How Can You Find a Cargo Ship Job with No Real Experience?

Eve Church
24 Aug, 2026
07 Mins read

A despondent young man looking at his laptop for maritime jobs with his chin in his hands

You’ve finished maritime academy, completed your training and gained some sea time. You’ve got certificates with your name on them, you’ve learned more maritime terminology than you ever thought possible – it’s all good stuff and you’re pumped and ready to start your career.

There’s just one small problem.

All the seafarer job vacancies you find are asking for experience.

It’s the classic, catch-22 problem facing people entering almost any industry: you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.

Fortunately, looking for your first seafarer job isn’t quite as hopeless as it might sometimes feel. Your maritime education and sea service already count for something, and there are several ways you can improve your chances of securing that all-important first contract.

Here’s where to start.

First, You Don’t Actually Have “No Experience”

If you’ve attended maritime academy and completed the required practical training or sea service, stop telling employers that you have no experience.

You haven’t been employed in a permanent role yet. That’s different.

Your education has given you knowledge of shipboard operations, safety procedures and your chosen department. Any practical training and time onboard has also given you some understanding of what working on a ship is actually like.

That matters.

When applying for entry-level maritime jobs, make sure your CV clearly explains – and bigs up - your training and practical experience.

Include relevant information such as:

Your maritime academy and course
Qualifications and certificates
Sea service or onboard training
Vessel types you’ve trained on
Relevant technical skills
Safety training
Languages spoken
Any other relevant skills or experience

Don’t exaggerate what you’ve done, but don’t undersell it either.

Look for the Right Entry-Level Seafarer Jobs

Applying for everything you see is tempting. Unfortunately, it’s not always productive.

If a vacancy specifically asks for several years of experience in a senior rank, sending your newly graduated cadet CV probably isn’t going to convince the employer to completely rethink the position.

Instead, concentrate your efforts on seafarer jobs appropriate to your current qualifications and level of experience.

Search specifically for cadet, trainee, junior and entry-level positions. Depending on your department and qualifications, you can also research the typical progression route toward the rank you eventually want.

Cargo ships employ people across deck, engine and other departments, meaning there are many different jobs on ships – particularly on cruise ships. Understanding exactly which roles you’re qualified for will make your job search much more focused.

Make Sure Your CV Is Shipshape

Yes, we went there!

Your seafarer resume is often the first impression a crewing manager or manning agent has of you, so make sure it helps rather than hurts your application.

Recruiters handling maritime jobs usually receive large numbers of applications. They need to be able to quickly find important information about you.

Keep your CV clear and easy to scan.

Your rank, qualifications, certificates, sea service, vessel experience and contact details should all be obvious. Check your spelling and make sure dates and other information are accurate.

If you’re applying internationally, straightforward English is usually better than filling your CV with complicated language.

And please give the file a sensible name. “CV_final_FINAL_new2.pdf” isn’t the end of the world, but “Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf” looks considerably more professional.

Better still, create a Martide account and fill in all your training, education, vessel types and personal information in your profile - it’s like an online resume for seafarers. Then, when you apply for seafarer job vacancies through Martide, your info will be sent directly to the employer or manning agent

Keep Your Certificates and Documents Organized

Finding your first few jobs at sea often involves plenty of paperwork.

Before you start seriously applying, check that your important documents are valid, up to date and easy to access.

Depending on your role and circumstances, these might include your passport, seaman’s book, STCW certificates, medical certificate, licenses, endorsements and other training documentation.

Different companies, flags, vessel types and roles may have different requirements, so always check the individual vacancy.

Being organized means that when an employer asks for a document, you can provide it quickly instead of beginning a frantic search through approximately 4,000 photos on your phone.

And again, this is something that Martide can help with, as you’ll also be able to upload all of those documents into your seafarer profile. This means that they’re at hand and employers can access them immediately.

Be Flexible About Your First Vessel

You might have a dream company or vessel type in mind.

There’s nothing wrong with having a career goal. But your first contract may not look exactly like the career you imagined while you were studying in maritime college.

Being flexible can significantly increase your options when searching for jobs on ships.

Consider different:

Vessel types
Shipping companies
Contract lengths
Trading areas
Routes
Joining ports

Naturally, you should only accept legitimate roles for which you are properly qualified. But being open-minded about your first opportunity can help you start building the experience employers want.

Once you’ve spent more time working at sea, you can make more deliberate decisions about the direction you want your career to take.

