🚩 3 Reasons Your CV Is Getting Skipped in 10 Seconds (And How to Fix It)

Let’s paint the picture. You’ve just spent hours tweaking your CV, scrolling through Canva templates, triple-checking your dates, and Googling the difference between “barista” and “bar stewardess.” You hit send — only to hear… nothing. Crickets.

What happened?

Well, here’s a truth bomb most people don’t know: recruiters and hiring managers spend, on average, less than 10 seconds on a CV before deciding if it’s a yes or no. In the fast-paced, high-pressure world of yachting and luxury hospitality, you don’t get a second chance to make a strong first impression.

Here are 3 of the biggest reasons your CV might be getting passed over — and more importantly, how to fix them.

1. It Doesn’t Look Like a Yachting CV

This is the #1 mistake I see — and it’s especially common among crew who are new to the industry.

You might have great experience in hotels, restaurants, events, or even luxury villas. But if your CV doesn’t look like a yachting CV, it’s going to be skipped.

What does that mean?

A strong yachting CV includes:

• A professional headshot (yes, a proper one — no selfies or car pics)

• Personal information relevant to yachting (certifications, passport, visa status)

• Certifications clearly listed — STCW, ENG1, Food & Hygiene Level 2, etc.

• Layout that reflects the order of importance for recruiters

• Career objectives and availability

Your CV needs to speak the language of the industry. Anything less looks unprepared — even if your experience is gold.

Fix it:

Use a layout tailored for the yachting world. Not sure how to structure it? I’ve created a free checklist that walks you through it all — more on that below.

2. It’s Visually Messy or Hard to Read

Recruiters are scanning. Fast. If they can’t pick out the key details in 5–10 seconds, they’re moving on.

Common layout killers:

• Fonts that are too small, hard to read, or overly stylised

• No clear headings or sections

• Walls of text with no bullet points

• Unclear dates or job roles that blend into each other

• No white space

Your CV needs to be easy on the eyes. Think of it like setting a table on charter — precision, elegance, and no crumbs of chaos.

Fix it:

Choose a clean, simple font (Calibri, Helvetica, Arial), use bold headers, and break everything into digestible chunks. A great rule? If a 10-year-old can’t read it quickly, it’s too complicated.

3. It Lacks Purpose and Personality

You might think, “It’s just a CV — why does it need personality?”

Here’s why: In an industry that lives and breathes teamwork, energy, and guest experience — your vibe matters.

When a recruiter scans your CV, they’re asking:

• Why does this person want to be in yachting?

• What are they like to work with?

• Will they be an asset to the team?

If your personal profile is generic or missing altogether, you’ve missed an opportunity to connect.

Fix it:

Add a short personal profile at the top. It should include:

• Who you are

• Why you’re passionate about this career path

• What value you bring to a team

• A sentence about your availability or flexibility

This is not fluff. It’s the human touch that sets your CV apart.

Bonus Tip: You’re Not Tailoring Your CV

If you’re applying for a deckhand job with a CV that talks only about cocktail service and turn-downs… you’ve already lost. Every role is different. Show you’ve read the job post and that you match it. A tweak to your profile or experience can go a long way.

Want to Make Sure Your CV Doesn’t Get Skipped?

I’ve created a free CV checklist for new crew breaking into yachting. It’s packed with insider tips, must-haves, and formatting tricks that hiring managers actually want to see.

✅ Check if your CV has all the essential elements

✅ Avoid common formatting mistakes

✅ Get noticed — not overlooked

Download it here: Yachting CV Checklist For New Crew

(Only available for a limited time)

Final Thoughts

Your CV is your calling card. It’s your first impression, your pitch, your “hire me!” handshake — all in one page. If you want to stand out in a sea of candidates, you’ve got to show up like you already belong.

You don’t need to have 10 years of yachting under your belt — but you do need to present yourself like a pro.