How to Write a Maritime CV That Actually Gets Read

A CV in the maritime industry is not like a CV in other sectors. Recruiters are fast — they'll spend 10–15 seconds on your CV before deciding to read further. Here's how to make those seconds count.

The Golden Rule: One Page for Junior, Two for Senior

• 0–5 years experience: Keep it to one page. Every word must earn its place.
• 5–15+ years: Two pages is acceptable, especially for senior officers or specialists.
• Never go to three pages unless you're an academic writing a resumé for a research position.

Structure That Works in Maritime

Use this structure:

• Header — Name, location, phone, email, NextMariner profile link
• Professional Summary — 3–5 lines
• Key Skills — 6–10 bullet points
• Professional Experience — most recent first, with results
• Certificates & Training — dated and specific
• Education
• Languages

Describe Your Experience With Results

Avoid vague phrases. Instead of: "Responsible for ship maintenance"

Write: "Managed planned maintenance system (PMS) for a fleet of 6 vessels, reducing off-hire time by 18% over 2 years."

Numbers, outcomes, and scope make your experience real and credible.

Tailor Every CV

Yes, every time. Read the job description carefully and mirror the language. If the employer uses the word "fleet operations," use that — not "vessel management." ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) are increasingly used even by maritime companies, and keyword matching matters.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a photo (in some countries — see country-specific advice below)
• Including references on the CV (say "available on request")
• Listing duties, not achievements
• Outdated or expired certificates left unlabelled
• Generic CVs sent to every company

Country-Specific Note

• Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway): CVs are typically short, factual, and modestly written. Danes and Norwegians avoid self-promotion — let the facts speak. No photo is expected.
• Singapore / Asia-Pacific: A professional photo is often expected. Formal tone, clear hierarchical experience.
• Middle East: Include nationality and languages. A photo may help. Formal and respectful tone is expected.
• UK/US: No photo. Action verbs, results-oriented language. Keep it concise.

Pro Tip: Save your CV as a PDF unless instructed otherwise. It preserves formatting across all devices and operating systems.