How to Build a CV for Maritime Jobs (Cadets, Deck Officers, Marine Engineers)

A complete guide to writing a strong maritime CV for cadets, deck officers, and marine engineers. Learn what shipping companies expect and how to stand out.

Building a CV for a maritime job is not the same as writing a CV for a typical land-side career. Shipping companies look for specific technical skills, mandatory global certifications, clear sea-time records, and evidence of strong safety culture. Whether you are a cadet searching for your first contract, a deck officer applying for promotion, or a marine engineer targeting a new vessel type, your CV must tell a clear and compelling story of competence, discipline, and readiness for shipboard life.

A maritime CV is more than a list of courses or dates. It is a professional document that communicates your operational experience, survival training, teamwork abilities, and alignment with the expectations of international maritime regulations. Recruitment managers at crewing agencies, ship management companies, and maritime HR departments review thousands of CVs every year. Their decisions directly influence your access to contracts, sea-time progression, and long-term career opportunities.

This article offers a complete, humanised, step-by-step guide to creating an outstanding maritime CV in 2025. Based on modern industry practices, employer expectations, and global maritime trends, it explains how to present your training, skills, and personality in a format that shipping companies trust. Using descriptive explanations instead of bullet-list overload, this article helps you craft a CV that is not only professional but also authentic and compelling.

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Why This Topic Matters for Maritime Operations

The maritime sector depends heavily on competent, well-trained personnel. A poorly structured CV can prevent talented students or experienced officers from being considered for contracts, even when they possess strong skills. Conversely, a well-crafted CV helps employers quickly assess a candidate’s readiness for the demands of shipboard life — including safety responsibilities, navigation or engineering competencies, emergency preparedness, and teamwork within multinational crews.

A strong CV also supports safety and compliance. Many maritime accidents investigated by organisations such as the MAIB, USCG, and AMSA highlight issues related to insufficient experience, inadequate training, or unclear assignment of duties. Crewing managers use CVs to confirm that applicants have completed the relevant STCW courses, hold valid medical certificates, and have demonstrated competence in real operational contexts.

Moreover, the global shipping industry is undergoing major transformations. Digitalisation is reshaping bridge and engine-room operations. Environmental regulations under the IMO, EU ETS, and MARPOL Annex VI are creating new responsibilities for officers and engineers. Shipowners are focusing more on fuel efficiency, emissions compliance, and energy-saving technologies. In this context, your CV is not just a record of your past; it must show your readiness for the future of shipping.

Finally, maritime CVs influence international mobility. Seafarers often apply to recruiters across different regions — Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. A clear, globally understandable CV helps HR departments assess qualifications quickly, regardless of nationality or training background. In this sense, writing a strong maritime CV becomes an essential professional skill for long-term career growth.

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Key Developments / Technologies / Principles Influencing Maritime CVs

Recruitment Digitalisation and Online Platforms

Many shipping companies now use digital portals such as Martide, Sealogical, or in-house recruitment systems. Maritime CVs must therefore be optimised for both human readers and automated screening tools. Digital verification of certificates through platforms such as Equasis, MarineTraffic, and classification society databases (DNV, LR, ABS) also increases the importance of accuracy and authenticity.

Competency-Based CV Review

Modern crewing managers look for evidence of competencies rather than just job titles. Competencies include navigation watchkeeping, GMDSS communication, ECDIS proficiency, ballast operations, engine troubleshooting, safety leadership, and teamwork. CVs must therefore describe what the candidate actually did, not only what certificate they hold.

Emphasis on Human Factors and Safety Culture

Following global safety trends, shipping companies pay increasing attention to safety mindset, communication skills, BRM/ERM behaviour, and multicultural teamwork experience. Maritime CVs must demonstrate an understanding of the ISM Code, risk assessment, permit-to-work procedures, and safe working practices.

Green and Digital Skills

Officers and engineers who can demonstrate knowledge of EEXI/CII, alternative fuels, emissions reporting, remote monitoring systems, digital maintenance tools, or energy-efficiency technologies have a competitive advantage. Maritime CVs now often include a section dedicated to digital and environmental competencies.

Globalisation of the Maritime Workforce

Modern crew composition is highly multicultural. CVs must therefore use simple, clear, global English — avoiding slang, unusual abbreviations, or culturally specific expressions.

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How to Build a Strong Maritime CV (Cadets, Deck Officers, Marine Engineers)

Below is a complete descriptive guide, divided into practical sections that reflect the expectations of global shipping companies.

1. Personal Information Presented Professionally

A maritime CV begins with essential personal details. Because ships operate under strict legal and safety frameworks, employers require accurate and up-to-date personal information to issue contracts, visas, and crew lists. Presenting this information clearly shows professionalism and avoids administrative delays.

Include full legal name, nationality, date of birth, contact details, and passport information. Many companies also request height and weight for survival equipment fitting. A clean, neutral passport-style photo helps HR staff identify candidates quickly, especially when working with large databases of applications. At this stage, your CV should reflect clarity and reliability — values that matter deeply in maritime operations.

