Where exactly can a dispatcher work?

Well, trying to bet on job availability in the airlines is a lot like betting on sports. You can make an educated guess, but until the time comes, you just don't know the results. I will say this though, and this is true whether the market is hot or cold... If you want a job in dispatch, you can find one. It might take a few weeks or even a few months, but if you keep making the phone calls, keep sending the resumes, and you have the right attitude, you WILL find a job. Not all applicants are created equal in this industry. Make yourself remarkable and you will get where you want to go.

So in direct answer to your question, yes, you have a good chance of getting a job. Whether one will fall into your lap or whether you have to pound cement to get it is the question.

May I ask what constitutes the "right attitude" and how to make it transpire through the resume? On my resume they will only see a bachelor degree in Poli. sci. from 1998 (I'm 39), a M.A. in French, a few years of teaching, and a dispatcher certificate. Would it fly?
 
May I ask what constitutes the "right attitude" and how to make it transpire through the resume? On my resume they will only see a bachelor degree in Poli. sci. from 1998 (I'm 39), a M.A. in French, a few years of teaching, and a dispatcher certificate. Would it fly?
Well, in a nutshell, having the "right attitude" really means not acting like anyone owes you anything. This is true for any professional contact where you are asking someone for something, but especially for job interviews. You'll be amazed how many people go into a job interview expecting to be hired, and having the attitude, especially after a few rejections, that they are being black listed and no one is giving them a fair shake.

Prior to the interview, study the airline you are interviewing for. It pays to have knowledge of the company at least on the basic level so you can converse intelligently about the company should it come up. Arrive on time, with a smile, make eye contact, answer the questions and be sure to thank the interviewer(s) for the opportunity to come and speak to them and indicate that you are looking forward to hearing from them, and then be prepared to wait. Some airlines are like government agencies, in that nothing happens quickly. The HR department, especially in times of rapid growth, are dealing with a LOT of applicants from many different departments, so it may take time. THAT BEING SAID, don't be afraid to, a few days to a week after the interview, reach out to them and touch base, letting them know you are still interested and look forward to the opportunity.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. Your entire career as a dispatcher is a job interview. This is a VERY small community and we all know of each other. Information travels fast with us and you'd be amazed how deep and high up the network runs. Point being, do well, work hard, have a positive attitude and you WILL find success sooner or later. Be a dick and you may find that opportunities may be few and far between.

As to the resume thing, I'm assuming you have some work experience as well. The fact that you have degrees AND you've taught will be bonuses to you, especially the teaching thing. It shows a desire to truly understand material presented to you. For your work experience, you want to focus on leadership items, opportunities for problem solving, conflict resolution and technical acumen. Dispatch is about time management, decision making in an environment that isn't always "black and white", problem solving in a dynamic environment and sometimes negotiation.

Anyway, the best advice I can give is, if you get "no", and you may well get several, do your best to be appreciative for the opportunity and keep positive and above all, PATIENCE. This is not a rapid process.

Good luck!
 
Well, in a nutshell, having the "right attitude" really means not acting like anyone owes you anything. This is true for any professional contact where you are asking someone for something, but especially for job interviews. You'll be amazed how many people go into a job interview expecting to be hired, and having the attitude, especially after a few rejections, that they are being black listed and no one is giving them a fair shake.

Prior to the interview, study the airline you are interviewing for. It pays to have knowledge of the company at least on the basic level so you can converse intelligently about the company should it come up. Arrive on time, with a smile, make eye contact, answer the questions and be sure to thank the interviewer(s) for the opportunity to come and speak to them and indicate that you are looking forward to hearing from them, and then be prepared to wait. Some airlines are like government agencies, in that nothing happens quickly. The HR department, especially in times of rapid growth, are dealing with a LOT of applicants from many different departments, so it may take time. THAT BEING SAID, don't be afraid to, a few days to a week after the interview, reach out to them and touch base, letting them know you are still interested and look forward to the opportunity.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. Your entire career as a dispatcher is a job interview. This is a VERY small community and we all know of each other. Information travels fast with us and you'd be amazed how deep and high up the network runs. Point being, do well, work hard, have a positive attitude and you WILL find success sooner or later. Be a dick and you may find that opportunities may be few and far between.

As to the resume thing, I'm assuming you have some work experience as well. The fact that you have degrees AND you've taught will be bonuses to you, especially the teaching thing. It shows a desire to truly understand material presented to you. For your work experience, you want to focus on leadership items, opportunities for problem solving, conflict resolution and technical acumen. Dispatch is about time management, decision making in an environment that isn't always "black and white", problem solving in a dynamic environment and sometimes negotiation.

Anyway, the best advice I can give is, if you get "no", and you may well get several, do your best to be appreciative for the opportunity and keep positive and above all, PATIENCE. This is not a rapid process.

Good luck!

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this lengthy yet insightful reply. I've been contemplating the idea for a long time now and I don't want to delay acting upon it anymore. It's obviously not for the money but it's because I for once want to go for something I love and make a career out of it.
 
We are actually in SRQ, but Global Ops Center/Western Global Airlines is an option (121 Supplemental Cargo).

There is another start up in MCO I think, called Orange, and they are still in the certification process.

Hold up.. I had no idea there was anything in SRQ. I live in Tampa so that could be doable! Tell me more.
 
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