Viking Cruises - Event sponsor

Top Tips for Attending a Cruise Job Fair

Here are a few of our top tips for how to be successful when attending a job fair:


Before the job fair:

1. Upload your CV

Please upload a copy of your CV to the Cruise Job Fair website a few days before the job fair. You will receive an email with the CV upload link several days before the event. This will enable the recruiters to easily download it in case they want to invite you to a full job interview after the event.

2. Do your homework

Research everything you can about the companies that you are interested in working for. Don't forget that most attending recruitment agencies work with several cruise lines so they may be able to help you find a job with the cruise line of your choice.

3. Be prepared

Interview preparation will help you to stand out from other candidates. Do your homework on what you might be asked and practice your answers out loud!

4. Bring a list of questions

Have a couple of questions ready so that you look keen - but don't ask questions that you should already know the answers to, otherwise you will look unprepared!

5. Plan your travel

Check your travel plans in advance so that you know how to get to the venue. You don't want to get lost on the day. Find the directions to the venue on your ticket.

On the day:

1. Dress for success

Treat the event as you would a job interview and dress smartly. Pay attention to hair, make up, tattoos, etc. Ideally bring some sort of professional bag or folder to hold any papers, copies of your CV, pen, etc. This way you will look organised and well put together.

2. Bring copies of your CV

Bring enough copies for each company that you want to meet and hand them out at your face to face meetings. We recommend 10 printed copies of your CV should be enough.

3. Have your ticket ready

Keep your ticket with you throughout the day (either on your phone or a printed copy) as some recruiters will want to scan it when they meet you.

4. Plan your day

Recruiters and exhibitors will be at the event from 11am to 4pm so don't worry about having to be first through the door, there will be plenty of time to meet them. Unless you were advised otherwise, you can come any time after 11am and stay for as long as you wish, until the event ends at 4pm.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here is a list of questions and answers to help you plan your visit and get the most out of your day:



What is a Cruise Job Fair?

A Cruise Job Fair is a unique opportunity for cruise ship candidates to meet and talk to a number of cruise line recruiters face-to-face, all in one location in one day. It is NOT a job interview, more like a ‘pre-job interview’. If you are successful on the day then you may be invited for an interview at a later date.

Who is the Cruise Job Fair for?

The Cruise Job Fair is open to everyone who would like to work on a cruise ship and is able to travel to the event location to meet the recruiters in person on that day.

How do I register for a Cruise Job Fair?

It is quick and easy to register for a Cruise Job Fair. Simply click on the ‘Get Your Free Ticket’ button on the relevant job fair location page and fill out the form with your details and which job roles you are interested in.

What can I do to prepare for a Cruise Job Fair?

Treat the job fair as you would a job interview and prepare yourself in advance. Dress smartly, have several copies of your CV printed out, prepare a brief introduction of yourself and think about any questions that you might want to ask. Research the companies that will be there and that you would like to meet.

What shall I bring with me?

You will need to bring a copy of your ticket (either a printed copy or on your smartphone) as this will be scanned when you arrive. You should also bring several printed copies of your CV to hand out (enough for all the recruiters that you would like to meet - we recommend 10 copies). You might also want to bring a drink and snack with you although there is normally a snack bar available.

What should I wear?

Dress smartly as you would for any interview. If you have a uniform related to your job, then you should come in that. Or if you are an entertainer with a specific stage outfit, then you will be sure to stand out from the crowd if you wear that!

How many copies of my CV should I bring with me?

Bring enough copies of your CV for all of the companies that you would like to see on the day. You can check the CJF website to see who will be attending and what type of candidates they are looking for. This will help you to plan your day and work out how many copies to bring. We recommend 10 copies should be enough for most job fairs.

Why do I need to upload my CV in advance?

There is no need to upload your CV to this website if you signed up for job fairs in South Africa. We already uploaded a copy of your CV from All Cruise Jobs so you don't have to do anything.

Do I need to print out my ticket?

You can either print your ticket out or have it ready on your smartphone. The barcode on your ticket will be scanned when you arrive at check-in so you need to have it ready to show our reception team.

How do I get there?

You can find the location details of the venue on your ticket. Please do not share it with anyone as this is confidential. Only candidates with valid tickets will get access to the venue.

Who will pay for my travel?

It is your responsibility to pay for your own travel to the Cruise Job Fair.

What time should I arrive?

The event opens at 11.00 and finishes at 16.00. Unless you were told otherwise, you are welcome to come at any time between those times.

Can you help me to get a visa?

Unfortunately, we cannot help any candidates to get a visa to travel to the job fair (if required). This is your own responsibility.

How do I check in?

At 11.00 the check-in desk will open and you will need to have your ticket ready for scanning. Our reception team will scan your ticket and print out a label for you to stick to yourself – the recruiters will then scan this label when you meet them so that they can keep track of everyone they meet on the day.

How long should I stay for?

You are welcome to stay until 16.00. It depends on how many companies you would like to meet and how long the queues are on the day. Some people arrive at 11.00 and stay for the whole day. Others come and will be finished within a couple of hours.

How do I know which companies will want to meet me?

You will be given a copy of the ‘Exhibitor Guide’ on arrival. This contains a floor plan of all the companies at the event and a brief description on who they would like to meet. You can spend some time looking through this and checking which companies are looking for the roles you are interested in applying for. You can also find these details on the Cruise Job Fair website before the event, so you can also plan this in advance and avoid wasting time standing in the wrong queue.

How long will I get with each recruiter?

Cruise Job Fairs are very busy events and there will be queues to meet the recruiters. You will normally only get a few minutes to chat with each recruiter so make sure you make a good impression!

What questions should I ask?

Take some time to plan ahead and think about what questions you would like to ask the recruiters. If you have researched each company that you would like to meet, then you should also think about some questions specific to that company.

Will I get a job offer?

Our research shows that attending a Cruise Job Fair is 10 times more effective than applying for a job online. However, there is no guarantee that you will get a job offer as a result of attending. It will depend on you, your CV and experience, what the recruiters are looking for, what opportunities are available, etc.

Where shall I stay?

It is up to you if you decide to stay over in the city where the job fair is taking place. It is your responsibility to book and pay for this yourself. We always try to use venues that are close to good transport links and accommodation options.

Will there be food and drink available?

There is normally a café or restaurant at the venues that host the job fairs. You may also want to bring a bottle of water and snack with you.

When can I leave the Cruise Job Fair?

You are welcome to leave at any time during the event. The job fair finishes at 16.00 but if you have seen everyone that you wanted to see before that time, then you can of course leave earlier. You can also check in, leave the venue for a break, and then come back in.

When will I hear from the recruiters?

Recruiters will contact suitable candidates to invite them for a job interview – this could be any time on the same day as the job fair, or up to a few days later. The interviews may take place in person or via Skype.