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Jobs in the Alaska Fishing Industry

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JobMonkey.com
Volume VIII, Issue #52
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Welcome to the JobMonkey Newsletter! Did you know that the Alaska fishing industry annually employs over 65,000 people just for its seasonal fishing industry? This diverse profession covers everything from working on a giant factory trawler to sharing a two-man gillnetting boat. Plus there are over 70 processing plants around the state. While the summer salmon season is Alaska's true claim to fishing fame, the fall and winter seasons also offer numerous opportunities for those in search of a fishing adventure.

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IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1) Career Advisor: Interview Speak - Clean it Up
2) Spotlight: What You Need to Know About Fishing Jobs in Alaska
3) Around the Monkey: Jobs in Alaska
4) Job Boards: Alaska Fishing Job Resource

Find out why you should set up a free job seeker profile on JobMonkey: Learn More.

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CAREER ADVISOR: Clean Up Your Speech for Interviews
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by Amy Lindgren

You've been through the practice job interviews and figured out your greatest strength, your greatest weakness and what to say about that gap in your employment. Your interview outfit is ready, your resume is revised, your hair is cut and your fingernails are buffed.

Check, check, and check.

Now do one more thing: Listen to yourself. No, really listen. Do you mumble or speak in a monotone? Do you laugh at inappropriate times or say "um" and "you know" too often?

If you don't know, now's the time to find out. With a friend's permission, find a way to record part of your next conversation together. Leave the tape running long enough for you to forget it's there, to give you a chance to speak more naturally. The results won't precisely simulate an interview experience, but it should still give you a sense of your speech style and any tics that you'd like to correct.

Don't overwork the problem, though. We all hear things in our voices that we dislike, which don't bother others at all. But on the other hand, do listen critically to your choice of words. For example, one speech pattern that can seem unintentionally condescending is the habit of ending answers with, "Does that answer your question?" Eeek. Rather than sounding like an appropriate followup or clarification tool, this comes off as a smoother way of saying, "Do you get it?"

Rooting out these kinds of conversation habits probably won't make or break your next interview. Still, it's good to remember that people hire people they like - and we tend to like the people we can hold a decent conversation with.

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SPOTLIGHT: What You Need to Know About Fishing Jobs in Alaska
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If you are in the market for a seasonal job, you have no doubt heard the tales about income potential in Alaska working on a fishing boat and fish processing jobs. And while it's true that there is plenty of money to be made fishing in Alaska, there are also as many stories of failure as there are tales of success. If you want to increase your chances of profitability, you need to arm yourself with a few basic facts.

CREW SALARY

Most vessels pay an end-of-season salary based on a percentage of harvest earnings, which, for newcomers, is typically 1.5% to 10% of adjusted gross catch. Some vessels offer a daily rate, typically between $50-100/day. If this is your first time pursuing a fishing boat deckhand job, be sure to get a signed contract, which clearly lays out your pay, benefits and your share of vessel expenses.

CREW EXPENSES

While one's final paycheck can be quite nice on a fishing boat, crew members need to be prepared for a number of out-of-pocket expenses, such as:

• Wet gear (approximately $150-200)
• Rubber boats (approximately $75)
• Rubber sleeves (approximately $10/set)
• Quality sleeping bag (up to $200)
• Gloves (approximately $5/pair, although dozens of pairs may be needed during a season)
• Commercial fishing license ($165 for a non-Alaska resident) -- for more information see the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Operating expenses (ranges from $150-1,000+ per season) -- many vessels charge their crew members a percentage of operating expenses, including fuel, bait, ice and food

TYPES OF VESSELS

Alaska fishing is truly a diverse industry, with fishing vessels ranging from small, 20-foot skiffs owned and staffed by one or two individuals, to large, 300-foot factory trawlers owned and operated by multinational corporations. Fishing boats may be just a mile off-shore or 200 miles at sea, or they can be found along shore, near small towns and villages and river systems. For a thorough run-down on types of fishing opportunities, see the JobMonkey's section on Offshore Fishing Industries.

NOTE ABOUT SAFETY

Commercial fishing is one of the most hazardous occupations in America. Aside from the inherently dangerous nature of the job, being far out as sea without medical staff makes injuries even more dangerous. A reputable operator, however, rarely has serious mishaps among its crew members. If a number of members have recently left a particular vessel, check into safety conditions and recent accident reports before signing up to work there.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Think you are ready for the challenge of working on an Alaskan fishing boat? Make sure you have what it takes to get hired by asking yourself, "Am I someone who..."

• Is able to stand for long hours
• Is able to lift and move extremely heavy objects
• Is available for the entire fishing season
• Doesn't mind working in wet and cold conditions
• Gets along well with others, especially in cramped conditions without much privacy
• Has a positive, can-do attitude
• Will follow orders and abide by safety rules

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AROUND THE MONKEY: Jobs in Alaska
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Whether it's working on a fishing boat or staffing a cruise boat, Alaska provides a host of job opportunities for adventure seekers. Check out the JobMonkey Blog for more information on seasonal jobs in Alaska, including:

>> Big Opportunities - Alaska Tourism Jobs
>> Recession in Southeast Alaska
>> How to Summer Jobs in Alaska
>> Jobs & the Alaska Highway Pipeline

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JOB BOARDS: Alaska Fishing Jobs Resource
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Are you looking for a fishing boat job in Alaska? Check out Alaska Job Finder. For a small fee, this expert resource gives you access to:

• Exclusive job postings
• JobSeekers Database, where you can upload your resume and personal profile
• Detailed profiles of commercial fishing boat employers
• Detailed profiles of 2,500+ charter fishing boat employers
• Detailed profiles of 100+ onshore and offshore processing employers

... plus job listings and profiles of non-fishing jobs in Alaska, as well, such as cruise lines, tour companies, adventure travel companies, wilderness lodges and more.

 

 

 

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