Those dreaded HR questions...

chrisreedrules

chrisreedrules

Master Blaster
Pretty much everyone here who has had an interview knows to expect the usual questions about the aircraft we've flown and the technical stuff... But what about those dreaded HR questions? I don't know about you, but I've always worried more about the HR stuff than anything else. I'm a classic over-thinker so answering some of these can prove difficult for me. I thought it might be helpful to post a list of typical HR questions one might encounter in an interview for a flying job. That way, you can give them a once over and start thinking about how you would answer some of these. Hope these help someone!

*What would the person who recommended you say about you?

*What are you currently flying?

*Tell me some of the positives and negatives about your aircraft...

*Do you think you will have any issues transitioning to a glass cockpit?

*What do you have to offer (insert company name)?

*Will you be successful in our training?

*Tell me about a time you didn't get along with someone you flew with...

*Tell me about a time you had a problem with a captain...

*How did you resolve said problem?

*Tell me about a time you had a situation where a checklist didn't apply...

*Tell me about a time you knowingly broke a company policy...

*How would you and your family (if applicable) handle moving to (insert city)?

*Tell me about a time you were a successful leader...

*Tell me about a time you flew with someone that was unsafe...

*Tell me about a time that you would like to do over again if you had the chance...

*Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a subordinate...

*How did you resolve said conflict?

*Tell me about a time you did something unsafe...

*Have you ever broken an FAR?

*Tell me about a time you made a mistake or were distracted in the cockpit...

*Tell me about a time you "shined" as a pilot/crew-member...

*Tell me about your worst emergency you have encountered...

*What three words describe you?

*Are you comfortable flying a glass cockpit?

*What makes a good captain?

*Tell me about a time you failed as a leader?

*Tell me about a time you followed a policy that you disagreed with...

*How would your friends describe you?

*Tell me about your most memorable flight...

*Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for the company...

*Describe your leadership style...

*Name three traits every pilot should have...

If anyone else has any good questions to add to these feel free! Thanks!
 
I did a special for Comedy Central and I had to take a physical, a verbal physical. A bunch of yes and no questions, but they were strangely worded. Like, “Have you ever tried sugar… or PCP?” -Mitch Hedberg
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chrisreedrules said:
Pretty much everyone here who has had an interview knows to expect the usual questions about the aircraft we've flown and the technical stuff... But what about those dreaded HR questions? I don't know about you, but I've always worried more about the HR stuff than anything else. I'm a classic over-thinker so answering some of these can prove difficult for me. I thought it might be helpful to post a list of typical HR questions one might encounter in an interview for a flying job. That way, you can give them a once over and start thinking about how you would answer some of these. Hope these help someone!

*What would the person who recommended you say about you?
They'd say I'm like a Rock Star.

*What are you currently flying?
An airplane.

*Tell me some of the positives and negatives about your aircraft...
Pass

*Do you think you will have any issues transitioning to a glass cockpit?
It should be no problem, as long as I don't throw stones.

*What do you have to offer (insert company name)?
Refer to answer #1.

*Will you be successful in our training?
yup

*Tell me about a time you didn't get along with someone you flew with...
I've been advised not to talk about it by my Attorney.

*Tell me about a time you had a problem with a captain...
You sure ask a lot of questions. Do you have a lot of problems with that at this company?

*How did you resolve said problem?
You still haven't answered MY question.

*Tell me about a time you had a situation where a checklist didn't apply...
When I was working in a bakery I guess, and in my personal life... kind of a vague question don't you think?

*Tell me about a time you knowingly broke a company policy...
Is this a trick question?

*How would you and your family (if applicable) handle moving to (insert city)?
Not willing to relocate

*Tell me about a time you were a successful leader...
Tell you what, when I get around to penning my autobiography I'll send you a signed copy.

*Tell me about a time you flew with someone that was unsafe...
Been fortunate enough not to.

*Tell me about a time that you would like to do over again if you had the chance...
No regrets.

*Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a subordinate...
I explained how we weren't part of a cheerocracy.

*How did you resolve said conflict?
By explaining how we weren't part of a cheerocracy, were you not listening? Please pay attention when I am speaking to you.

*Tell me about a time you did something unsafe...
scissors...we've all done it.

*Have you ever broken an FAR?
yup

*Tell me about a time you made a mistake or were distracted in the cockpit...
a what?

*Tell me about a time you "shined" as a pilot/crew-member...
every time I throw a leg over one.

*Tell me about your worst emergency you have encountered...
House fire when I was a kid.

*What three words describe you?
sense of humility

*Are you comfortable flying a glass cockpit?
as long as the edges aren't sharp

*What makes a good captain?
it's the hat!

*Tell me about a time you failed as a leader?
I try not to dwell on the negatives

*Tell me about a time you followed a policy that you disagreed with...
employees must wash hands before returning to work

*How would your friends describe you?
magnanimous

*Tell me about your most memorable flight...
actually every last flight at all 67 of my previous employerers have been very memorable, as well as enjoyable.

*Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for the company...
Sorry... it's not your question I'm laughing at, I was thinking about something I saw on the radio this morning.

*Describe your leadership style...
anarchy

*Name three traits every pilot should have...
a wicked cool smile, colon of stainless steel, and giant brains.

:sarcasm:
Just in case anyone didn't catch it.

If anyone else has any good questions to add to these feel free! Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
What would you do if the Captain smelt like alcohol?

