"Cold Calling" at an FBO/Corporate hangars

J

jclawson07

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone,

I'm currently looking to break into the corporate world and realizing its quite the daunting task. I currently have very few contacts and all my searches have come up with nothing. I have seen some re-accuring advice of just going to the FBOs or going to Corporate hangars with resume/business card in hand and start networking.

I've never attempted to do this and have no idea where to begin so I'm seeking some advice. Does anyone have some do's and don'ts as far as this goes. I feel like I have exhausted my resources and cold calling is as good as an option as any.

Also on a random note, does anyone know if you're able to just walk into the Signature and Atlantic at Chicago Midway or do you have to buzzed in?

I really appreciate any and all help.
 
Seems to work here... At least it worked for me. I met a pilot for this organization on one of the other message boards, got an overnight in his city. Met him, got a tour of the department, and dropped off a resume.

When they hired next I got a phone interview. The rest, I suppose, was luck.
 
Do it.

People don't do enough in-person footwork when they're looking for a job.

If I were in a position to hire, I'd look at the shoes. If they look like they've got some mileage on them, they pass. If all I see is an online application, only an email or a pair of shoes that it looks like their mother forced them to wear because she's tired of him sleeping on the couch, no thanks.

The best bit of advice my father gave me is that if there is somewhere you truly wanted to work, be there every morning asking about a job. Worked for him, worked for me.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. Do you have any tips as far as to how to start the conversation? I mean do I just go into an FBO and talk to crews that come in? Should have my resume handy?

Thanks.
 
What I'm about to say applies to ANY job searching in a cold-calling mode. Do this - even if it feels funny, do it at least once. I swear the response will be positive:

Yes, you should have your resume handy. You should also do some research ahead of time and find out who to ask for at the front desk...name of chief pilot or HR person. Failing that, the name of a General Manager. This is absolutely CRUCIAL because without a name, you won't look like you did your homework, and you won't have a line through the "gatekeeper" at the front desk.

When they come out, a simple, genuine smile and a handshake:

"Hello, Bob - I'm John Smith and I'm a <insert description> interested in working with your organization. I was wondering if I could drop off a resume and perhaps schedule a time for an interview, since I meet your qualifications (or replace with: 'since I am qualified for') for <insert job opening, or desired position> and would like to see if I'd be a fit with your company."

The key to this is specifics - you have specific name, specific job or job opening - not "pilot looking for any kind of work" but rather, "FO on your Falcon" or "type-rated captain on your gulfstream" or "FO with King Air time" or whatever you've got that applies to what they do.

Specificity does two things: it shows that you did your homework, which is a sign of preparedness and competence and respect for their needs. It also respects the time of the hiring manager. Time is the one thing money cannot buy, so being respectful of their time is critical. Professionalism when job hunting means anticipating the needs of the buyer; because you are the product and the sales rep. Sell your competence within the first 30 seconds. You are an available product to either solve a problem they have right now or are going to have. Most importantly, they will respect you, and less likely to try and exploit you.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
 
Where do you work now? Simply going into an FBO like Atlantic or Signature at Midway won't work as well as just happening to be there, ie I am flying the twin Cessna out there, or whatever. Most of the time, you will only meet pilots in an FBO, which is good because that can turn into a recomendation, but usually you won't be meeting the folks that do the hiring, and if you do they are probably just trying to relax between flights. Talk to the pilots you meet about their company, if they like it, what they dislike about it, if they are hiring. At that point offer a business card or ask for a business card and then ask where you could submit a resume. You can walk right in the Signature building, but must be buzzed into the Atlantic parking lot.

Going to the office of a charter or corporate company is a good idea, but like killbilly said, knowing someone's name is a very good idea. If you can't find a name, just ask to speak with the chief pilot or director of ops. Sometimes you may only get to meet a mechanic.. that's good too. Just be professional and ask them if you can drop of a resume. Let them know you have time to talk to them, but if they don't have time you understand and would just appreciate them taking a look at your resume when they have a chance and/or a job opening.
 
Also, for the most part, simply scanning the job sites and the internet as the alpha and omega of your job search is pointless. Lots and lots of footwork you need.

Damn, I just had a Yoda Moment.
 
Always chat with pilots at FBOs. You'll get great info about their companies and may even meet the right people. I was sitting at an FBO chatting with another pilot and it sounded like he was working for a pretty good company, so I just asked when they would be hiring. He responded that he was the chief pilot and that he was currently looking for a pilot. I interviewed with him right there and got a job offer a week later. I ended up not taking it, but that's proof positive that chatting can get you some good contacts.
 
