My Advice Is...

To be honest the best way to know what a job involves is to ask people who have actually done it, and if you want to do research properly it makes sense that you ask more than one person.

So we did just that, we asked crew what they had wished they had known and what their advice to crew and new crew was:
(This page continues to grow, with the newest comments at the top)

Save your money. At first, each month the money you earn seems so much you can barely spend it. Within a few months it doesn't seem so much and it's suddenly a lot easier to spend.
Yachting is a golden opportunity to save, living on board can be incredibly cheap, so put your money away or at least some of it. Go and see a financial advisor who specialises in yacht crew and work out the best way to keep your money safe and growing... Kim Saunders, Chief Stewardess, M/Y Sunshine

Stay away from drugs... Peter Jones, Bo'sun, S/Y Agatha

My advice to people starting out in yachting is to sit down with a professional crew agent and talk through what they want to achieve and find out what qualifications they will need before trying to jump into the deep end. ... Mark O'Connell, Captain, superyachtartgallery.com

Yachting can be next to impossible to leave behind. The easy money, good friends, social life. Be wise, when you start thinking of leaving have a realistic goal and expectation of what you are heading to... Michael Hodges, Captain, M/Y Sentinel

My advice to anyone starting yachting no matter what kind of qualifications they have, is to start at the bottom on an old boat with a non existent budget, then slowly build up contacts and talk to crew agents for their advice. Work your way up the ladder... Neil Heselton, Captain

My advice to someone new to this industry starts with one of the most important.  Don’t close any doors; don’t walk out on jobs; don’t speak ill of others. The industry is small.  Always take the high road in any circumstance.  Be aware…what happens in France in the morning reaches Fort Lauderdale by noon... Kirsten Cavallini-Soothill of the American Yacht Institute

Yachting is a very small industry. Establishing a reputation for honesty, reliability and a good work ethic early on will prolong your career indefinitely... R G, Captain, Aus

Collect business cards because a mate or captain is only as good as a telephone number. This piece of advice is a huge asset to any captain or mate. At any given port, in any country, you may be asked to find for example, the best restaurant, a good taxi firm, or a reliable supplier. Being able to provide that useful number reflects very well on you... Neil Heselton, Captain

Be honest.  If you get a job you are not prepared to do you will be miserable and so will the person that believed you.  I once had to fire a guy after less than two weeks... Andrew B Smith, Captain, M/Y Huntress, AvPac Insurance Services