Seafarers send out dozens or even hundreds of CVs to crewing agencies daily. But even experienced professionals often make the same mistakes, which can lead to their applications being overlooked. In this article, we’ll go over the most common mistakes when sending maritime CVs and give you practical tips to ensure your profile stands out.
❌ 1. Sending CVs on weekends or public holidays
It might seem like you can send your CV any time — but that’s a mistake. Managers’ inboxes are overflowing, especially on Monday mornings. If you send your email on Saturday evening, it will likely end up at the bottom of the queue.
✅ Tip:
Send your CV on weekdays and during business hours (9:00 to 17:00 CET). This increases the chance your email will be seen and opened.
❌ 2. No position mentioned in the subject line
Crewing managers receive hundreds of emails daily. The subject line is the first filter they use. If your rank isn’t clearly mentioned (e.g. “Chief Officer available from August”), your email might be ignored.
✅ Tip:
Always include your rank in the subject line. This is the first thing managers look for.
❌ 3. CVs with platform watermarks or logos
Many seafarers use CVs downloaded from job sites that include logos on every page. This looks unprofessional and signals that your CV is being mass-distributed.
✅ Tip:
Use a clean, logo-free CV. On the CREW ARIA platform, you can generate a professional CV with no third-party branding — clear, modern, and optimized for hiring managers.
❌ 4. Missing documents
Even if you have solid experience, failing to attach required documents (seaman’s passport, STCW certificates, medical) can cost you the opportunity. Managers won’t always have time to request missing files.
✅ Tip:
Always attach your CV and key documents in the same email. It speeds up your application processing.
❌ 5. Long and unstructured emails
Long-winded emails with too much text often get skipped. Managers want to see the essentials: who you are, what position you’re applying for, your availability, and whether your documents are ready.
✅ Tip:
Write a short, clear message (3–4 lines max):
👤 Name + position
🗓️ Availability date
📄 CV and documents attached
🛠️ Example: “Good day, my name is Ivan Petrov, Chief Engineer. Available from August 1. Attached CV and docs for your review.”
🟢 Conclusion:
A well-structured CV and a professional email give you a real advantage. At CREW ARIA, we’ve designed tools that help seafarers succeed: our CV builder ensures your resume looks clean and modern, and our CV distribution service delivers it at the right time with the right subject.
Don’t leave your next contract to chance — do it right from the start!
