachtie Glow
- Where would be your favourite holiday destination and why?
Hawaii and Costa Rica. I am happiest and most inspired in a tropical location where the water is warm, the waves are good and the tropical fruit is plentiful. Thailand is coming up soon, so I’ll let you know if it makes the cut!
Lulu Lemon, Surf shops, Pottery Barn and Farmers Markets
Traveling inspires me to think beyond my limitations, immediate reality and be grateful for everything I have. Being in a new location also inspires me to write and create in ways that sometimes don’t flow when I’m sitting in one place for too long.
- How long have you worked in the super yacht industry?
Just over four years
- What are your biggest accomplishments?
Taking what I’ve learned from challenges I’ve faced and turning them into my greatest source of strength.
- Can you work under pressure?
I don’t feel very healthy when I feel stressed but it sharpens my focus and I get the job done.
- What is the most difficult situation you have faced?
Having a long bout with anxiety and depression many years ago. One that I have faced and overcome with changes to my diet and lifestyle.
Hate is definitely a strong word but I would say I hate when people don’t own up to their mistakes (because everyone makes them), people who hurt animals and dirty restrooms!
- Tell me about the last time you felt anger on the job?
Dealing with a series of crew who disrespected the Captain and took advantage of the owner every chance they could.
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
I really enjoy organizing long-term projects as well as planning and organizing events for the crew and guests. I absolutely love impressing the guests with a planned event, a new table decoration or a perfectly made bed. I get a lot of joy from seeing their happy faces.
- Can you recommend a service or a product that may be helpful to Super yacht Stewardesses?
Yes. Two things come to mind. One is your module on housekeeping. There are a lot of useful tips in there that I will be using to train my stews. Another one is my blog because I give a lot of advice on how to be successful and stay healthy in this industry.
- If there is just one piece of advice that you could give to our fellow stewardesses, what would it be?
Show your enthusiasm for this job and for life every day.
Introducing: The Yachtie Glow:
- Can you please tell us about The Yachtie Glow?
The Yachtie Glow is a resource for new and existing yacht crew who want to be successful and healthy in the industry. It is also a travel blog. I’m very excited that I have a new site being built now that will be a lot more user friendly so that the posts will be more organized and easier to find.
- When did you develop a passion for health and wellness?
In 2001 when I found out I had an intolerance to dairy. I was taken by a friend to a Coop where I was introduced to dairy and meat alternatives as well as organic foods. I experimented with many diets after that before I found what worked for me but that was the beginning of my awareness and passion for health and wellness.
- What type of reading do you do on a daily basis?
I read travel and health blogs on a daily basis
- If you could go back and change something related to your education (or your life as a student), what would you change?; or what would you do differently?
I would have studied theatre and dance rather than business. I’ve learned more about real business in my professional life than I ever did in college.
