Seggy
Well-Known Member
My place is going to be hiring a lot of folks over the next ten years. In the spirit of this website I put together some tips I have gathered from the Recruiters, Chief Pilots, and Human Resources. I am by no means saying if you do everything I say you are guaranteed to get hired. Also, if you feel uncomfortable with anything I am saying and want to do things differently, go ahead. I am just saying what I heard/seen.
-Apply as soon as you meet the minimums. A few reasons for this. It gives you a great talking point when they ask you, 'why do you want to work here' as you can point back to the fact in your answer you applied as soon as you could. Furthermore, they do look at when you initially apply as it is a great indicator of how badly you want to work at a carrier. Also, update your application every few weeks.
-Go to job fairs until you get hired. Every time you go to a job fair, it is my understanding that they take the resumes, and give an applicant positive points 'to interview'. Furthermore, don't be bitching and moaning when you get to the front of the line on how the wait sucked. They understand it can be frustrating, but they are looking for an applicant to be outgoing and approachable in situations where say you are delayed heavily and a customer needs a question answered. Job fairs are a great test of this.
-Letters of recommendation. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. I would also only put letters of recommendation on file with airlineapps with only employees that work at my place (they don't have to be pilots, but any type of employee with a badge from my employer). I know two guys who got hired with only one letter of recommendation on file. The letters were from the right people, but they only had one on file. The best type of letter of recommendation (from my understanding) is someone you have flown with that is currently a pilot at my place, then line pilots, then any other employee group at my place that can vouch for you. If you want to put down a pastor or another pilot you have flown with not employed by my employer, once again, I would be hesitant to put them down for a letter of recommendation. I would use them for a personal reference on the application instead (if you are saying you MUST have a letter of recommendation on file from a certain someone, go ahead, just remember quality over quantity). For reference, I had five letters of recommendation when I was hired, all from line pilots at my place. However, they only wanted to talk about how great of a guy one of my letters of recommendation was and how he has been great as a Check Airman for them. Once again, QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.
-Our recruiters fly the line. Don't be asking for a jumpseat in a North-face Fleece Jacket and then start bitching about the ground operation at a certain station when a high level recruiter is the Captain of the flight (true story).
-See if one of your contacts can set up for a Chief Pilot meet and greet. Treat it like an interview. Suit, polished shoes, logbooks in shape, resume (keep it to one page @ClarkGriswold
), etc. The Chief Pilots really want to get to know you in this scenario, but don't be 'that guy' not taking it seriously.
-NETWORK!
-Show them you are a well rounded individual. Be confident, but humble.
For the regional guys, I know things are looking sucky right now. Don't let the suckiness get you down, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a freight train.
Good luck!
-Apply as soon as you meet the minimums. A few reasons for this. It gives you a great talking point when they ask you, 'why do you want to work here' as you can point back to the fact in your answer you applied as soon as you could. Furthermore, they do look at when you initially apply as it is a great indicator of how badly you want to work at a carrier. Also, update your application every few weeks.
-Go to job fairs until you get hired. Every time you go to a job fair, it is my understanding that they take the resumes, and give an applicant positive points 'to interview'. Furthermore, don't be bitching and moaning when you get to the front of the line on how the wait sucked. They understand it can be frustrating, but they are looking for an applicant to be outgoing and approachable in situations where say you are delayed heavily and a customer needs a question answered. Job fairs are a great test of this.
-Letters of recommendation. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. I would also only put letters of recommendation on file with airlineapps with only employees that work at my place (they don't have to be pilots, but any type of employee with a badge from my employer). I know two guys who got hired with only one letter of recommendation on file. The letters were from the right people, but they only had one on file. The best type of letter of recommendation (from my understanding) is someone you have flown with that is currently a pilot at my place, then line pilots, then any other employee group at my place that can vouch for you. If you want to put down a pastor or another pilot you have flown with not employed by my employer, once again, I would be hesitant to put them down for a letter of recommendation. I would use them for a personal reference on the application instead (if you are saying you MUST have a letter of recommendation on file from a certain someone, go ahead, just remember quality over quantity). For reference, I had five letters of recommendation when I was hired, all from line pilots at my place. However, they only wanted to talk about how great of a guy one of my letters of recommendation was and how he has been great as a Check Airman for them. Once again, QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.
-Our recruiters fly the line. Don't be asking for a jumpseat in a North-face Fleece Jacket and then start bitching about the ground operation at a certain station when a high level recruiter is the Captain of the flight (true story).
-See if one of your contacts can set up for a Chief Pilot meet and greet. Treat it like an interview. Suit, polished shoes, logbooks in shape, resume (keep it to one page @ClarkGriswold
), etc. The Chief Pilots really want to get to know you in this scenario, but don't be 'that guy' not taking it seriously.-NETWORK!
-Show them you are a well rounded individual. Be confident, but humble.
For the regional guys, I know things are looking sucky right now. Don't let the suckiness get you down, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a freight train.
Good luck!
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