The Art of Cv Writing

So often, we read a CV that tells us the bare minimum about what a person does and who they are.

And yet, writing a CV is one of the hardest things to do how do you condense years of experience, adaptability, and personality onto a single page for a stranger to read?

Today, while reviewing my own CV, I realised it doesn’t remotely do justice to what’s actually required when working onboard. How could it? No role on any yacht is the same from one day to the next. One day you’re a problem solver; the next, you’re an entertainer for the guests regardless of your job title. Every role demands versatility and adaptability. But how do you capture that on a one page CV?

Gone are the days when being a good sailor alone got you the job. In 2026, a deckhand is expected to be a sailor, drone pilot, fisherman, entertainer, and logistics specialist sometimes all in the same week.

Then it clicked: the key to a strong CV is relevance. Something that stands out and aligns with the needs of the vessel. For example: “On my last vessel, I worked alongside the leadership team to prepare the yacht for both class and flag surveys.”

A captain recruiting for a First Mate or Chief Engineer might read that and think, Our flag survey is next year, extra experience is always valuable. That CV goes into the shortlist pile.

No CV is ever perfect, it’s deeply personal. Some recruiters insist the photo should be on the right, not the left. Does it really matter? I don’t think so. A CV should be a true reflection of your career to date, your skill set, and what you bring to a vessel.

And then there’s what I believe is the most overlooked section: interests and hobbies. We live where we work, so fitting into the existing crew dynamic matters. Some yachts have a big party culture and that’s not a bad thing. At 18, as a deckhand, that’s exactly what I wanted.

Now, in my mid-twenties, a perfect crew day is yoga, a hike, and a cold plunge. Putting that on my CV might rule me out of one yacht but make me the perfect fit for another.

So I’ll leave this with captains, recruiters, and fellow yacht crew: What do you think the art of CV writing really is? What should it include and how do we fairly reflect the dedication and breadth of our roles on paper?

As always, keep smiling laughing and loving the sea.

Mel xo