2. A Clear, Confident Professional Summary

A professional summary introduces you in 3–5 sentences. Instead of using generic statements (“I am hardworking”), describe your identity as a maritime professional. A cadet might express their passion for learning seamanship, while an experienced officer might emphasise watchkeeping competence, crew coordination, or cargo operation experience.

This section should show more than ambition; it should highlight commitment to safety, readiness for international teamwork, and alignment with maritime values such as discipline, reliability, and continuous learning. Because recruiters read this section first, it strongly influences whether they will continue reading your CV.

3. Certificates and STCW Training (The Backbone of a Maritime CV)

Shipping is a safety-critical profession governed by international regulations. For maritime CVs, the certificates section is one of the most important. Employers must ensure that candidates possess valid and up-to-date STCW courses — including Basic Safety Training, Survival Craft, Advanced Firefighting, Medical First Aid, and Security Awareness.

Deck officers must also include GMDSS and ECDIS certifications, while engineers must list ERM and High Voltage training. Tanker certifications (oil, chemical, gas) are essential for candidates applying to specialised fleets. When listing certificates, accuracy and dates matter. Expired courses or missing endorsements often delay hiring decisions or cause your CV to be rejected.

Recruiters often verify certificates with maritime authorities, classification societies, or digital training platforms. Therefore, your CV should demonstrate transparency, order, and full compliance with international standards.

4. Sea-Time Record (The Most Important Section for Recruiters)

Sea-time is the heart of maritime experience. Whether you are a cadet completing your first onboard training or an officer with years of service, listing sea-time clearly is essential. HR teams rely on sea-time to assess watchkeeping experience, vessel types, trading areas, and readiness for operational roles.

A good sea-time section describes each vessel individually, including vessel name, type, DWT or GT, engine type (for engineers), rank, contract duration, trading region, and responsibilities. This section must be organised chronologically, showing progression over time. Recruiters quickly scan this area to determine whether you meet fleet requirements — such as oil tankers, bulk carriers, container vessels, offshore vessels, LNG carriers, or cruise ships.

Strong sea-time entries also highlight key operational tasks: cargo watches, engine room rounds, mooring operations, ECDIS monitoring, bunker operations, maintenance routines, emergency drills, and teamwork. These descriptions help recruiters evaluate your competence, reliability, and practical readiness.

5. Watchkeeping and Operational Responsibilities

This section allows candidates to showcase what they actually did onboard. For deck cadets, this may include standing navigational watches, plotting positions, assisting with mooring, or monitoring weather. Deck officers may describe bridge team coordination, pilotage preparation, ECDIS route planning, collision avoidance, or cargo operation supervision.

Engine cadets and engineers can highlight engine room watchkeeping, pump-room operations, fuel transfers, machinery maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety rounds. These descriptions should be written in simple, global English and reflect real tasks rather than generic phrases. Operational detail helps employers differentiate between candidates with meaningful shipboard exposure and those with minimal hands-on experience.

6. Technical Skills and Knowledge

Maritime employers value both traditional seamanship skills and modern technical abilities. Deck officers should mention their navigation skills, chart correction familiarity, GMDSS operations, cargo systems, and emergency management training. Marine engineers should describe their experience with main engines, auxiliaries, boilers, separators, refrigeration systems, automation, and electrical systems.

Modern fleets increasingly rely on digital systems, such as predictive maintenance tools, integrated bridge systems, and remote monitoring. Demonstrating familiarity with such technologies makes your CV more competitive.

7. Soft Skills: The Human Side of Maritime Work

Maritime life requires strong teamwork, communication, stress management, professionalism, and cross-cultural understanding. Ships operate with multinational crews from different backgrounds, requiring officers and engineers to communicate clearly, resolve conflicts, follow leadership structure, and maintain harmony onboard.

Soft skills can be demonstrated through real examples — such as participating in safety meetings, assisting fellow cadets, resolving onboard challenges, contributing to drills, or supporting junior crew. Recruiters value candidates who behave responsibly, show respect, follow procedures, and contribute positively to ship culture.

8. Education (Maritime Academies, MET Institutions, Technical Schools)

Your academic foundation is essential, especially for cadets and junior officers. List maritime universities, technical institutes, or naval academies attended, along with degree programs, grades, and years of study. Maritime employers often recognise reputable institutions and use this section to evaluate theoretical knowledge in navigation, marine engineering, naval architecture, maritime law, and safety science.

Education also demonstrates your discipline, long-term commitment, and exposure to structured training environments. Including relevant academic projects, simulator assessments, or research coursework can strengthen this section.

9. Additional Training, Courses, and Workshops

Beyond STCW, many candidates complete extra training that strengthens their CV. This may include MARPOL workshops, BRM/ERM refreshers, advanced navigation courses, ECDIS type-specific training, electrical safety, confined-space entry, leadership and team-building workshops, or specialised tanker courses.

