When Smooth Sailing Changes to Turbulent Seas!

For almost our entire cruise the seas have been quite calm.  One day it seemed like we were moving on glass, but last night things changed unexpectedly, at least for me.  The winds began to howl, our cabin began to roll, and closet doors began to open and close with no assistance.

So what could I do?  Secure open doors and hold on to the walls as I moved around the cabin.  Sea-sick pills were available at the front desk, but I neglected to grab me some yesterday.

 I am wondering if this situation on the high seas is a metaphor for individuals at work or seeking work.  When things get rough, what actions should you take?  When you lose your job and have problems finding another one, what is your plan?

There are many suggestions and ideas that you can find among the blogs that I have posted here.  Perhaps a review of these ideas may prepare you for a possible unexpected storm.  They are not sick-pills, but they may be helpful if a storm arrives.

Please comment in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com with your suggestions for readers when they hear or see storm warnings.

Thanks!

Glyn

Sailing on the Deep Blue Seas!

A cruise ship is really a floating vacation resort.  So what jobs are required to staff and operate such a resort?

Here is a list of jobs that I can identify:

Housekeeping: room attendants, laundry

Food and Beverage: executive chef, maitre d’, cooks, waiters

Purser and hotel staff

Casino: dealers, cashiers

Ship’s Officers: captain, engineer, electro-technology, safety

Guest services: cruise director and staff, entertainers, lecturers, art           director, shore excursions, Internet, future cruise sales, spa, medical center - doctors and nurses, boutiques, photo and video, bridge director

 

Most cruise jobs are based on employment contracts which typically range between 3 and 11 months in length. Many cruise lines use employment agencies to recruit for their job openings.  One Internet site that lists jobs openings by category is www.cruiseplacement.com.  Salary offered depends on many factors including job type, experience, and length of contract.    

 

I observed that there are very few USA citizens working on the cruise ships on which my wife and I have traveled.  Perhaps since the cruise lines recruit internationally, there are many applicants from lower cost of living areas who are willing to accept lower wages than wages paid in the USA.  In addition USA employment laws place more obligations on employers than many countries.

I have a friend, a practicing dentist, who in the past sailed with a cruise line as the crew’s dentist.  He told me that recently this service to the crew had been discontinued. 

If sailing in to many ports of call throughout the world appeals to you, perhaps you are ready for a job on a cruise ship. 

If you know someone who is working for a cruise line or have comments about cruise ship employment, please post them in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Glyn

The Texas Tenor

As Texans my wife and I were very surprised to learn that the featured entertainer on the Ocean Princess last night was from Marble Falls, Texas! His story is an inspiration to all who are seeking a successful career.

After completing his degree at The University of Texas at San Antonio earning a major in music with classical training, Preston began to work as a choir director.  He longed for an occupation he loved, and unfortunately broke-up with his girl friend.  As a diversion he and some fellow teachers and a school principal formed a band and began weekend gigs on 6^th Street in Austin.  Later he enrolled in real estate training and became a realtor just as the real estate market headed south.

Recognizing that he was unhappy with his life, his former girlfriend encouraged him to burn a CD.  She later became his manager and introduced him to one of the leading cruise ship booking agents. The happy ending is that Preston has been a very successful cruise ship performer for over four years and his former girl is now his agent, business manager, and wife!

So what is Preston’s message for individuals who are restless and unhappy with their work?  I think that it is to make the most of your talents and take the steps that lead to a satisfying and productive life.   

What is your passion? What actions should you take to achieve it? 

Please comment in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Glyn

Observations from Singapore

What a beautiful city, Singapore!  Staying at the new Marine Bay Sands Singapore, we have great views of downtown, the marina, the bay.  Opening last year, the ArtScience Museum at Bay Sands presents the Titanic Artfact Exhibition and an Andy Warhol Exhibit.  Since this blog is not a travel log, suffice to say that this is a city to visit!

While having brunch at Krazy burger, I visited with its manager. The restaurant reminded me of Chili’s and Snuffers in Dallas. I asked him about local employment.  He told me that it is difficult for merchants to find and employ Singapore citizens; however, there was an abundance of foreigners who were seeking jobs.  I inquired if he would hire me; in response, he said that I would have to be represented by an agency that would have to get approval from the Singapore government.  Consequently, we decided to take our cruise to Cape Town.

I found it interesting that like the US, there are many people who would like to immigrate to another country to improve their lives and that they are willing to work for lower wages than Singapore citizens.

As mentioned in a previous blog, the book Getting Jobs by Glyn Jordan is available on Amazon or at this link: http://www.createspacecom/3780516.  If you have a friend or relative seeking employment, this book will aid them in his/her search!

Please comment in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com concerning the employment of foreign nationals.

Thanks!

Glyn

Getting Jobs by Glyn Jordan the Book is Available!

I am pleased to announce that the book Getting Jobs by Glyn Jordan is available for purchase at the following link:

http://www.createspace.com/3780516

Thanks.  Glyn