[QUOTE=TractorTug;130779]Because these people get hundreds of app a month. (don’t know the actual number) They are pretty astute at whittling through the apps to figure out who is (as put earlier) with all their ducks in a row. (and even who knows what the ducks ARE to be in a row)
They hire sporadically (as the company is growing) They don't necessarily hire each month. People always send in apps. They always review them as they see good ones they call on them.
Actually, to an astute observer they were discussed. You were asked (typically) where have you worked? What locations? What type barges have you towed? Not being too much of a wise ass, but if your answer was: Around NY harbor, doing assist work, and an occasional tow around NY harbor, then you either didn't 'sell yourself' well, or you didn't know 'how' to word it. (this is probably true in your case, as you described it.
That is certainly not my best recommendation for employment. It is just to make the observation that MANY companies out there are indeed operating like the last sentence. Most employees (at these other companies) are blissfully unaware that there is even a difference. But, (and this is why places like Reinauer have such a ‘niche’ of customers and many MANY 15, 20, 30 and even 40 year employees) this is the difference between the different companies. The other guys who commented is a 10 year ‘newbie’. But even he likes Reinauer!
Someone asked, why is Reinauer good. Tough question. There are up sides, and down sides as mentioned. But the good far outweighs the bad. I have worked at several companies during my career. I will probably work elsewhere (especially if Reinauer gets bought out by Kirby) But, it’s been a great place to work. Yeah, the layoffs in '08 sucked. It is not that Reinauer is ‘Good’ It is just that it is WAY lots better than the alternative!
You mentioned ‘training programs’. Reinauer (like most companies) had a form of training back in '05 to '08. They had about 40 extra deckhands, just so training could be done. Then the recession hit. They found it too cost prohibitive to keep so many trainees around. They stopped the program. They laid a LOT of us off. Poof. Gone. But they have mysteriously hired (being REALLY picky with only the GOOD guys) most of the movers and shakers back over the last year or two. Go figure. But regarding training, I do not know of any companies that hire ‘just’ trainees anymore. You have to do your deckhands job, (well) and also pay attention to the training part. It’s time and labor intensive. Not impossible. (I did it!) But, there’s no Gimmes. Only reward for work put in.
You are describing a position that is not in existence at Reinauer. “[I]Many companies have training programs such a mate trainee which allow you to become comfortable with the boat, route[/I]” You describe a 3 watch boat with two mates doing ‘sea buoy to sea buoy’ watches, with the Master doing the ‘pilot waters’ watch. Most (if not all East Coast) companies do not subscribe to this type of manning. They run a two watch system, with both the Master AND the Chief Mate being fully qualified to operate the vessel at sea, in port, making and breaking tow, and docking and undocking. The 12 hour work rule is religiously adhered to. Think about it this way. If you were a Mate on a towboat, on a two watch system, if you needed the Masters help, then he would be up (off watch) and would be violating his 12 hours rest as mandated by the regulations. You either follow the rules or you don’t.
I will say, Just in my personal observations that the deckhands who are capable of doing the deckhands jobs WELL, and paying attention to the rest of the experience necessary to matriculate up the ladder are FAR better boatmen than guys (sorry school kids) who just ride, as a ‘mate trainee’ and watch a little bit, and expect to mash the throttles next trip. This ‘trainee’ thing is not something that is just learned in a couple trips, and certainly not something that would let me sleep when a 30 day wonder is at the wheel.
I’ll give you one helpful hint on your resume. Remove the word ‘Relief Captain’ from your vocabulary. You are either the Master, or you are the Mate. Period. Personnel sees through that word just like the term First Captain, Second Captain, Third Captain, Fourth Captain, Barge Captain, etc etc etc etc.
Regarding recency, this is what has gotten many companies in hot water over the last couple years. Guys have gone places and not had recency. If they had an accident, they get a slap on the wrist by the USCG. Reinauer makes damn sure they are crossing their I’s and dotting their T’z religiously. And woe to those who don’t. You mentioned that you weren’t ‘aware of recency’. That is a HUGE red flag to anyone you talk to. If you didn’t know about it, how could you legitimately operate a boat and be following the laws? Combined with the ‘Relief Captain’ title makes some suspicious.
If you get caught lying (especially on a job app, or during an interview) you probably won’t even know you got caught. (This may explain they other mentioned periods of silence) But you won’t know it. You just get deleted. Personal recommendation goes a LONG way at Reinauer. If someone knows of you, about you, or knows someone you mentioned during an interview you can bet your ass that has been looked into. Non response means one of two things: Either they were up to their assholes in alligators that day in the office (and your app got stuck into the bottom of some unknown file,) OR they weren’t impressed with you. It’s pretty simple. But, keep in mind that almost ALL these personnel people know (or at least have a professional knowledge of) the competitors HR department. There isn’t much you can BS them with. A simple phone call around the coast gets them all the info they need to get a handle on your reputation, your history, your driving record, and above all your last job.
I would love to know the how’s and why’s of the guy who drove up for a job to be not hired… Something doesn’t sound quite right about that. There’s more to the story I bet!
Good info. thanks. I DID know about recency though thats why i asked what was needed. I knew it was going to be a problem that i cant say i have 3 years exp. or whatever in new york harbor ( i know this is not the reg. but alot of companies ask this for a minimum in their ads.) I do believe you are right though that i should remove the “relief” from my resume. seemed like a good idea. Guess i was trying to "sell myself."
And as far as lying on an app, i do know better. I would love for them to dig through every corner of my life and even call Moran and other captains here to find out what kind of employee i am. I think it would be a much better way to hire people than trying to figure out there life by reading a paper. I understand this would be labor intensive and they are looking for the cut and dry version. I would also like them to say here. dock this 150,000 bbl water barge (imaginary practice barge) and lets see what you got. I understand this will not happen but again, I would be able to sell myself better.
I have also never been ashamed to work deck either. I rather enjoy it. I would probably take an A.B position AGAIN and learn the ropes and wait for a position, problem is having a mortgage its kinda hard to go backwards in pay.
Well anyway thanks for the information and insight.