Not Sure What Land Job You Can Do? Start Here.
When you’ve spent years working at sea, it’s hard to know where to begin when it comes to finding a job on land. It’s not just about handing in your resignation and applying for something new it’s about figuring out what that “something new” is. And that part? Can feel completely overwhelming.
Not because you aren’t capable as you absolutely are, but because ship life has given you a unique lifestyle and routine that doesn’t translate easily to the land-based world. And on top of that, no one taught you how to explore job options in a way that feels good.
So, let’s change that.
You don’t need to know exactly what you want yet. You don’t need to figure out your entire career path today. What you do need is a place to start, and these four practical steps will help you do just that.
1. Start With Your Transferable Skills
If you don’t know what job you want start with what you already have. Your transferable skills are the skills you’ve gained onboard that apply to jobs on land even if the industry or job title is completely different. These are the things that aren’t role-specific, like problem solving, time management, customer service, sales, leadership, conflict resolution, logistics, attention to detail, and so many more.
The reason transferable skills are a great starting point is simple: they make it easier. It’s not about what job yet. It’s about what you bring and how that value can transfer to a land-based role.
If you’re unsure what your transferable skills are, don’t worry most crew are. That’s why I’ve written a full blog on how to spot your transferable skills. It’ll walk you through what to look for and how to match them with land-based jobs.
And remember, you’ve worked in a high-pressure, international, service-driven environment. You know how to handle people. You know how to stay calm. You know how to solve problems, follow structure, and keep going no matter how tired you are. That’s not small.
2. Ask Yourself: Do I Want a Job or a Career?
This is one of the most helpful questions you can ask yourself early on. Are you looking for a job that gives you income, stability, and routine while you figure out what’s next? Or are you ready to step into a new career something with purpose and long-term growth?
There’s no right answer but knowing which one you’re aiming for helps you focus your energy.
If it’s a job, you’ll be guided more by your skills, salary needs, schedule, and location. If it’s a career, then you may want to invest a little more time exploring what kind of work feels meaningful to you, where your values lie, and how you want your next chapter to feel.
If you’re not sure, start by asking:
- Do I want to build something long-term or just get a job for now?
- Am I looking to stay in a similar type of work or change completely?
- What kind of day-to-day lifestyle am I craving?
Clarity here makes the next steps much easier. And if you don’t know yet that’s okay too. The key is just knowing which path you’re choosing for now.
3. Know Your Salary Needs and Search From There
Most ship crew worry they won’t earn as much on land as they did onboard and that’s completely valid. A big part of why many people join ships is the pay and savings potential. So, when thinking about life on land, your next question might be Can I earn enough? Instead of guessing or fearing the worst, use salary as a practical filter to guide your research.
First, get clear on what you need to earn. Create a rough budget for your land life. Consider rent or mortgage/rent, transport, food, family, healthcare, debt, monthly subscriptions, entertainment, and any personal costs. Then go to your country’s main job search websites and type in your salary target nothing else. Let the platform show you the range of jobs that match what you need to earn. This does two things:
- It shows you what kind of work pays that much in your region.
- It helps you assess whether your salary expectations are realistic or need adjusting.
Explore roles that can be possible with your current skills or seeing what might require upskilling. No guessing. No wishful thinking. Just facts that help guide your next move. This isn’t about locking yourself in it’s about starting from what matters most to you and making informed choices from there.
4. Think About the Lifestyle You Want on Land
It’s not just about money. It’s about the way your day will feel and how you want to be living your land life. You have spent 24/7 in a ship environment, there will be moments where you will have dreamt about what you do want when you live on land so bring these thoughts to the forefront, as yes money is important but also being happy and aligned is too.
Start asking:
- Do I want to work full-time or part-time?
- Do I want to work from home or in person?
- Am I okay commuting, or do I want something close?
- Do I enjoy working in a team or more independently?
- What kind of energy do I want to bring home after work each day?
- How much time and flexibility do I want for family, hobbies, or rest?
Then go to your job search platform and browse using these filters. Don’t apply. Just explore. You’ll start to notice which roles feel good and which ones don’t. This kind of browsing is one of the easiest ways to start connecting your onboard experience with the real-world options around you as it brings your land life into focus not just your work life.
Once you’ve explored job options based on salary and lifestyle, circle back to your transferable skills. Now you’re ready to connect the dots.
Want help matching your skills to land jobs?
Grab the free guide - 100 Land-Based Jobs That Ship Crew Can Do.
It’s the simplest way to see how your ship life experience translates into jobs that make sense for you.
Click Here For The Guide
