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Finding the Correct Job

Scuba Diving jobs — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:51:07 +0000

Now that you have successfully passed your PADI Instructor Exam, it’s time to start looking for the perfect scuba job in paradise and many dive jobs are exactly that, however to use an old cliché, it’s a veritable minefield out there, and if you’re not careful, the wrong job may well cost you an arm and a leg. For this reason, it’s worth approaching prospective dive employers with a little bit of caution before gallivanting half way across the world with your dive kit.
One important thing to note is that very few of the available scuba diving jobs are advertised over the internet or at least for very long. For PADI instructors, an employment forum is available on their website but a quick look will tell you that only a handful of positions are listed, and most of those are posted by dive center employers who have very specific requirements, such as the ability to speak more than one language, or possession of an associated diving-related skill such as a boat captain’s license.
Do not fear, however! Although they might not be so heavily advertised, the perfect dive instructor jobs are out there, you just have to look a little bit further than the classified ads to find them. One reason for this is that although there is a large community of traveling dive professionals, it can be rather a small world, and so if a position becomes available, then a “friend of a friend of a former employer” might be on the telephone to tell you all about it. Put two instructors who have never met in the same room together, and it’s very likely that they will soon discover they have shared mutual friendships and experiences. Word of mouth counts for a lot in the dive industry, so if it’s your first time, then here’s how to go about finding your dream job in diving.
Firstly, exposure is the key – rather than waiting for the jobs to come to you, start by contacting as many dive centres as possible in the locations you wish to work. You might be able to find their contact details from a local tourist website, and dive centres often advertise any vacancies they might have on their own websites, rather than on a dedicated employment forum. Make sure you write a good cover letter full of enthusiasm and attach a well-constructed CV, one that stands out from the pile when the operations manager starts looking for potential new dive staff.
When it comes to CVs, you can be sure that jobs offered in popular locations will have many applicants and your personality needs to shine through on your professionsal dive CV as well as in real life. If you write “hard working and dedicated with good inter-personal skills” then so bit it – but be warned that everybody puts that on a CV, and it is by default required for the dive industry, so managers don’t need to know what they already expect of you; instead tell your prospective employers why they should employ you, as opposed to all the other hard working instructors out there.
If it’s possible, having face-to-face contact with prospective dive centres may well enhance your chances of success, especially if you plan to work in an area where there is a large contingent of freelance staff. The advent of Skype has made this process a little easier, but don’t forget that Internet coverage in tropical “developing” nations might not be as technically advanced as we have become used to in Europe and America. If you do find yourself traveling through an area that interests you, it certainly can’t hurt to spend a few days wandering around the local dive centres with copies of your CV. Don’t worry though – although it’s nice to be able to put a face to a name, dive operators are well aware that it’s not possible to travel half way around the world just for a job interview, but if you can’t be there in person, then make sure you stand out from the crowd when communicating over e-mail.
Research the locations you wish to work carefully, and make sure you understand the cost of living in those areas. If you don’t already have a job to go to, you may find that you spend a few weeks with no income and having to find yourself guest accommodation, so it’s a good idea to have enough money behind you to be able to comfortably exist in your destination of choice without pay. Think of it as a holiday!
Also make sure you understand the work permit requirements of the country in which you wish to work. In most cases, you’re allowed to enter the country on a tourist visa and then look for work, but try to find out in advance. Many dive centers will give you that advice even if they don’t want to hire you right away, and if you already have a job to go to, then the employer should be able to help you with obtaining the work permit, or at least point you in the right direction if you need other paperwork to be completed before you arrive.
In terms of qualifications, the best chance of gaining employment in the first place is to be certified as an instructor. There are positions for divemasters out there, but they tend to be apprenticeships – as in, you work unpaid but receive your instructor training at no cost – and unless you have the financial backing to work through this sort of apprenticeship, it’s far better to extend your stay at a Career Development Centre and work towards becoming an instructor before you start looking for work. Also, make sure that the agency under which you have qualified is relevant to the area in which you will be teaching. For example – NAUI has a big presence in America, CMAS is big in Europe and BSAC is the British agency, but they have very little outlet in some of the more popular resort locations, where PADI and SSI have pretty much saturated the market. If you plan to travel with your trade, make sure you’re employable in the countries you wish to visit!
Consider the MSDT (or equivalent) rating – as in PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. This is a Scuba instructor who is able to teach continuing education courses such as specialties, beyond the basic Open Water courses (Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver and Divemaster, for PADI instructors). In many locations, the focus is on intro-dives and beginner courses, in which case the basic Instructor rating will be fine, but the specialties are not difficult to come by, and add a number of feathers to your cap. It’s also in your interest to be able to add some variety to your working life, because repetition in any job – even in paradise – can take the shine away just a little, and being able to show off more of your skills just makes your dive students want to come back!
As you will learn during your Instructor training, there are many things that can add to your list of things that make you a more valuable employee. These include the ability to speak more than one language fluently, perhaps some experience sailing boats or repairing diesel engines; ability to work with computers and maybe some sales experience. All can be useful, although these are secondary skills, and not necessarily required in order to secure gainful employment. If you have them, add them to your CV anyway!
But – the most important asset you require to get a job is an ability to shine through as a competent, confident, knowledgeable and entertaining dive professional. On your first day at work, don’t sit around waiting to be told what to do – get stuck in and help out as if you’ve been working there for a year already! If you want to work at a dive centre but you don’t have a job, try to spend a day with them – you might be given a free ride on the dive boat – for example, and here’s a chance for you to prove your worth. Engage with the other customers, perhaps you’re able to solve a small problem while the other instructor is busy, even assist a diver who has a bit of a wobble under the water. Help with the gear and the tanks, demonstrate your knowledge and talent.
You might not be given work straight away, but if you stand out, then chances are you’ll be first on the other end of the telephone when the operations manager needs to cover for a sick instructor, or a sudden upturn in business, and dive centre managers talk to each other, so when another manager phones a friend asking if they have any spare instructors available, the reply will be “no, but I know somebody you might like to try out”.
It might take a little while to get established, but once you get your first job, demonstrate that you are passionate about your work and stand out above the crowd, there’s no better set of references than positive feedback from your customers, and once you find you’ve got your foot stuck firmly in the door, you’ll find that it quickly opens to a whole world of diving possibilities! Good Luck!

