Shipping | SAJ helps young professionals ‘Level Up’ for career success

Having the right qualifications may open the door to an employment opportunity, but how candidates present themselves can determine whether they are invited to walk through it.

Recognising that many capable professionals struggle to communicate their value through their résumés and interviews, the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) hosted its first Level Up career workshop on August 4. The free workshop brought together young professionals from the maritime industry and other sectors for practical guidance on positioning themselves for career advancement.

Under the theme ‘From Résumé to Interview Success’, the session was facilitated by SAJ Human Resource Business Manager Janet Smith. It addressed some of the common challenges that prevent qualified candidates from progressing through the recruitment process.

The workshop took participants back to the fundamentals of career development, exploring the relationship between personal goals, career planning and the steps required to reach a desired professional destination. Smith encouraged participants to approach their careers with intention, beginning with a clear understanding of what they hope to achieve and the mechanism needed to get there.

The presentation also examined résumé development and interview preparation, reinforcing the importance of presenting experience, skills and achievements in a way that is relevant to prospective employers. Participants were encouraged to view the résumé, not simply as a record of employment, but as an important tool for securing the recruiter’s attention and creating an opportunity to interview.

Once that opportunity is secured, preparation becomes critical. The session therefore helped participants consider how they communicate their competence, confidence and suitability during an interview.

practical discussions

SAJ General Manager Terrence Brooks added a personal dimension to the workshop by speaking candidly about his own professional journey. Brooks joined the association at 19 years old and steadily progressed through the organisation before being appointed general manager.

Drawing on that experience, he spoke about the discipline, work ethic and personal sacrifice required to build a sustainable career. He also shared practical advice on navigating workplace culture and developing the habits necessary for long-term professional growth.

Brooks challenged participants not to allow their present circumstances to define the limits of their future. Instead, he encouraged them to develop a clear vision of the life and career they wanted, and to work consistently towards achieving it. He explained that envisioning a different future and aligning his actions with that vision had been important to his own development as a young professional.

Each participant also received a copy of Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, a book focused on strengthening interpersonal relationships, communication and influence.

Participants said the workshop prompted them to reconsider how they approached their careers, particularly the way they structured their résumés and prepared for interviews. The practical discussions also helped them identify areas in which their presentation may not have adequately reflected their abilities or professional potential.

The Level Up initiative was developed in response to a gap observed by the SAJ within the maritime industry. The association found that some applicants possessed the technical knowledge and skills required for available roles but were unsuccessful because their résumés and interview performance did not effectively demonstrate their capabilities.

The workshop is the first in a planned series through which the SAJ will help young professionals strengthen the practical skills required to pursue new opportunities and advance their careers.