The Job Search
- Thread starter derg
- Start date
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
True story. About 1992 I was on a crew van with a horizon guy. He recognized me from when he flew for airpac into my old home town and spoke to me a couple of times. I totally didn't recognize him but remembered his story. He expressed an interest in my job and we talked. He was an f/o on the dash. Made capt at ups before me cause I'm lazy.
Pay2
Oberkellner
On a related note, learn how to use linkedin (if you use it at all). I reserve linkedin for professional contacts I have personally met and want to keep in contact with. Please don't request to connect with me because I have my job title listed and you think I'm going to hire you.
I'm not really as grumpy as this makes me sound.
I'm not really as grumpy as this makes me sound.
A
Adler
Guest
That's what you get for not going to the B/C Wendy's
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
Once upon a time LinkedIn was actually useful. But then it became more of a popularity contest like Facebook and its usefulness faded. The one place it probably still has some value is in fields where expertise isn't verifiable via certificate. Somebody who professes to be fluent in some specific coding language may have a portfolio but there is very little way for a potential client to verify the work is actually theirs. By having a profile and getting "validated" or whatever they call it, by people who you have done work for in the past may help in getting future jobs.
But for pilots? Eh. No thanks.
Maurus
The Great Gazoo
Personally I have a tough time figuring out how to go from "May I occupy your jumpseat?" to "hey what's your phone number or email?" or something similar. It just feels like I'm being way too forward and there may seem like an agenda behind my asking.
I would love to know how it is done. Some people just have a natural gift while people like me are completely clueless.
I have one internal at Delta because of my performance at his flight school that he owns and the fact that I kept in touch just by simply asking for career advice and giving updates. I had no expectation on getting an internal.
I know JC is a great step at the networking process and it sucks that the dates for network JC over the last 3 years did not work in my favor. I just hope the way I learn (active but a bit agressive) about this industry and flying on this site hasn't rubbed people too hard.
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
Most guys are pretty proud of where they work and will go out of their way to tell you that you should work there too. Well, everybody but USAirways guys were like that anyway when I was jumpseating a bunch still. Because of that it's pretty easy to make a contact. It won't work every time, but often times, all you've got to do is say something like "I really like <blank>. I think it would be an awesome place to work. Do you have any suggestions as far as how to get hired here?"
If you've been a cool person on the jumpseat and have passed the "can I sit next to this guy for a 4 day trip" test, I'd say about 50% of the time, one of the two pilots will give you a business card or offer to help you out. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CARD TO GIVE BACK TO THEM.
Give it a few days then email them to thank them for the jumpseat and tell them that you will be in touch some time. You've now closed the loop and have a contact. Follow up with this contact every 6 months or so (if they don't just ignore your first email) and remind them that you are still very interested in working there and if they have any suggestions or have heard anything that may help you out. Be sure to include what's new in your flying life as well such as upgrade, fleet change, committee positions (if they didn't seem like a union hater) etc. Don't write a novel, be become more than just a dude who once upon a time rode their jumpseat. They may not be willing to give you an LOR (I won't do it unless I've flown with the guy or know him pretty well over a couple of year period at a minimum) but they are a contact and they may be willing to stand up and say to a CP or a hiring committee or whatever "hey, I met this guy... he seemed cool". You put enough of those guys out there and sooner or later your name will come up enough (assuming you've been doing all the application work as well, that you'll pull an interview.
PhilosopherPilot
Well-Known Member
I received a call a couple weeks ago from a buddy that I haven't heard from in 2 years. It was a very awkward conversation because we both knew why he called, but he played it as if he wanted to "catch up." It would've been better if he had just said, "I'm calling because I'm wondering if you have any advice about getting on at your airline."
I know he was trying to be courteous, and I don't hold it against him, but the thinly veiled "friendly" call is less appealing than just getting out there with it. At least in my opinion it is. What do you guys think?
In contrast, a guy I know from XJT contacted me through linked in and directly asked, "I know you've been happy over there. Can I give you a call sometime to talk about the company and hiring process?"
I preferred the latter.
I know he was trying to be courteous, and I don't hold it against him, but the thinly veiled "friendly" call is less appealing than just getting out there with it. At least in my opinion it is. What do you guys think?
In contrast, a guy I know from XJT contacted me through linked in and directly asked, "I know you've been happy over there. Can I give you a call sometime to talk about the company and hiring process?"
I preferred the latter.
Screaming_Emu
Well-Known Member
I found a good way is if they are also a commuter you can offer to help them out with flight loads if they ever need it.
scooter2525
Very well Member
Right place at the right time got me the current gig. Mutual friends and previous professional relationships in good standing helped when I was being vetted. The conversation started something like,
Oh you work at blank? How do you like it there? I applied when the window opened and haven't heard anything. What do you think of my resumé?
Best day of snowboarding ever. Never know who you will meet or how it will come about.
Oh you work at blank? How do you like it there? I applied when the window opened and haven't heard anything. What do you think of my resumé?
Best day of snowboarding ever. Never know who you will meet or how it will come about.
KLB
Well-Known Member
I believe LinkedIn is a wonderful tool. I use LinkedIn to find out the real deal on a potential employer over using it just for job seeking. It works quite well with corporate aviation where there seems to be many small operators at every airport.
For example,
I was looking into a potential job opportunity. I knew nothing about the company and no one on JC knew much about them either. So I hopped on LinkedIn, sought out, and connected with a few current and former employees. Not only were they extremely helpful, one guy gave me his number and we had a conversation over the phone. He was a former employee there and laid out the pros and cons of working there. He is now a good associate of mines for other job opportunities and networking.
Looked at Monster for an hour. Lamented about so many people wanting a worthless degree. Thought about how only minorities and gays are getting hired on with Delta. Checked out airline apps, got discouraged with all the info they want. I updated it three years ago anyway so I should be good. Thought about maybe applying for one of those online colleges. Played Call of Duty instead. PM'ed guys on JC for LORs.
HVYMETALDRVR
Well-Known Member
I often update my apps pretty much everywhere. I'm a little shy when it comes to striking up a conversation, though I do often troll the A terminal for the food options and chat with the mainline guys that are willing to make eye contact. Like @PhilosopherPilot said above I try to take an honest interest in people and hear what they have to say than a fake "hey......." The guys I do talk to usually have some good stories and insight.
But, I'm off the rest of today so I'll probably have some new sexy business cards made.
KLB
Well-Known Member
Something else to consider. Not only do you network with people where you want to be, you should also network with people trying to get where you're at.
Sort of like give a penny take a penny....pass it forward and etc...
I talked to a guy (who then was a CFI) while waiting on freight in VGT one night way back when who is now CP of an air ambo ops who, off the cuff, offered me a job flying out of Texas.
Sort of like give a penny take a penny....pass it forward and etc...
I talked to a guy (who then was a CFI) while waiting on freight in VGT one night way back when who is now CP of an air ambo ops who, off the cuff, offered me a job flying out of Texas.
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
Totally unrelated to this post, but when a member changes their name, can we change the member type (well known member or whatever) to their former user name for a few months? I have no idea who this is now and I'm assuming with their 10K in posts, I should.