DECK CADET COMMON

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
GUIDE

BY: LORBES EDWIN II M.

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 INTRODUCTION

This file contains common interview questions for Deck Cadet which are based
from my own experience. As a cadet, it is a challenge for me having no idea or friends to
rely for applying to International Shipping Companies. That’s why I made this file to help
those cadets who are also not aware to the real life situation of an applicant.

Applying from different International Shipping Companies gave me the ideas about
the interview questions that are usually asked. I had been into different companies trying
to apply for apprenticeship. Lot of resume had been sent hoping for a chance to get
onboard. But the question is, are we prepared? If you will be given a chance to be part of
the company, are you prepared for the process? Before you proceed to your application
you must prepare. Prepare for examinations and interviews, do not miss every
opportunity. Take every opportunity as a last chance for you. Focus, Study and Research
before you proceed and I believe you will get the good result. If you fail, don’t worry take
it as a life lesson. There are lot of International Shipping Companies out there you just
only need to do your research. Analyze your failure, find the solution and then apply it to
another opportunity.

These file only serve as a guide for the cadets like me. I don’t disclose any specific
information about the companies that I had been applied to. You must also do your job to
research about the company application process. Different companies have different
application process, always remember that. I hope you will get any idea on this file and to
succeed on your maritime journey. If does, please don’t hesitate to help others who are
also in the same situation. Enjoy Life and put God First!

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page…………………. 1

Introduction……………….. 2

Table of Contents………... 3

Requirements for International Cadets…… 4

Sequence of Application………. 5

Evaluation Examination……….. 6

Initial Interview Questions………. 7

Technical Interview Questions…….. 8-9

Final Interview………….. 10

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 REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL DECK CADET

These are the documents & trainings that are usually required:

Personal Documents

1. Seaman’s Book/SIRB
2. Passport
3. Seaman Identification Card/SID
4. NBI
5. Transcript of Record
6. Covid 19 Vaccination Card
7. Yellow Fever
8. Polio Vaccine
9. Medical Certificate

Training Certificates

1. Basic Training with COP

2. Ratings Forming Part of Navigational Watch/Deckwatch Keeping
3. Seafarers with Designated Security Duties/SDSD with COP
4. Advance Fire Fighting/AFF with COP
5. Medical First Aid/MeFA
6. Consolidated MARPOL
7. Survival Craft and Rescue Boats/SCRB

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 SEQUENCE OF APPLICATION

Computer Examination
like CES & SETS6000,
EVALUATION EXAM
Marlins English

About your personal

background. INITIAL INTERVIEW

About your knowledge

technically. Major
Subjects, Safety etc.
TECHNICAL INTERVIEW

Further Information
about yourself and FINAL INTERVIEW
documents.

Checking what you have

and not. Usually they will CHECKING OF DOCUMENTS
take your on hand
documents.

Note: Every Company have different application process. Don’t expect that this
sequence will also happen to you. They might begin with Initial & Technical Interview.

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 EVALUATION EXAMINATION

On this part, you will be evaluated thru computer based exam. You need to
review the related topics for the position you are applying to. The common Examination
you will encounter is the CES & SETS 6000. Different companies might use either of the
two type of evaluation so you must do your research on what exam they have. Also,
almost all the companies have Marlins Test or Maritime English Test so you must also
take note of this.

Scope of Exam for Support Level CES & SETS 6000

1. Navigation - ColReg & Lights & Shapes

2. Seamanship – Parts of the Ship
3. Safety – Warning Signs
4. Personal Survival – Pyro techniques and other survival equipment
5. Cargo Handling
6. Fire Fighting Equipment
7. First Aid
8. Personal Safety & Social Responsibility
9. ISPS

Marlins Test

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Listening
3. Fill in the Blanks
4. Parts of Ship
5. Identify the meaning

Note: I might not be able to enumerate all the related topics so research for it.

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 INITIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

This Interview is usually about your personal background so answer truthfully.

They might also be checking your English proficiency. You might also encounter some
questions here that would be also asked during technical interview.

Common Questions:

1. Tell me something about yourself.

2. What are your weaknesses and strengths?
3. Where do you see yourself 10yrs from now?
4. What can you contribute to this company?
5. Where are you from?
6. What is your School?
7. Where did you go to College?
8. How old are you?
9. What are the documents you have on hand?
10. Do you have the trainings?
11. Where are you residing right now?
12. How many siblings you have?
13. Have you tried to apply from another company?
14. Where is your province?

Note: Try to answer in English. Be Calm. Be honest.

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 TECHNICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

On this part, your technical knowledge will be on test. This phase of

application is the most critical stage, why? Because they will be evaluating you based on
your knowledge about maritime shipping. You will be answering questions related to our
major subjects from school and trainings. Answering all the questions correctly could give
you advantage to be hired.

Scope of Technical Interview:

1. NAVIGATION
• What is Navigation?
• What is Latitude?
• What is Longitude?
• What is Rule 5? (Memorize)
• How many Rules in Colreg?
• Collision Regulation
• Lights & Shapes
• Sound Signals
• Boxing the Compass
• Types of Navigation (Terrestrial, Coastal, Pilotage, Electronic)
• Fixing Position (Dead Reckoning, Cockhat, Crossbearing)
• GMDSS Equipment
• Navigational Equipment
• Compass Error
• Distance, Speed, Time (Computation)

2. SEAMANSHIP
• What is Seamanship?
• Parts of the Ship
• Duties & Responsibilities (All Ranks)
• Ship Draft Reading

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 • Mean Draft
• Lashing Materials
• Tools
• Squat Effect
• Knot Tying
3. SAFETY MANAGEMENT
• What is Safety Management Code?
• Safety Practices
• Personal Safety Equipment
• Emergency Alarms (General Alarm, Fire Alarm)
4. PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES
• Life Saving Appliances
• Donning Time (Lifejacket, Immersion Suit)
• Duration of Equipment
• Pyro Techniques (2,4,6)
5. MARPOL
• Annexes 1-7
• Garbage Color Coding
• Special Areas
• Categories X, Y, Z
6. FIRE PREVENTION & FIRE FIGHTING
• What is Fire?
• Fire Triangle
• Classification of Fire
• Fire Extinguishing Agents
• Fire Alarm
• Fire Equipment
• Life Rope (1 Pull, 2 Pulls, 3 Pulls, 4 Pulls)
• How to use Fire Extinguisher? (PASS)

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 FINAL INTERVIEW

During Final Interview the usual questions are about your documents and
trainings. But they might also ask again about technical knowledge. Just bear in mind the
questions in Technical Interview. Try to answer in English, be calm and positive with your
answers. Think about the questions, analyze before you speak. Practice at home to boost
your confidence.

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