Derg said:
Do it.

The best bit of advice my father gave me is that if there is somewhere you truly wanted to work, be there every morning asking about a job. Worked for him, worked for me.
Click to expand...

Great advice. All of my jobs were the exact same way.

Another thing is to make sure you know some details about the organization you are walking into.
 
Small talk the hell out of everyone you see is how you break the ice. I'll admit, many people just look unapproachable, fatigued, upset about something, in hurry to get going again, or even arrogant. I've found charter guys particularly hard to talk to, but they don't exactly hang around the airport typically. Not long enough to get a conversation going at least. They get in and want to give the FBO their fuel order and get out to do whatever. Understandable. But small talk will give you their state of mind at the very least. If you're getting one word responses, they've probably got other things going on.

One thing I wouldn't do is when they walk in the door, go up to them and be like "HEEEYYYYY!!!!". :D

It's easier to talk to people with similar interests. I think most pilots forget that we all have one pretty big common interest, flying. Maybe start there for an ice breaker. Point out a crazy looking airplane on the ramp, there's usually at least one. haha

As far as I know, you can walk into any FBO just like any other terminal on the field. I've never had a problem at any busy FBO with 121 service on the other side. You'll find that security on the GA side is that there is none. I can't say the same for the ramp if you're not supposed to be there though. ;)

What kind of work are you doing now? Do you work on the GA side? That does make it tremendously easier if you do. They'll see that you at least fly, what you fly, and may even approach YOU. I'll say that flying freight in a bug smasher is instant networking in the winter time, especially with air ambulance operators. "You flew THAT in THIS, what was that like?" Part 61 CFIs probably have it best though as they're there ALL the time and may even fly with a lot of the guys operating at the field. I don't know what your current living situation is now, but I'm just pointing out that it may not be a bad idea to do some work on that side of the field for a couple months to get seen and noticed.
 
Derg said:
Also, for the most part, simply scanning the job sites and the internet as the alpha and omega of your job search is pointless. Lots and lots of footwork you need.

Damn, I just had a Yoda Moment.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice for corporate flying or smaller companies. Any thoughts on how this may apply or not at all to large airlines? Is attempting to show your face in some regard of any value or even possible, or would that be construed as more of a problem than a benefit to getting hired?
 
Thanks for all of the advice guys. I'm currently a 121 guy so spending times at an FBO would have to be on my own time which I'm ready to do; just trying to get a good game plan before i go in and do more damage than good.

Anyone have any good advice on where to get info on flight departments in certain cities and or good job search sites?
 
I called a friend who worked for an NBAA department and asked him to look up the departments I was interested in on the NBAA directory. Names and numbers galore. When I called I always used the same line: "I'm a pilot who lives here locally and I was interested in talking to you about your flight department. Would it be ok if I stopped by sometime?". Worked 80% of the time.
 
jclawson07 said:
Thanks for all of the advice guys. I'm currently a 121 guy so spending times at an FBO would have to be on my own time which I'm ready to do; just trying to get a good game plan before i go in and do more damage than good.

Anyone have any good advice on where to get info on flight departments in certain cities and or good job search sites?
Click to expand...

When I needed a job in Socal I just started calling FBOs and asking for the charter companies on the field. One of my first calls, the woman answering the phone told me about Charterhub.com. I used it to find the 135 operators on the field. I was nearly a 1000 miles away so visiting each operator was not an option.

I called the phone #s and got the name of the Chief Pilot and Email address. I also asked some general questions about the company so I had an idea of what the operation was like. I introduced myself to the person on the phone at the end and thanked them for their time. I also wrote down the name of the person I talked to so I could reference it in the future. I tailored a cover letter and resume to match the companies mission and sent it to the Chief Pilot. I would call a few days later and try to get ahold of the CP to follow up. I was able to get in touch with about half of the CPs and got some inside information. After maybe a dozen tries to contact every CP in the area and maybe 30% were never in, nor returned an email or phone call.

For the places that were potentials I visited dressed in slacks, dress shirt and tie and dropped off my resume or met with the Chief Pilot if he was available. Every other month I would send an updated resume and follow up with a phone call, or drop a resume off if I was in the area. After 6 months of doing this I finally got a job answered a posting here on JC. Even though all my efforts were for not, I now know half the CPs in the area I now live in and they recognize me when I stop by, so maybe that cushy corporate job is still out there for me.
 
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