A week
before Easter Sunday, I had a chat with my friend and college classmate on Face
book and had a chat about my predicament. On the chat he told me that he sent
an email to his crewing manager and I had to look for some guy named
"Vladimir Reyes" of CF Sharpe Shipping Company. Obviously for me I
see this was an invitation to join CF Sharpe's Band wagon and at the same time
a guarantee that my friend will act as my sponsor (backer). According to my
friend he already sent an email to this
crewing manager , something about "letter of recommendation" kind of
stuff, so I won't have problems getting inside and probably they will be
expecting me. Anyway It eases my mind that my friend would back me up and for
the least I wouldn't have to think that looking for a job on that company will
not end up me being chased out on the shipping office - (as what happened to me
a lot times during my deck cadet years).
Given with
this information (and invitation), I considered getting a job in CF Sharpe a
top priority right now and had set aside other agenda's I have at the moment
until I get some results from this , whether it’s positive or not. I already
made preparations in securing a chest x-ray film copy for later use if in case
things went well , and to add more effect on the "first impression" I
also took a haircut so I don’t get on the wrong foot with crewing manager in
case he has a nasty habit. Believe it or not first impressions last in looking
for a job particularly in the shipping community.
For now I'm
not totally uncertain in looking for a job as a sailor compared to years ago
when I was still a deck cadet transitioning to an O.S. . Main reason is because
of the fact that I'm experienced now and that my documents have more
qualifications in it that it was years back, so overall estimate is that
qualifications for an "ordinary seaman" won't be a problem for me
once I get inside CF Sharpe's office at least on my perspective. I remember a
few years back that I was marooned here in the Philippines by my former company
and had little or no money at all on that time, to make it worst my employment
experience was one a year and I had no license nor even have a U.S. Visa.
Practically my employment situation at that time was very grim. The only thing
good about my situation was I do not heavily relay economically on the maritime
/ shipping industry and had other skills. Now years later , I'm better off and
could say that I'm at least "have something" on my work as a sailor.