Diver Job: Job offer in Platamonas

Scuba Diving jobs — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:18:27 +0000

We are looking for two instructors to work at our new center in Platamonas found at 80km southern from Thessaloniki. We offer monthly salary and accommodation. Bonus from courses. Experienced instructors in Discovery will be preferred. Driving licence will appreciated. Spoken languages English, German and Russian. For further infos please contact at [pay]enalios1@otenet.gr[/pay]

Scuba Instructors for Silver Sands – Maldives

Scuba Diving jobs — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:32:26 +0000

We are managing and operating 6 dive and water sports centres on 5 star resorts in the Maldives and we are looking for multil-lingual Diving Instructors, speaking Russian, German, Spanish, Chinese and French, for three of our operations.

In addition to the above mentioned languages, you must speak good English and be a good team player, flexible, hard working and with excellent customer service skills.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• PADI OWSI licence or higher
• Fluency in the above mentioned languages plus English.
• Diving Insurance
• Senior First Aid certificate
• Extensive knowledge of the marine environment would be an added advantage
• Nitrox instructor and other specialties – a definite advantage
• Ability to teach and conduct water sports activities – an added bonus
• Equipment maintenance skills – would be an advantage

We offer an eleven month contract, a competitive remuneration package, twin share accommodation and full board, career opportunities and other incentives.

If you are qualified and speak in one of the said languages plus English and is ready to start work immediately, please send your CV with a passport size photo and minimum 2 reference contacts to [pay]hr@silversandsdiving.com[/pay].

SCUBA DIVING INSTRUCTOR FOR PUERTO RICO

Scuba Diving jobs — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:32:22 +0000

IMPORTANT: US Citizen only or US work visa required.We have an opening for a full time OWSI for our successful dive operation located at the luxurious El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico. We are a PADI Dive Center, We are looking for a motivated and customer friendly personality. Professional, clean appearance, non-smoker and team player a MUST.
Immediate start is needed. US Citizen only or US work visa required. Please do not post replies to the PADI employment board as it is not monitored. Instead, e-mail your resume (including photo) to: [pay]casadelmar@live.com[/pay]

Scuba Diving Couple wanted for Dive job in Cyprus

Scuba Diving jobs — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:14:53 +0000

