How many interviews does it take ?

[chosnp]

I hate to shed my tears of disappointment publicly but after 13 years in the business I'm curious as to others' experience interviewing. I've had several lately and nothing has panned out; what's equally frustrating is that the companies don't get back to you when they say they will, and only provide the most generic of responses thanks to our over litigious society. One prospective employer was, in my opinion anyway, unprofessional and the other two I can't say anything other than positive things about. I was even encouraged to stay in touch.

I don't have any red flags that I know of (DUIs, disciplinary action, attitude problems, etc) and a lot of what I think should work (half a dozen type ratings, Check Airman, working a long time at a couple of places, etc). It's a tough market out there to be sure and I've been targeting only what I believe to be jobs I really want vs. the old shotgun approach. What's more, I'm local to the positions which I was told was advantageous.

Really just wondering how things have gone for others I suppose.

 

[NickH]

My trouble has always been getting interviews!

I assume you follow the basics, like dressing well, etc.

There are questions which you always get asked, and have 'correct answers' which poll as most positive with interviewers.

What is your biggest strength? 'I am good with people'.

What is your biggest weakness? 'I tend to focus on details, but I'm working on improving'.

Ultimately practice and not getting too hung up on it is the answer. Assume that there must have been better candidates for the jobs you are applying to, and that there is a better job out there for you.

If you are not selected, you can always respond with a polite 'I hope you'll consider me in the future when I have more experience with xxxx'.

 

[chosnp]

At my last job I was singled out for being the consistently best dressed – not bragging but that's one thing I tried to get down early. I did follow up in a positive manner and can only hope for a change in fortune.

 

[Epic]

I've gotten airline offers 4/5 times. The first time I botched the paperwork, so my advice there is make sure you are a perfectionist when it comes to the cumbersome paperwork.

One thing I've adopted is just being 'real' and honest, so that they can see I'm a real person, not a robot barfing out the a-typical answers to the questions that they know I know they're going to ask.

Then again though, you seem to be very ahead of me in this silly career, so things are probably different up where you are.

GL m8

 

[ProudPilot]

Depends, are you looking regional pilot, mainline, corporate or aerospace related.

My experience ...

Regional pilot - canned answers, you get the job.

Mainline, decent stories with canned answers, you get the job.

Corporate, original answers with a lot of knowledge of the company.

Aerospace related - Be the best 1% of the top 1% and you have a chance. Then it's on to luck.

Just my experience.

 

[chosnp]

Depends, are you looking regional pilot, mainline, corporate or aerospace related.

My experience ...

Regional pilot - canned answers, you get the job.

Mainline, decent stories with canned answers, you get the job.

Corporate, original answers with a lot of knowledge of the company.

Aerospace related - Be the best 1% of the top 1% and you have a chance. Then it's on to luck.

Just my experience.

I would agree with the comment about 'Regional Pilot', having been there and obtained several offers before. Mainline – I can't say. No interviews ever offered (save a freight airline which I did not want). Been working on SWA for a year, turned down each window. Just got a, "the position is no longer available" letter from USAirways – and that was with a LOR from a very senior, recently retired Captain. It seems exceedingly difficult to get in the door. And I don't have a clue what could be ruling me out before I even sit down in front of you and open my mouth.

As for corporate, I disagree. I've been in this arena the most, and am finding an extremely large number of very qualified persons interested in each and every position. The ones I've interviewed for – they end up hiring someone already typed in the aircraft. Guess it makes the flight department manager look like a hero for saving $$$. Of course, if you have an 'in' with someone that helps as well because they already know that they get along with you (if you have flown together). That's how I got my current Part 91 jet gig. I didn't even have to interview.

Now back in the late '90's and even the 2003-2004 period I remember getting A LOT of inquiries about work. At those times I certainly felt like I was more in the driver's seat.