How to Stay Motivated When Searching for a Maritime Job

Here at Martide we quite often hear from seafarers, either by email or on our social media accounts, who are looking for a maritime job and who are feeling the frustration of not being able to find employment. 

The maritime industry offers exciting and rewarding careers at sea, but breaking into the field especially as a new seafarer can feel like a daunting challenge. With intense competition, stringent qualifications, and sometimes long waiting periods between job openings, it’s not uncommon for maritime job seekers to feel frustrated or disheartened. 

But whether you’re at the beginning of your seafarer career or you’ve been searching for a job at sea for a while, staying motivated is crucial for maintaining momentum and eventually landing the right opportunity.

In this blog post, we’ll explore practical ways to stay motivated during your maritime job search. We’ll also offer you tips to help you stay positive, build resilience, and make your journey smoother even when the road to the port feels like a long one.

Tips for staying motivated during a lengthy maritime job search

Not all of these tips might work for you, but we hope that at least a couple of them will help you stay upbeat when the search for a seafarer job is starting to get you down.

Set realistic and achievable goals

One of the best ways to stay motivated is by breaking down your larger maritime career aspirations into smaller, more manageable steps. If your ultimate goal is to become a Master or Chief Engineer, it’s essential to recognize that this won’t happen overnight. 

Setting smaller, achievable goals along the way such as earning a specific certification, applying to a certain number of jobs each week, or improving a particular skill can give you a sense of progress and accomplishment.

By focusing on the steps you can take in the short term, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and more in control of your seafarer job search. Each small win will give you a boost of motivation and reinforce your belief that you’re making progress, even if you haven’t landed your dream job yet.

Examples of goals

• Apply to five new seafarer jobs by the end of the week
• Connect with three industry professionals on LinkedIn
• Update your online seaman resume and tailor it to specific roles
• Complete an online course related to maritime safety or technical skills

Trying to take on too much at once is only setting yourself up for failure, so be rational about what you will and won’t be able to achieve in the here and now.

How Martide can help: When you create a Martide account you’ll have access to your personal seafarer profile. This is similar to an online resume for a seaman. Fill in all of your personal details, education and employment history and upload your documents to be able to start applying for any of our maritime job vacancies.

Read more: What to Do When You Can't Find an Entry-Level Seafarer Job

Embrace continuous learning

The shipping industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies, regulations, and standards being introduced regularly. As a maritime job seeker, this presents an opportunity to stand out by staying up to date and improving your skills. 

While waiting for job opportunities to arise, consider using your time productively by gaining new certifications, brushing up on relevant regulations, or taking courses that align with your career goals.

For seafarers, there are many certifications, such as STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping), that can significantly enhance your employability. If you’re struggling to secure a job on a ship, investing in additional training or taking specialized courses can make you more competitive and open doors to new roles.

Suggested activities

• Enroll in a relevant maritime certification program
• Take online courses in areas like navigation, engineering, or safety management
• Attend industry webinars or virtual conferences
• Learn about emerging technologies such as autonomous ships or green shipping practices

The more knowledge and skills you acquire, the more confident and motivated you’ll feel in your job search. Plus, continuous learning will help keep your mind engaged and focused on your long-term goals.

Stay organized with a seafarer job search routine

Searching for a maritime job can be a long process, and it’s easy to become disorganized or overwhelmed when you’re juggling multiple applications. One of the best ways to stay motivated is by creating a structured job search routine that helps you stay on track.

Dedicate specific hours each day to job hunting, whether that’s researching seafarer job boards, updating your resume and cover letter, or sending out applications. Having a clear plan of action can make the process feel less chaotic and more manageable. 

Moreover, sticking to a routine creates a sense of discipline, helping you avoid burnout by providing set breaks and times to recharge.

Tips for staying organized

• Use a spreadsheet to track your applications, deadlines, and follow-up dates
• Set aside time for networking, such as reaching out to people in the maritime industry
• Create a calendar for interviews, recruitment events, and webinars
• Break your tasks into smaller, timed activities (e.g., 30 minutes of CV updating, one hour of searching job boards)
• Use a mobile seafarer job app to find and apply for jobs while you’re on the move

Maintaining a routine not only keeps you focused but also creates a sense of accomplishment. When you can check off tasks daily, it helps reinforce the progress you’re making.

How Martide can help: Download our mobile maritime job app - it’s the easiest way to apply for jobs on ships, track your applications and communicate with Crew Managers and Manning Agents. The app is free and available on the App Store for iOS and on Google Play for Android.

