Landing your first Chief Stew job is not difficult. It is simply a matter of getting real with yourself and shifting your mindset. Are you ready? Here are my top 5 tips on How to Land your first Chief Job!
1. Know the difference
You are likely considering jumping into a Chief Stew role because you're awesome at your job. But the crazy thing about your new position is that it’s not about you anymore. As a stewardess, your number one job is to accomplish tasks. Now, as a Chief Stew, your number one job is to help other people outstandingly accomplish tasks.
This shift is often difficult for first-time Chief Stews, but it’s crucial—your performance will be tied to your team's performance. This means that if your team fails, you fail. And if they succeed? You can take credit, but you have to share it with the rest of the team, or they won’t be willing to do an excellent job for you in the future.
2. Clarity
When you want to transition from 2nd to Chief Stew, having clarity is crucial. If you are not clear about why you want to make the jump, who will benefit from it, who will lose, and what exactly you are looking for in your next role - you end up feeling lost, and the transition becomes a challenge instead of exciting career progress.
To get clarity, answer the following:
Why do I want to transition into a Chief Stew role? Is this reason based on fear or abundance?
Example of a fear-based reason: I want to be a Chief Stew because I am tired of being told what to do. I want to make more money. I want to be in charge - period.
Example of abundant reasons: I want to have the opportunity to lead an interior team because I want to share and teach all the wisdom I have gained in my career. I want to inspire other stews to be their best selves at work and beyond. I want to support my team in ways that I was never supported. I want to lead a team to create exceptional one-of-a-kind vacations for our guests.
If I become a Chief Stew, who will benefit?
Think of all the ones (people, mindset, paradigms, organizations, etc.) who will benefit from having you as an interior leader. Write at least 10. Examples: The stews who want to learn from me. My confidence. The guests will experience unique holidays with my skills.
Who will lose if I step into a Chief Stew role?
Think of all the ones (people, mindset, paradigms, organizations, etc.) who will lose from you stepping into a Chief Stew role. Write at least 10. Examples: My current boat will lose me as part of their team. My mindset that I am not good enough will be lost.
What exactly are you looking for in your Chief Stew role?
Be as specific as you can - dream big! Think of the owners/guests you want to serve, the captain and crew you want to work with, the size and type of vessel, locations, salary, and benefits. Get as clear as much as possible.
When we want to start a new role, we tend to take whatever comes along, as long as it fits the main criteria (Chief Stew Job), but as you already know, this usually does not end well. I suggest that once you get clear on what it is you DO want, then make a list of the specifics that are non-negotiable and which ones are. For example, the itinerary may be negotiable, but working for x type of captain may be non-negotiable. This will help you narrow your search when looking for the perfect job and give precise instructions for the universe to deliver what you truly want.
3. Take Action
Now that you know why and what, it’s time to take action. Upgrade your CV and crew agencies’ profiles to resonate with your new focus. Let everyone who could help you land a job know what you are looking for and share your clarity with them. Get Excited!
4. Prepare for the Landing
In 16 years of my career as a Chief Stew, I have learned that those who don’t prepare are the ones that end up being “That Chief Stew.” Meaning the ones that the crew dislikes, the ones that scream at their team, the ones that show up daily from a place of fear, achieving disharmony and a toxic environment for all to work in. I am positive you have witnessed your fair share of this behavior in your career, and I am 100% sure you do not want to repeat this behavior in your career. You must prepare for your new Chief Stew role by creating an interior management system.
As a Chief Stew, you are:
In charge of the goals of the interior department
Inspiring and Training your team
Helping other stews accomplish tasks in an outstanding way
Maintaining coherency and flow among all departments
Creating one-of-a-kind experiences for owners/guests
To be successful at all these duties, you need an interior management system that helps you make consistent, daily progress toward your goals—in this case, running a tight, smooth ship which translates to excelling at your job.
Over 14 years ago, I was standing in your shoes, feeling doubtful of myself and afraid of transitioning to a Chief Stew role, until I realized that to regain my confidence and jump into a Chief Stew position, I needed to create an interior management system. A system that would ensure my teams excel and succeed at their job. This is how the Mermaids Kick-Starter Bible was created.
The MKSB system provides you with the foundation, confidence, and knowledge to excel at your new Chief Stewardess role. These guidelines will save you time and energy, as there is no need to recreate them because they are digital and editable templates. Unlike lengthy stewardess books, this interior management system supplies you with clear-cut, tried, and tested guides/templates that you can use daily in a hectic season to keep you and your interior team on track. Cause we all know what happens when exhaustion sets in; we get sidetracked and unfocused. Merging your knowledge with these guidelines will create the perfect interior system for your team and vessel, whether private or charter.
The MKSB system includes over 90+ Templates and an exclusive VIP Members Area filled with workshops, masterclasses, and courses to support your career. Get your MKSB here!
Remember that the problem with not following a system is that you’re prone to engage more in ‘busywork’ because there won’t be any focus. By following a system, however, you have the ultimate clarity on what needs to happen now — daily, weekly, monthly — to make focused progress toward your team’s long-term goals. This focus will make you and your stewardesses incredibly productive and a Top-Notch team to have onboard. And in case you missed it, here is my insight on 6 Skills to Master before Jumping into a Chief Stew Role.
5. And finally…Feel Good!
Yes! You’ve got to feel good to manifest that which you want. Honestly, that is your only job, not a bad job, right? When we constantly worry about the ins and outs of how this new job could manifest, we feel drained, stressed, and to be honest, we are in constant fear. Feeling good means trusting that the Universe has your back and will provide you ALL YOU DESIRE.
I invite you to repeat these beautiful words from Gabby Bernstein daily:
There is an ever-present loving energy within me and around me, supporting me every step of the way.
I choose to tune in to that energy now.
Feeling good attunes me with that energy.
It’s good to feel good.
It’s good to feel good.
I am worthy of feeling good.
I trust that everything is working out for me
I attune my energy with the stream of well-being
When I’m aligned with love, I am a Super Attractor.
My Super Attractor alignment puts my manifestations into motion.
I can do less and attract more.
I know that what is of the highest good is coming to me, and I let the Universe do for me what I cannot do for myself.
I relax, I allow, and I let the Universe reveal to me whatever is of the highest good for all.
I slow down and listen to the guidance that is available to me.
In stillness, I receive.
I let an inner sense of quiet multiply each day as I strengthen my faith in the love of the Universe.
I am a Super Attractor.
I focus on the good in my life and appreciate all that is.
I am a Super Attractor.
When I surrender my desires to the care of the Universe, a mighty force of faith can set in.
I do nothing and let the Universe do for me what I cannot do for myself.
I keep dreaming even when I can’t see the results.
I am a Super Attractor.
I am a Super Attractor.
The Universe has big plans for me, and it’s time to claim them now.
I accept that good things come easily.
I’m in awe of the magnificent guidance that’s available to me,
I am a Super Attractor.
I am a Super Attractor.
I am a Super Attractor.
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