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Five Tips for a Great Maritime Job Interview

The preparation that separates the candidate who gets an offer from the one who was equally qualified.

Whether it's your first onshore maritime role or a step into a leadership position at a major shipping company, the job interview is your moment. Preparation is everything. Here are five tips that will set you apart.

1. Research the Company — Deeply

Maritime companies talk about culture, fleet types, trade routes, sustainability targets, and financial results. Before your interview:

Know their fleet size and types
Understand what trade lanes or segments they operate in
Read their latest press releases, sustainability reports, or industry news mentions
If they're publicly listed, glance at their most recent annual report

Knowing that "Maersk is transitioning to green methanol vessels" or "your company recently acquired a new offshore wind support vessel" shows genuine interest and industry intelligence.

2. Prepare for Technical AND Behavioral Questions

Maritime interviews combine both. Expect:

Technical: "Walk me through how you'd handle an HSQE audit failure on board."

Behavioral: "Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a senior officer. How did you handle it?"

Use the STAR method for behavioral answers:

Situation
Task
Action
Result

3. Ask Smart Questions

Never end an interview without questions. Good ones include:

"What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?"
"How does the team handle communication between shore-based and vessel operations?"
"What are the company's plans around digitalization and automation?"

Avoid asking about salary or holidays in the first interview.

4. Dress Appropriately — Know the Culture

Maritime offices across the world vary in dress code:

Nordic countries: Smart casual is fine. Over-dressing can signal you don't understand the culture.
UK/US: Smart business dress for corporate offices.
Singapore, Dubai, Greece (Piraeus): Conservative and professional attire expected.
For video interviews: Ensure your background is clean and professional. Dress fully — not just the top half.

5. Follow Up With Gratitude

Within 24 hours, send a short email thanking the interviewer for their time. Reference one specific point from the conversation. This is still rare enough in maritime that it makes a lasting impression.

Pro Tip: Record yourself doing a mock interview. It's uncomfortable — and that's exactly why it works. You'll catch filler words, nervous habits, and unclear answers before the real thing.

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