Read more: 5 Ways to Make Your Search for Jobs at Sea Easier

Network, network, network

In the maritime industry, who you know can sometimes be just as important as what you know. Many jobs aren’t even advertised publicly, and networking is often key to getting your foot in the door. If you’re feeling stuck in your job search, expanding your professional network can provide fresh opportunities and new insights.

Reach out to experienced seafarers, attend maritime job fairs, join online maritime communities, and connect with professionals, such as Martide, on LinkedIn. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice or information about upcoming job opportunities - many people are willing to help those who are just starting their careers or struggling to find work.

Additionally, by engaging with maritime organizations, unions, or manning agencies, you increase your chances of hearing about job openings before they are widely advertised. Networking also allows you to stay informed about industry trends and developments, giving you an edge in interviews.

Networking ideas

• Join maritime forums, Facebook groups, or LinkedIn communities
• Attend industry-specific job fairs or networking events, even if they’re virtual
• Reach out to alumni from your maritime academy or training program
• Follow maritime companies and recruiters on social media

Building meaningful relationships within the industry not only opens doors to job opportunities but also helps keep you motivated by connecting you with people who have overcome similar struggles.

How Martide can help: You can find Martide on social media. We’re on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Bluesky, Instagram and Pinterest. We post all of our maritime job vacancies on all of these, apart from Pinterest, which is just for fun! Follow us and be among the first to know about new jobs on ships.

Maintain a positive mindset and practice self-care

Searching for a job at sea can be an emotional rollercoaster, especially when faced with rejections or long waiting periods. It’s important to recognize that setbacks are part of the process, and maintaining a positive mindset is key to staying motivated.

When negative thoughts arise, try to reframe them by focusing on what you’ve learned from each experience. For example, if you didn’t get the job you wanted, ask yourself how you can improve for the next opportunity. Each interview or application is a chance to grow, and persistence will eventually pay off.

In addition, self-care is crucial during a job search. Make time for activities that recharge you, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being will help you stay resilient, focused, and motivated throughout the process.

Tips for maintaining positivity

• Set realistic expectations and accept that finding a job takes time
• Celebrate small victories, such as completing applications or getting interviews
• Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, or mentors
• Practice stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, or journaling

Remember, every "no" brings you one step closer to a "yes." The more you can stay positive and take care of yourself, the better equipped you’ll be to persevere through the challenges of the job search.

Be adaptable and open to opportunities

While it's great to have a clear maritime career goal in mind, being too rigid in your job search can limit your opportunities. The shipping industry is vast and diverse, and sometimes roles that don’t exactly match your ideal job can still offer valuable experience.

Consider taking short-term contracts, internships, or temporary roles to gain experience, even if they aren’t your dream position or the sort of vessel you want to work on. Working on smaller boats or in entry-level seafarer jobs can help you build the skills and connections necessary to move up in the industry.

Plus, the maritime sector is known for its upward mobility - the majority of senior officers started in junior roles before advancing.

Be open to

• Temporary or contract-based positions
• Smaller companies or lesser-known shipping lines
• Roles in adjacent sectors, such as port operations, logistics, or offshore work
• Working in different locations or regions to gain diverse experience

By staying flexible and open to various opportunities, you can increase your chances of gaining valuable experience and making connections that will lead to long-term success.

Read more: How to Kickstart Your Maritime Career at Sea

 We know you can rise to the challenge!

You probably don’t need us to tell you that searching for a maritime job can be challenging, especially in a competitive industry. However, by setting clear goals, continuously learning, staying organized, networking, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can stay motivated throughout the process. 

Remember that persistence and resilience are key in any job search, and eventually, your hard work will pay off.

Whether you’re just starting your maritime career or navigating a tough job market, stay confident in your abilities, keep pushing forward, and trust that the right opportunity is on the horizon. The maritime industry is full of rewarding possibilities, and with the right mindset and strategy, you’ll find your place in it.

And don’t forget that Martide is here to connect you with reputable employers. All you need to do is to create your free account, fill in your profile / online seafarer resume, and start applying for our jobs at sea. 

Best of all, once you’ve filled in your profile, if you set it to ‘public’ Crew Managers and Manning Agents will be able to see your information and can reach out to you directly if they’re interested in talking to you about one of their maritime jobs.

We hope some of our advice and tips for staying motivated when you’re searching for a seafarer job have been helpful and we wish you the best of luck in finding your next job on a ship.

You’ve got this!