These trainings demonstrate proactive learning and commitment to safety excellence. They also show that you are up to date with evolving regulations under the IMO, classification societies, and national maritime authorities.

10. Languages and Maritime English Proficiency

English is the international language of the sea. Maritime English proficiency — including SMCP (Standard Marine Communication Phrases) — is essential. Crewing managers look for candidates who can communicate confidently with multinational crews, read manuals, understand safety procedures, and interact with pilots, VTS, and authorities clearly.

Listing additional languages can be an advantage, especially for cruise ships or multinational operations.

11. Personal Qualities and Motivation

This optional section allows you to express who you are as a professional. Explain your motivation to work at sea, your respect for maritime traditions, and your commitment to continuous improvement. Avoid clichés — instead, describe genuine experiences and personal growth moments from your training or previous contracts.

Recruiters appreciate authenticity, humility, and drive. The goal is not to impress with fancy language but to express professionalism and sincerity.

12. Contactable References

Most shipping companies request references from instructors, captains, chief engineers, or previous employers. This section should list reliable contacts who can confirm your professionalism, performance, and behaviour onboard. Ensure that your references agree to be contacted.

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Challenges and Practical Solutions When Preparing a Maritime CV

Many maritime students struggle to write their first CV due to lack of confidence or uncertainty about format. One challenge is describing experience despite being a cadet with limited sea-time. The solution is to focus on practical learning moments — such as participating in drills, assisting officers, or completing simulator assessments — and showing willingness to learn.

Another challenge is organising certificates. Some students list them in random order, confusing recruiters. The solution is grouping certificates logically: STCW courses, specialised training, national endorsements, and refresher dates.

A further challenge lies in language. Many maritime students are non-native English speakers and worry about grammar. Clarity matters more than perfection. Using simple sentences and global English makes your CV stronger.

Finally, some candidates overuse bullet points or write excessively long paragraphs. Balanced, descriptive writing with smooth transitions creates a CV that is easy to read and professional.

Case Studies / Real-World Examples

A deck cadet from India secured a contract with a major tanker company after rewriting his CV to highlight practical experiences during simulator training and college projects. His original CV was too generic, but once he explained his involvement in ECDIS route planning, safety drills, and near-miss reporting, recruiters recognised his potential.

A marine engineering cadet from the Philippines strengthened his CV by describing real maintenance experiences — such as assisting with purifier cleaning, monitoring cooling water parameters, and supporting engineers during blackout drills. These details demonstrated competence beyond the classroom.

A deck officer from Greece used a clear CV structure to showcase experience on LNG carriers, including cargo watch duties, emergency shutdown systems, and communication with terminals. His detailed operational description made him stand out to a global shipping company.

These examples show that strong maritime CVs tell stories of growth, competence, and professionalism.

Future Outlook and Maritime Trends in CV Expectations

The future maritime CV will emphasise digital skills, environmental awareness, and adaptability. As ships adopt alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, officers and engineers will need to demonstrate specialised training. CVs will increasingly include sustainability competencies, emissions monitoring knowledge, and digital maintenance capabilities.

Future CVs will also reflect cyber security awareness, data literacy, and remote monitoring system experience. Crewing managers will prioritise candidates who can navigate modern integrated bridge systems and predictive maintenance platforms.

Human factors will also gain importance. Maritime CVs will highlight leadership, teamwork, mental resilience, and ability to work in multicultural environments. The more the industry digitalises, the more human skills matter.

FAQ Section

1. What format should a maritime CV follow?
A clean, chronological format with clear sections on certificates, sea-time, education, and skills.

2. How long should a maritime CV be?
1–2 pages for cadets; 2–3 pages for experienced officers or engineers.

3. Should I include my STCW certificates?
Yes — STCW certificates are essential for maritime CVs.

4. Should cadets include simulator experience?
Absolutely. It demonstrates readiness for shipboard operations.

5. Can I apply without sea-time?
Yes — focus on training, academics, motivation, and readiness to learn.

6. Should I add a photo to my maritime CV?
Yes. Most shipping companies prefer a clear, passport-style photo.

7. How important is English proficiency in the CV?
Very important. Clear, simple English helps recruiters worldwide.

Conclusion

A strong maritime CV is more than a formal requirement — it is your professional identity. For cadets, it is the first real introduction to the shipping industry. For deck officers and marine engineers, it is a key to new contracts, promotions, and specialised vessel opportunities. Writing a CV that reflects your competence, training, readiness, and character significantly increases your chances of securing sea-time, employment, and long-term career growth.

In a globalised maritime sector shaped by digitalisation, decarbonisation, and new safety expectations, your CV must highlight not only your technical background but also your adaptability, professionalism, and commitment to continuous learning. By following the guidance in this article — emphasising descriptive experience, clear structure, STCW compliance, and humanised storytelling — you can present yourself as a capable seafarer prepared for the challenges and opportunities of modern shipping.

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