At Xelvin Maritime & Offshore, we believe that exciting career opportunities can come from the most unexpected places. We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Natalia, one of our candidates, who took a bold leap into the maritime sector with Oceanco—despite having no prior experience in shipbuilding. Her story is one of curiosity, courage, and the excitement of discovering a whole new world.
A background in buying, but not in shipbuilding
Before joining Oceanco, Natalia spent 12 years working in procurement and logistics, primarily in e-commerce. She was accustomed to high-volume purchasing, focusing on product life cycles rather than large-scale, project-based acquisitions. Though she had a strong foundation in buying, her experience was far removed from the intricate and highly specialized world of superyacht construction.
Her career initially took off in Poland, where she worked for several companies before moving to the Netherlands nearly five years ago. During that time, she explored various roles, including purchasing surplus technical parts and working in the oil and gas sector. However, none of these experiences truly felt like the right fit—until she was introduced to Oceanco.
A chance encounter with oceanco
Interestingly, Natalia wasn’t actively looking for a new job when we at Xelvin Maritime & Offshore first reached out. Our connection came through a neighbor, also a buyer in the shipbuilding industry, who wasn’t interested in a career move but saw the opportunity as a great fit for her. Intrigued, she decided to take the call.
That initial conversation with our team at Xelvin Maritime & Offshore was smooth, friendly, and engaging. We took the time to understand her background, skills, and aspirations, sparking her curiosity about the shipbuilding sector. Soon, she found herself in an interview process with Oceanco. While she had driven past the shipyard before—and even stopped to admire a yacht—she had never considered working there. In fact, she had to Google the company’s name after our call to learn more!
The WOW moment
Stepping into Oceanco for the first time was a breathtaking experience. The sheer scale and craftsmanship of the superyachts in dry dock left her in awe. While she had seen yachts docked in exotic locations before, she never imagined being part of the process that brings these magnificent vessels to life.
The recruitment process:
At Xelvin Maritime & Offshore, we guided Natalia through every step of the recruitment process. From interview preparation to understanding the industry-specific nuances, we ensured she felt confident and well-informed.
The hiring process at Oceanco was thorough, with multiple interview rounds and even a personality and intelligence test. Though it was an intense experience, Natalia appreciated how much effort the company put into ensuring the right fit. The assessments revealed new insights about herself—including her high level of empathy—which led to meaningful conversations with the hiring team. Ultimately, she saw this as a testament to Oceanco’s commitment to building strong, well-balanced teams.
A new adventure with Oceanco:
Now, Natalia is part of the Oceanco team, bringing her skills in procurement and logistics into the fascinating world of yacht building. Though she didn’t enter the industry with a lifelong passion for shipbuilding, she has developed a deep appreciation for it. Every day presents new learning opportunities, and she is excited to be part of an industry that blends innovation, craftsmanship, and luxury.
Why Xelvin Maritime & Offshore?
Natalia’s journey into the maritime sector is a perfect example of how Xelvin Maritime & Offshore connects talent with unexpected but exciting career paths. We don’t just match candidates with jobs; we open doors to new possibilities. Our process is personal, engaging, and tailored to ensure both the candidate and the company find the perfect fit.
Her story is an inspiration for anyone considering a career change, proving that you don’t need a background in shipbuilding to thrive in the maritime industry. All it takes is an open mind, a willingness to explore new opportunities, and a recruitment partner like Xelvin Maritime & Offshore to guide the way.
Are you ready for your next adventure? Let’s explore new horizons together!