If it's Whip Whitaker we won't have a problem.
 
What would you do if you suspected a captain had been drinking? Also, in what fashion do you take control of the aircraft from the captain if he is doing something you feel puts the safety of the flight in jeopardy?

I would love somebody to answer these for me, I am not to the point of interviewing anywhere yet so I really don't know the right answer for them, I am very curious to know though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I've gotten every flying job I've ever applied for/interviewed with. I have ZERO clue if my answers to HR questions are right or wrong. My impression is that HR questions are just formalities that don't really matter. At that level, it's probably going to matter a lot. :)

The thing with HR is that there's quite a bit of psyche evaluation taking place. Especially when you get real HR people involved in the interview process. Overly simplistic answers aren't good, and really long ones aren't either. ITS A TRAP! :)
 
I've gotten every flying job I've ever applied for/interviewed with. I have ZERO clue if my answers to HR questions are right or wrong. My impression is that HR questions are just formalities that don't really matter. At that level, it's probably going to matter a lot. :)

The thing with HR is that there's quite a bit of psyche evaluation taking place. Especially when you get real HR people involved in the interview process. Overly simplistic answers aren't good, and really long ones aren't either. ITS A TRAP! :)
 
And when they tell you that you're answers are not particularly helpful, just say "They're about as useful as your questions."

Joking.... but not really. Honestly I'm not sure I want to work for a company that asks such worthless things in an interview. Apparently HR is worthless, wonder what/who else is.

How about at the end of the interview they ask you, "Do you have any questions?"
"Yes! Does everyone at this company suck at their job as much as you?"
 
I REALLY like the "tell me about a time when you were scared" question though. That's a hard one to can or make up and I haven't met anyone who sincerely has never been scared in an airplane. That question can cover many of the other BS questions too.
 
chrisreedrules said:
Pretty much everyone here who has had an interview knows to expect the usual questions about the aircraft we've flown and the technical stuff... But what about those dreaded HR questions? I don't know about you, but I've always worried more about the HR stuff than anything else. I'm a classic over-thinker so answering some of these can prove difficult for me. I thought it might be helpful to post a list of typical HR questions one might encounter in an interview for a flying job. That way, you can give them a once over and start thinking about how you would answer some of these. Hope these help someone!

*What would the person who recommended you say about you?

*What are you currently flying?

*Tell me some of the positives and negatives about your aircraft...

*Do you think you will have any issues transitioning to a glass cockpit?

*What do you have to offer (insert company name)?

*Will you be successful in our training?

*Tell me about a time you didn't get along with someone you flew with...

*Tell me about a time you had a problem with a captain...

*How did you resolve said problem?

*Tell me about a time you had a situation where a checklist didn't apply...

*Tell me about a time you knowingly broke a company policy...

*How would you and your family (if applicable) handle moving to (insert city)?

*Tell me about a time you were a successful leader...

*Tell me about a time you flew with someone that was unsafe...

*Tell me about a time that you would like to do over again if you had the chance...

*Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a subordinate...

*How did you resolve said conflict?

*Tell me about a time you did something unsafe...

*Have you ever broken an FAR?

*Tell me about a time you made a mistake or were distracted in the cockpit...

*Tell me about a time you "shined" as a pilot/crew-member...

*Tell me about your worst emergency you have encountered...

*What three words describe you?

*Are you comfortable flying a glass cockpit?

*What makes a good captain?

*Tell me about a time you failed as a leader?

*Tell me about a time you followed a policy that you disagreed with...

*How would your friends describe you?

*Tell me about your most memorable flight...

*Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for the company...

*Describe your leadership style...

*Name three traits every pilot should have...

If anyone else has any good questions to add to these feel free! Thanks!
Click to expand...
uploadfromtaptalk1355325613300.jpg


To add for all:

Go on Amazon, purchase this book, read it at least 3 times, and you should be good to go!

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
 
Trip7 said:
View attachment 22484

To add for all:

Go on Amazon, purchase this book, read it at least 3 times, and you should be good to go!
Click to expand...

I used Cage Consulting for interview prep in August. It's basically a live version of reading through the book with feedback. I'd highly suggest them (or the guy down in Dallas who does a lot of prep for SWA) if you have a big interview coming up.

The basic premise of HR questions is garner both something about you AND to discover how you organize and retell data. You need to have enough stories (and that's what all of these questions are looking for) for each type of situation that you can highlight different parts to answer the question given. Also, how you tell them is important. It should be between 2 and 3 minutes. It should set up the situation, explain what you did and why you did it and then close with the (positive) result.
 
I have heard checklist is a good one, and for any further interviews I intend to use Emerald Coast. Sweaty palms is too dated, for instance eye contact is no longer a 50/50 mix, it's now a staring contest that you can practice with your cat!
 
Never look them in the eye. It means you're challenging their authority and could be grounds for a duel. I always stare at their belt buckle. If that doesn't work 3rd button down from the top.
 
I have always found that a positive result is challenging to find, especially in situations where you have a conflict with a coworker or a supervisor. Maybe it is just me, but most of those situations don't really end positively - rather you go home and complain about them to your spouse and the two of you don't care to fly together for a while. I don't see most people "hugging it out" or resolving their differences over a frosty beverage.

Sadly, "went home and complained about him on Facebook" is not a good result.
 
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