Career advice
- Thread starter WLFPAK
- Start date
MT
Well-Known Member
You and I are in the same boat and I can really understand your frustration. To pour salt in the wound, I know people who have less than 2 years that have not only got calls back but also job offers. We're definitely doing something wrong. I look forward to the magic secret appearing in our PM boxes!
womanpilot73
Well-Known Member
Have you guys been networking hard? I feel like so much of it is luck (right time/right place), but also a big part of it is making contacts and maintaining those contacts. This will continue to be my personal strategy...
MT
Well-Known Member
Really haven't had any opportunities to network. I can't really go bang on their door and say let's network! 
Still doesn't explain why someone I know with 3 years of experience and no network was able to get an interview/offer and I'm left staring at my inbox/phone wondering who I upset.
Still doesn't explain why someone I know with 3 years of experience and no network was able to get an interview/offer and I'm left staring at my inbox/phone wondering who I upset.
CPZ9900
Well-Known Member
Really haven't had any opportunities to network. I can't really go bang on their door and say let's network!
Still doesn't explain why someone I know with 3 years of experience and no network was able to get an interview/offer and I'm left staring at my inbox/phone wondering who I upset.
I don't think you're doing anything wrong, I just think companies want people they can mold not someone possibly set in their ways. I have only been dispatching for a few months but have been called and interviewed very recently at two majors, where as people I know have been dispatching for years and don't even get a call back.
MT
Well-Known Member
Then I guess it's game over.
So happy I was lied to in dispatch school. Everyone said, "You're going to have to go to a regional and get experience. Probably 5 years or so." "The majors require a lot of experience," they said. Guess I was the fool when I got in, Majors were not even thinking of hiring back then.
So happy I was lied to in dispatch school. Everyone said, "You're going to have to go to a regional and get experience. Probably 5 years or so." "The majors require a lot of experience," they said. Guess I was the fool when I got in, Majors were not even thinking of hiring back then.
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
Not to sound overly zealous (I have no affiliation other than being a regular member) but if you're not an ADF member I would consider joining them and going to their symposiums. They are great for meeting other people in the industry, including lots of dispatchers at the majors.
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
Then I guess it's game over.
So happy I was lied to in dispatch school. Everyone said, "You're going to have to go to a regional and get experience. Probably 5 years or so." "The majors require a lot of experience," they said. Guess I was the fool when I got in, Majors were not even thinking of hiring back then.
I had about 10 years of experience when I got interviewed (and hired) by a major so I wouldn't give up! Networking does help, not so much with the job offer part but in the who's hiring and when to apply part.
belgiumania
Well-Known Member
If you're having such difficulty why don't you have a professional go over your resume and cover letter? It can't hurt and the cost would be easily recouped when you got on with a major. I would even have one of your contacts at a major go over it, or at the very least a coworker or two. And perhaps even attend an interviewing seminar, most Community Colleges offer them for free.
And think about the things you might be lacking on your resume; a BA isn't technically a requirement at most places but in practice it makes a big difference. An AA/AS could even be enough to give you an edge.
And networking is huge. Use your former coworkers who have moved on, use LinkedIn, use your DX school as a resource to get into contact with people.
And think about the things you might be lacking on your resume; a BA isn't technically a requirement at most places but in practice it makes a big difference. An AA/AS could even be enough to give you an edge.
And networking is huge. Use your former coworkers who have moved on, use LinkedIn, use your DX school as a resource to get into contact with people.
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
I don't attend them all, but they have a symposium every year. Usually every other year it's near DC. Keep an eye out on their web site to see if it's something you'd be interested in. Something new - at least this was the case last year - if you're an ADF member, there is no registration fee to attend.
PlaneFan82
Well-Known Member
I would not give up. I have been dispatching since 2008, and I would not give up at all. It is totally about the right time/place in my opinion. When you see a posting for a dispatcher, apply for it...the worse thing a company can say is "no". I too have seen people with less experience that I get callback and job offers, and although it is frustrating, it makes me work even harder.Then I guess it's game over.
So happy I was lied to in dispatch school. Everyone said, "You're going to have to go to a regional and get experience. Probably 5 years or so." "The majors require a lot of experience," they said. Guess I was the fool when I got in, Majors were not even thinking of hiring back then.
I whole heartedly agree with obtaining a BA/BS to make yourself more competitive...it does not even have to be aviation related...a degree in underwater basket weaving can give you an edge. If you can get into a supervisory, training, or management position at your current company that looks great on a resume, and shows professional growth. Keep your head up, and don't throw the towel in yet. There are going to be lots of opportunities in the coming months at many of the majors as the older dispatchers start looking towards retirement.
womanpilot73
Well-Known Member
MT
Well-Known Member
Went into ultimate meltdown yesterday. Sorry bout that.
I've yet to miss a single major posting since 2008.
Here in lies my problem. I'm finishing my BS will have it in December. I have been dispatching for the "requisite" five years, have supervisory and training experience. Heck I even taught at a part 65 dispatch school in the past. I have done everything I've been told to do to get there. That's why I keep scratching my head (going postal =P) when my phone doesn't ring yet people who haven't even hit a year dispatch experience are getting in.
I don't want to seem entitled, good for them, but shouldn't paying you dues get you something other than the finger? I just want to know what else I can do. I've pretty much exhausted everything in my control.
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
MT - you might consider having a pro look over your resume/cover letter, if you haven't done that already. Could be a simple rewrite would highlight your qualities more effectively and help push you into the pile of candidates receiving a call for an interview. Just a thought. If you don't want to go the pro route, you could also have a trusted co-worker or former teacher look it over to see what they think of it.