Welcome back, and here's why I'm so passionate about today's episode. I've seen so many crew who have said, "I'll start job searching when I'm home," and then vacation comes and you're exhausted. You need family time, you just want to relax and settle into the groove, and then suddenly those six to eight weeks fly by and no job searching gets done. Nothing is ready. And that's how, of course, you end up signing one more contract that you didn't really want to do. And then another, because the pressure to earn and the fear of not being prepared kicks in.

So let's break the cycle. The earlier you start your job searching process, even in tiny steps, the easier and less overwhelming this whole thing feels later.

I know when I was still on board, I fell into this trap big time. I kept saying vacation is when I'll figure it out. My brain is so busy while I'm here on board, my role is so busy, so I'll do it when I get home. But when I got home, all I wanted to do was rest. All I wanted to do was switch my brain off and not have to engage it. I wanted peace. I wanted to do anything but work. And so by the time I decided to open my laptop, it was nearly time to pack my suitcase again and head back on contract. That delay kept me on ships a year longer than I wanted. So this comes from experience, and I don't want that for you.

So let's look at five smart moves you can do on board right now.

Number One: Update Your LinkedIn Profile, Even If It's Basic

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful platforms for job seekers, and if you're moving from ship to shore, think of it as your new gangway. Recruiters live there. They use LinkedIn to find candidates, and if you're not on it, they can't find you. Jobs are posted there, and many companies post roles on LinkedIn before they even hit the job boards. It works while you sleep. A good profile can get you seen by recruiters without you even applying. And it builds your personal brand, because employers check to see who you are beyond your resume. It's not just another social media app. It's your land life visibility tool, and it can open doors before you even leave ships.

Here's the good news: it doesn't have to be perfect. You just need to start.

Add your current ship role and department. Upload a decent photo, not in uniform if possible, and make sure it looks professional. No sunglasses on, no sunglasses on top of the head, a clean background. You want it to look professional.

Add a headline to your profile. Think of your headline as what you want someone to know in that three second glance at your profile. For example, if you work in guest services, you could write something like "Guest Experience Specialist | Problem Solver | Skilled in High-Pressure Service Environments." If you work in food and beverage, you could put "Hospitality Leader | F&B Operations | Delivering Excellence in Fast-Paced Global Environments." For entertainment, something like "Engagement and Events Specialist | Public Speaking | Audience Experience Expert." Even for housekeeping, you could put "Operational Excellence | Quality Control Expert in High-Standard Service Environments." That's the kind of thing that makes someone stop and think, okay, I know what this person is all about.

Then update your About Me section. Start with what lights you up, what you've learned, and what you want to bring to your next role. Keep it human, keep it clear, and keep it forward focused.

For example, if you work in guest services, a great About Me could be: "I'm passionate about creating experiences guests remember for all the right reasons. With eight-plus years in guest services on international cruise ships, I've learned how to handle high-pressure situations, solve problems fast, and keep service standards at the highest level, even when things get unpredictable. I bring the same energy and professionalism to every team I join on land."

Or if you work in entertainment: "For the past seven years I've been the person with a mic in hand, engaging hundreds of guests from all over the world, whether hosting events, troubleshooting tech issues on the fly, or making sure everyone walks away with a smile. Now I'm excited to use those same communication and adaptability skills to help build brands, teams, and audience connections on land."

You can see how forward focused that is. It's just telling a short story about you.

If you are invisible on LinkedIn, you are missing opportunity. So today, this afternoon, tonight, wherever you are, grab your phone and update one thing, whether it's your headline, your current job, or your photo. Just one step is progress.

Number Two: Make a List of Ten Roles You Are Curious About

You can't aim at a blank wall. If you don't know what roles interest you, your brain will stay in that loop of "I don't know what I want." So don't think about your dream job or what you should be doing. Just start asking what jobs sound even slightly interesting.

Use your limited wifi to search job boards or LinkedIn and write down ten roles, any roles that grab your attention, even if you don't feel qualified yet. This list gives your brain something to work with. It shifts you from confusion to curiosity, and curiosity is where clarity begins.

Set a timer for 15 minutes on your next port day. Open up LinkedIn Jobs and scroll. Don't overthink it. If it sounds interesting, add it to your list.

Number Three: Build a Simple Skills Inventory

This one will make your life so much easier later on, and you'll be so thankful you did it now. Your skills are in your head because you're using them every day. But later, when you're at home and you're tired, or starting to feel a little panicky or overwhelmed about applications, you won't want to dig through memories. So let's start now.

Grab your notes app or a scrap of paper and answer just these two questions: What tasks do you do every day, and what do those tasks prove about you?

For example, if you manage safety drills, that task proves you have leadership and crisis management. If you handle 300 guests at embarkation, that proves you have communication and stress management skills. If you train new crew, that shows coaching and mentorship.

These are gold when you're writing resumes and preparing for interviews. And while you're still in it, you can see it clearly, so you can write it down easily. The bonus is you'll start realising just how valuable you already are. That's a feel-good thing right there.

Tonight, write down three daily tasks and what they show about your skills. That's all.

Number Four: Clean Up Your Digital Footprint

Here's something people often forget: employers Google you. If your Facebook or Instagram is full of crew bar shots or rants about managers, it could cost you a job.

Does this mean you have to delete everything? No. But make private what you don't want recruiters to see. Update your main photos so you look like someone worth hiring. Because you're not just applying for jobs, you're also building a personal brand. A clean digital footprint shows professionalism, and that's what can set you apart from other candidates.

Number Five: Set Job Alerts

This is the easiest win of all. Go onto Indeed, or whichever major job platform is popular in your home country, or onto LinkedIn, and set up alerts for the roles on your curiosity list. That way, jobs start coming to you.

You'll start to see what's out there, what salaries look like, and what skills employers are looking for. You get a really clear view of what's being asked for without doom scrolling. You don't have to go searching. The jobs come to you. And when you're ready to apply, you'll already know the landscape.

Can you see how simple these five steps are? None of them require hours of time or perfect wifi. You can do one on your lunch break, on a port day, while chilling with a coffee, or lying on your bed in your cabin.

Don't wait until you're home to start job hunting. Start these small micro steps now, because the difference is you'll start to feel in control, versus feeling desperate later when you're trying to do it all at once.