Apply Through Reputable Crewing Companies and Job Platforms

There are many ways to search for jobs at sea, including maritime job websites, crewing agencies and shipping companies’ own careers pages.

Create profiles on reputable platforms (hello, that’s us!) and make sure they’re complete. An unfinished profile with missing certificates and outdated availability information isn’t going to make life easier for a recruiter.

You should also research shipping companies that operate the vessel types you’re interested in and check their careers pages regularly.

Be careful about maritime job scams. Legitimate employers and crewing agencies should be transparent about who they are and what role they’re recruiting for.

Be particularly cautious if somebody asks you for suspicious payments in exchange for securing employment. When you’re eager to start working on a ship, an offer can be exciting, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking whether it’s genuine.

At Martide, we never ask seafarers for any type of payment or fee – and we never will.

Network With People from Your Maritime Academy

You already know people in the industry, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet.

Your classmates, lecturers, instructors and people you met during your sea service are the beginning of your professional maritime network.

Stay in touch with them.

A former classmate might hear that a company is recruiting cadets. An instructor might know which employers are currently offering entry-level seafarer jobs. Someone you sailed with during training might be able to point you toward a crewing department.

But networking doesn’t mean messaging everyone you’ve ever met with “GIVE ME A JOB PLEASE.”

Stay professional. Ask for advice, keep in contact, let people know that you’re actively looking and you should be on your way to kickstarting your career at sea!

Keep Learning While You’re Looking

Searching for maritime jobs can take time, especially when you’re trying to secure your first contract.

Use that time productively.

Refresh your technical knowledge, practice your English if necessary and research different vessel types. You can also prepare for common interview questions and learn more about the companies you’re applying to.

The transition from studying maritime operations to actually working at sea is significant. The more prepared you are, the easier that transition may be.

It also gives you something positive to discuss during interviews. Showing that you’ve continued learning while looking for employment demonstrates motivation.

Don’t Take Rejection Personally

You will probably receive rejections.

You will also probably send applications and hear absolutely nothing back.

That’s frustrating, but it doesn’t automatically mean you’re doing something wrong.

Competition for entry-level jobs at sea can be high, and companies may receive many applications for a single vacancy. Sometimes another candidate simply has experience that more closely matches what the employer needs.

Keep applying, but also review your approach occasionally.

Are you applying for suitable roles? Is your seafarer resume and cover letter up to scratch? Are your documents current? Are your online profiles complete? Are you checking vacancies regularly?

Persistence works better when it’s combined with strategy.

Your First Contract is the Beginning

Securing your first contract can feel like the biggest hurdle in your maritime career.

Once you’re onboard, concentrate on learning.

Ask sensible questions. Listen to experienced crew members. Take safety seriously. Be reliable. Learn how different departments interact and pay attention to how the vessel operates beyond your immediate responsibilities. In other words, practice great seamanship.

Working on a ship is very different from learning about one in a classroom, and nobody expects a new cadet or junior crew member to know everything.

What employers will expect is professionalism, willingness to learn and the right attitude.

The experience you gain from that first contract will strengthen your seafarer CV and make future applications for jobs on ships easier.

Before long, you won’t be trying to convince employers that your training counts as experience. You’ll have genuine professional experience of working at sea to add to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Get a Cargo Ship Job Without Previous Employment Experience?

Yes. Entry-level seafarer jobs are designed for people beginning their maritime careers. Your qualifications, training and completed sea service are relevant experience, even if you haven’t previously held a paid position onboard.

Where Should I Look for Entry-Level Maritime Jobs?

Check reputable maritime recruitment platforms – such as Martide, crewing agencies and shipping company careers pages. Focus on maritime jobs that match your qualifications, department and current level of experience.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Getting My First Job?

Keep your seafarer CV and documents updated, apply consistently, maintain complete profiles on reputable job platforms and be flexible about vessel types and contracts. Networking with people from maritime academy and previous training placements can also help.

What Should I Expect from My First Contract?

Your first experience of working on a ship will involve a lot of learning. Pay attention to experienced colleagues, ask appropriate questions and take your responsibilities seriously. Working at sea requires adaptability, teamwork and a strong commitment to safety.

Is It Difficult to Find Your First Job at Sea?

We won’t sugarcoat it - it can take time. Entry-level jobs at sea may attract plenty of applicants, so don’t be discouraged if you aren’t successful immediately. Target appropriate vacancies, keep your documents organized and continue applying. Your first contract is often the hardest one to secure, but it gives you the professional experience that can make your next job search easier.