Shore Side - Recruiters: Guardian Angels or Devil's Advocates?!

July 5, 2024 | | Author: Kristina Drebot

The Art of Selling Yourself

Selling is not a skill everyone naturally possesses, even when the “product” is “yourself.” Any career search begins with a crucial decision: whether to seek a job independently or to enlist the support of a professional recruitment agency. For example, I have only made it on board, thanks to the agency in Latvia, who were certain I could succeed, even when I had plenty of doubts myself.

The Role of Recruiters in River Cruising

With 10+ years of experience in the river cruising, I can clearly see that Recruiters are essential for maintaining smooth operations. They play a vital role in ensuring that each season starts with full manning, avoiding significant Crew shortages. Their responsibilities include assuring the quality of hired candidates, informing newly recruited staff about the complexities of onboarding, and testing new hires’ knowledge, work-related skills and language proficiency. Additionally, Recruiters must manage fleet manning during critical summer periods and address mid-season crises that could be caused by excessive resignations. This job is not for the faint-hearted; it demands persistence, a deep understanding of people and immense patience.

Recruiters as Fleet’s Guardians

Recruiters act as the fleet’s Guardian Angels, utilizing their power to find rapid solutions when onboard shortages arise. However, when the “pool is dry”—meaning no available candidates are left—Recruiters face a nearly impossible mission. In such situations, they might have to offer opportunities to candidates who do not possess the full skillset required. This can be likened to a “deal with the Devil.”

The Unpredictability of Candidate Growth

Something I have witness myself being a Hotel Manager on board for 3 seasons – no one can fully predict how a less experienced candidate will evolve. Some candidates develop quickly and successfully, driven by their strong desire to succeed despite obstacles. Others may struggle to develop their skillset and become a burden on the team. Despite this uncertainty, no Recruiter wishes for any candidate to fail. From a logical standpoint, it benefits no one if a candidate does not meet the employer’s expectations. Inevitably, an unsuccessful candidate results in financial and reputational losses for the company.

Risk-Taking in Recruitment

Recruiters do take risks, especially in desperate times when the fleet or a ship is “burning” due to sudden resignations, medical issues or unforeseen circumstances. I have seen these risks both leading to triumphs but also resulting in failures. Until an all-seeing crystal ball is discovered, this is, unfortunately, the nature of the recruitment process in river cruising. No one can foresee the future.

Shared Responsibility Between Recruiter and Candidate

Ultimately, responsibility is shared. As you approach a new job, it is crucial to understand what the role will demand. Recruiters are human beings too and may overlook details or give opportunities to candidates who may not be ideal. Nevertheless, they always act with the best intentions at heart. Their job is to provide a chance, and then it is up to the individual to make the most of the opportunity given.

About the Author
Kristina Drebot
Kristina has been with River Advice for many years and has experience both on board and in the office. She currently holds the position of Community Manager, coordinating all social media activities and contributing a significant amount of blog posts to our River Compass blog.

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