[icedcappucino]

The title is very clickbait, like those ads “How to earn 100K in 1 year!”
But just like those ads, getting promoted is never as straightforward as following a checklist then all will be well.

Many unknown and incontrollable factors such as:
1. How many people in the same queue for promotion?
2. What are their qualifications? (3rd Engineer license? How many months seatime?)
3. Your appraisals vs their appraisals?
4. Your company’s yearly quota for promotion, supply vs demand (e.g. too many engineers but not enough ships)

Slippery slope if you compare blindly with your peers or seniors who got promoted relatively quickly, as there are SG/PR marine engineers who clocked significant sea service but were not promoted as quickly as their peers.

TL;DR Luck is a big factor, things beyond your own control (your performance and working r/s with your crew)

For context/reference:
Engineer ranks

Q: Alternatives for better chance of promotion other than just completing promotion criteria provided by company?
A:
1) Pursue ASAP next COC you’re eligible for.
Assuming you’ve clocked min. 12 months as a senior watchkeeper and currently at 4E (AKA 3AE) rank, apply for CoC Class 1 & 2.
It is true that CoC 1 & 2 syllabus is quite theory-heavy and won’t be easy to pass.
But having a CoC 2 considerably increases the chance of promotion from 4E to 3E, to get ahead of other 4E (with 3rd Engineer license) in the same queue for promotion to 3E.

Case study group A:
18 months as 4E -> COC 2 -> Promoted to 3E.
6 months as 5E, 12 months as 4E -> COC 2 -> Promoted to 3E

Case study B:
18 months as 4E -> COC 2 -> 1 more ship as 4E -> Promoted to 3E.

Case study C:
18 months as 4E -> COC 2 -> 2 ships as 4E -> Promoted to 3E

2) Pursue alternative long-distance courses or short courses, you may want to consider discussing with your company.

Q: How to encourage your Chief Engineer to write a good appraisal?
A: Of course, your own working performance should meet your company’s requirements first. We’ve all sailed with engineers who were promoted despite lacking performance..
You don’t have to be great friends with the Chief Engineer, it’s more important to cultivate a respectful working r/s and conflict management style.
– As a junior-mid rank engineer, there will be mistakes. Regardless of how the senior engineers react, apologise for it quickly and focus on rectifying. You might like to consider telling them you’ll continue to improve, and prove it with your actions.
– Sometimes senior engineers (2E and/or CE) makes mistakes too, be it work-related (e.g. miscomm, forgot a spare part etc) or HR-related (e.g. terrible at conflict management). Highly recommended you consider not holding their mistakes against them, especially if they reacted badly towards your own mistakes. More often than not, these senior engineers were trained in that same style and can’t comprehend improving themselves. Respect that they had survived longer years at sea, there are still things you can learn from them. Very rarely, senior engineers appreciate and accept suggestions from subordinates about alternative working styles or solutions to work problems. Identify if they’re able to, and act accordingly.
– Outside of work hours, have a study schedule for reading manuals and write up a list of questions that you can’t understand. If your 2E/CE are open to teaching, approach them when they’re comfortable and discuss your questions. If they’re not interested, at the very least they’re informed that you’ve been studying and doing your best to pick up. This mindset will go a long way, and could help increase your appraisal rating at the same time.
– Volunteer to assist the 2E and CE with their paperwork, and get to know them as a person outside of work. This is higher risk as may cost you valuable time and energy without promised returns. Might be worth a try still.

Q: If promotion was not given, is it recommended to change company?
A: This is a difficult question as there are many (unknown) variables to consider. Firstly, establish context:
Up till a few years ago, 18 months sea service was required to attend COC 1 & 2. Prolly 95% of the Singaporeans with 18 months sea time were 4E/3AE.
Using that as a rough guide, most of us spent minimum 12-18 months as a 4E/3AE before promotion to 3E/2AE.
If you’ve > 12 months sea time as 4E/3AE (and holding COC 2), good performance and appraisals but still not promoted, refer to above-mentioned list of unknown and uncontrollable factors. If those factors aren’t improving anytime soon, it could be a good idea to consider changing company.
And then there’s some companies that doesn’t promote fairly due to hidden bias against/towards certain nationalities, there isn’t much that can be done w/o hard evidence. Better to leave ASAP.

There’s a variety of companies for each type of vessel (and accordingly the type of fleet suitable for you).
Factors to consider when choosing next company:
1. Promotion speed (refer to above-mentioned list of factors)
2. Salary
3. Welfare (food, wifi etc.)
4. Contract length
5. Waiting time to join ship

And very importantly, usually the next company doesn’t promote a new-hire immediately to the next rank, due to:
1. Probation period: Every company has their set of promotion/appraisal criteria
2. Different company different culture
3. Can’t ensure quality control as the next company has not witnessed the candidate in action in his/her current rank (and previous company’s appraisals may not be trusted 100%; double-edged sword)
4. No appraisal of this candidate’s performance in the next rank (obviously), so they’re taking a risk in promoting the candidate immediately after hiring.

If you’re pretty sure you still won’t get promoted in current company even after 1 or 2 more ships in same rank, then we wish you all the best for your career in the next company!

Q: How to approach my company directly for promotion? (What is a good way to draft your email to company)
A: Assuming the same scenario: You’ve > 12 months sea time as 4E/3AE (and holding COC 2), good performance and appraisals but still not promoted.
The biggest card in your hand: COC 2 license, good appraisals (and maybe your nationality? some may consider writing about joining the shore side in their future).
Gist of a sample promotion request email:

“Dear Mr/Ms (crewing manager),

Thank you for taking the time to read this email. I’m formally writing to request a promotion from my current rank of (rank) to (rank).
I have been working hard in anticipation for such an opportunity, and I am ready for this next challenge.
In the past x year(s) I have:
– Received my COC 2 license
– x number of very good appraisals and x number of promotion criteria completed

As a SG/PR seafarer, I’m very proud and thankful to be part of our supportive organisation based here in SG and always looking to contribute more.
Thus, with my achievements I believe I will be able to contribute and bring more value to our company in the next rank.

I would be very grateful if you consider me for this promotion and thank you again for your time. I look forward to our continued correspondence at your convenience.

Best regards,

”

• This topic was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by icedcappucino. Reason: Feedback
• This topic was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by icedcappucino.

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