How to read a Crew HQ profile and check references
A profile is quicker to read than a CV once you know where to look. This is the order experienced captains use.
1. Title, experience, location, availability
The top of the profile: the position they are looking for, how many seasons they have, where they are now and whether they are available. If these four do not fit, move on.
2. The marks
- Premium: the member pays for their profile. It tells you they are actively looking.
- Professional: a member who hires.
- Verified: a mark shown on profiles that meet Crew HQ's conditions for it.
3. Experience and vessels
Look for length of stay. Two full seasons on one yacht says more than six boats in two years. Check the dates join up.
4. References
Each reference shows whether the referee has confirmed it. Confirmation is by email from the referee's own address, with star ratings for seamanship, safety, communication, service, punctuality, presentation and whether they would employ the person again. An unconfirmed reference is only the crew member's word.
5. Certificates and documents
With Professional Membership you see the certificates the member has stored and their expiry dates. Crew HQ records what the member uploaded. It does not check a certificate with the body that issued it.
6. The CV
Download the CV the member has chosen to hand out: the one Crew HQ builds from the profile, or their own file.
What you see without Professional
Photo, first name, position and experience. The full profile, CV, references and contact details open with Professional Membership.
The checks that are yours
- Speak to at least one referee yourself.
- See the original certificates and medical before the crew member joins, and check the dates.
- Confirm the right to work for your flag and cruising area.
Crew HQ is not an agency and does not vet crew for you. It gives you the profile, the confirmed references and a direct line.
Keeping track
Shortlist the crew you like, ask whether they are available with one click, and find them again under My shortlisted crew.
Questions people ask
Is Crew HQ a crew agency?
No. Nobody sits between crew and the person hiring. Employers search, open a profile and get in touch directly. There is no placement fee and no commission, for crew or for employers.
How do I post a job?
The quickest way is by email: write the position as you would in a message, or forward one you already have, to [email protected] from the email address of your Crew HQ account. It is laid out as an advert on your account, with the vessel, start date, salary and qualifications picked out. The first time, Crew HQ emails you to confirm it is you; after that your jobs go live when you send them.
Or add it on the site. Posting is free on every membership.
What does it cost to hire through Crew HQ?
Posting a job is free, and crew who are interested reach you with their profile, CV and references. There is no placement fee. Professional Membership (£150 a year or £25 a month) opens every crew profile in full, with CV downloads, checked references and direct contact, so that you can search and approach crew yourself.
Can I search the crew database?
Yes: search crew by position, experience and location. Anyone can search and see photos, first names and positions. Full profiles, CVs and contact details open with Professional Membership.
I am always looking for good crew. Can I say so without posting a job?
Yes. On Edit profile, under Recruitment, tick the positions you hire for and add the yacht type and size. You are then listed under "Who is hiring" on the jobs page and on the job map, and matching crew are shown to you.
More help on this
Put it to work on Crew HQ
For crewBe found by the people who hire
One profile for your CV, references, certificates and availability. Captains and managers search it directly.
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For captains and recruitersHire without a middleman
Search crew by role, experience and location, open full profiles and contact them yourself.
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A free page in the yachting directory and a pin on the service map. Upgrade when you want more.
List your companyWho you know gets you the job
In yachting, who you know matters. On Crew HQ the crew you have worked with become your network, and your network works for you.
- Jobs reach you first
When someone in your network is hiring, you are told straight away, before the job goes to everyone else.
- Crewmates recommend you
The people you have worked with say what you are good at. Captains see it on your profile beside your references and crew rating.
- Stay in touch
You and your network see each other's contact details and where each of you is, on your own network map.
- Offers from people you know
Companies and training schools in your network send their special offers to you as they publish them.
- A month of Premium
Every 5 people who join through your Crew Link give you a month of Premium, free.
If you and everyone in your network each had 20 crew in your networks
you would be told first about jobs from up to 400 crew20 in your own network, plus 380 through theirs with Premium or Professional.
Join, and you get your own Crew Link at once. Send it to the crew you have worked with: each one who opens it is in your network.
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