We are situated in Paphos, Cyprus is recruiting an english speaking PADI Instructor/DM team for the Autumn/Winter season. A unique opportunity for an enthusiastic couple. Duties include: Instructing all levels of PADI courses and dive leading for qualified divers, Trial Dives, Sales and Administration. Accommodation included. Immediate start. Please send CVs, recent photo and contact telephone no for interview to,

[pay]kalliopi@cytanet.com.cy [/pay]

Position For PADI DM/OWSI in North Mozambique

Scuba Diving jobs — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:05:13 +0000

A scuba diving job position has opened for a young enthusiastic PADI DM/OWSI in North Mozambique. The candidate must preferably be a South African citizen and have knowledge of deep sea fishing. A valid skipper’s license is also a must.
The position involves both leading dives and fishing charters, and on occasions reliving the Activities Managers on the other resort’s. We don’t do as many courses here (mostly DSD’s).
We offer accommodation, meal’s, airfare form Johannesburg to Pemba, 2 return airline ticket’s to Johannesburg per year and a competitive salary in USD.
Please forward a short C.V with photo to our email, with the subject Employment.
[pay]
Jason Dundee
Activities Manager
activities@pembabeach-hotel.com
Mobile: +258842397302
[/pay]

IDC Center in Mexico Needs DM’S / OWSI’S / PR

Scuba Diving jobs — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:11:42 +0000

This scuba diving job is for a multi location 5 Star IDC Dive Resort in the Mexican Caribbean.

We look to hire PR’s, DM’s and OWSI’s immediately.

In order to qualify for employment with us you must:

1) Be multilingual, speaking at least english plus one other language such as German, french, Spanish, dutch, Italian. German speakers preferred due to our high percentage of German customers.

2) Be committed to very high customer service, safety and professionalism.

3) Be a team player and be able to work under pressure. No “8 to 5″ mentality.

4) Be an excellent and strong sales person. Monthly minimum sales quotes are being expected.

5) Be available here in Mexico immediately.

We offer a serious & fun work relationship, long term employment with future career opportunities. We are the fastest growing scuba company in Mexico, and new positions open up at every level on a constant basis.

If you feel you are the right candidate, please apply with full cv in word format, including a recent picture of you to..
[pay]
info@prodivemex.com
[/pay]

German speaking DM for IDC center in Cyprus

Scuba Diving jobs — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:02:47 +0000

This scuba diving job vacancy is for a DM position. Applicants must have driving license, speak German, be EU citizens and able to start immediately.
Please email to
[email]
info@luckydiver.com.cy
[/pay]

Dive Medical Officer for Maldives

Scuba Diving jobs — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:25:30 +0000

This scuba diving job is for a qualified Hyperbaric Doctor to work as a Dive Medical Officer and manage a new re compression facility within an exclusive resort complex in the Maldives. Relevant experience is required as well as fluency in English and possibly another European language. Excellent people skills are also a pre-requisite since you will be dealing with a sophisticated international clientele. A dive master/ instructor license would be highly regarded but not essential.

We offer a minimum 6 months contract and a competitive remuneration package as well as full board, accommodation and reimbursement of travel expenses.

If you possess the essential qualifications, skills and experience and would like to become part of our team please send your CV with photo and minimum 2 reference contacts to…
[pay]
hr@silversandsdiving.com
[/pay]

Silver Sands

PADI professional required for the UK

Scuba Diving jobs — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:14:30 +0000

Multi diving activity center with excellent Opportunities for applicants in the Following areas:- teaching diving,retail & Admin, boat & related, site services etc. Based on Scotland’s West Coast. Dry suit experience required and essential. Water is sometimes cold. This is a long term appointment for individuals who see instructional development and dive center management as important. Dive Masters who have potential may also apply. Please submit CV with recent photo including number of dives to date. All staff are trained in risk management and other relative skills. The remuneration is in two parts – a basic or retainer together with performance incentives. Applicants must be capable of team working with a thirst for self development. Accommodation is provided as part of the package. Our Dive Center run boat diving, full range tuition, a very active repair department and a thriving shop. We aim to continue to expand but only with staff that have above average commitment to diving at a verifiable quality level. Please see our website for more details.
[pay]
Puffin Dive Centre
www.puffin.org.uk
[/pay]