Getting a good reference, and giving one

A reference is the part of your profile an employer trusts most, because it is the only part you did not write. On Crew HQ a reference counts once the person who gave it has confirmed it.

How it works

1. You add a reference on your profile: the yacht or company, your role, the dates, and your referee's name and email address.
2. Crew HQ emails the referee. They press one button, with no account and no password, confirm it, add a few words if they wish and give star ratings for things like seamanship, safety and punctuality.
3. The reference is marked as checked and you are told. It is free, for every member.

Who to ask

• The person you reported to: captain, mate, chief stew, chief engineer, head chef.
• Someone who saw you work for more than a few days.
• From outside yachting, a manager, not a friend.

Ask before you add them, and ask which email address they read. A reference sent to an address nobody opens stays unconfirmed.

How many

One reference completes a profile. Two or three, from different employers, read better to a captain. Newest first.

What makes one good

Specifics. "Ran the deck on a 45 metre charter yacht for two Mediterranean seasons, drove both tenders, never late" tells an employer something. "Great guy, hard worker" does not. If your referee asks what to write, remind them what you actually did.

Privacy

Your referees' contact details are not shown on your private Crew HQ Me link. Employers with Professional Membership who open your full profile see who gave each reference.

Giving a reference

If a crew member names you, the email you receive has one button. You can confirm, decline, or ask to be removed as a referee. Captains using My Crew can also write a reference for crew who move on, straight onto their profile.

Already have references on your CV? Email the CV to [email protected] and they are added to your profile for you to complete.