Why attend these types of events?

RightSeatGirl

RightSeatGirl

KA'PLAH BITCHES!
Posting this question here vs. starting a new thread..

Doug, just off the top of your head, not looking for a real number, how many attendees to one of your events do you think got a job that resulted from being at the expo? Perhaps just a rough percentage.

Not being critical with the question at all, just trying to decide whether going to this event or others like it are worth the time and expense. As I know next to nothing about events such as these. I know networking is networking but there are ways to do that without travel and money spent. Sell it to me! I need to get out of PDT before they close the doors..
 
Re: We have USAirways!!! Confirmed! Pilots & Flight Attenda

RightSeatGirl said:
Posting this question here vs. starting a new thread..

Doug, just off the top of your head, not looking for a real number, how many attendees to one of your events do you think got a job that resulted from being at the expo? Perhaps just a rough percentage.

Not being critical with the question at all, just trying to decide whether going to this event or others like it are worth the time and expense. As I know next to nothing about events such as these. I know networking is networking but there are ways to do that without travel and money spent. Sell it to me! I need to get out of PDT before they close the doors..
Click to expand...

I don't keep any track of that at all.

We had Eagle and Skywest a few years ago and people had success. How many? I have no idea! Otherwise i wouldn't be any better than a Gulfstream Airlines recruiter: "Come here, get a jawb!"

I don't sell jobs. However, I'm trying to provide opportunity for those seeking it.

Were providing a opportunity to network, learn, attend a job fair and have some fun. An attendees success is solely dependent upon being self-starting, motivated and ability to capture opportunity.

Especially when it comes to US Airways. They said they wanted pilots and cabin crew (COO stated that they're looking at 300 in 2011), here's your chance to meet them face-to-face at the career fair, casually speak over a cocktail at the networking event later that evening and sell yourself if you're seeking opportunity.

Part of me is trying to recreate an environment that I was able to grab an interview with American before they started hiring back in the mid-90's. I met some reps at a formal career fair in Dallas, shook some hands and made a bee-line straight for UAL because they were the preferred carrier at the time.

A few hours later, I was at the hotel bar having an overpriced beer making small talk with some old guy with a Texas accent. What I did for a living, told him some stories about being a Californian and surviving my first winter in Wisconsin and what my career aspirations ultimately were.

So he says, "Alright Son, here's my card I'm going to have my secretary call you monday about bringing you in for an interview."

That man was Cecil Ewell of American was chief pilot/vp of flight operations.

Hell, i thought he was some random dude that was trying to make small talk. Had i known who he was, I'd probably have wrecked the opportunity by getting nervous or trying not to be myself for having gone into "interview mode".

Not that I got the job or anything but that's kind of the opportunity I'm trying to provide.
 
Re: We have USAirways!!! Confirmed! Pilots & Flight Attenda

You ought a go into Politics!...**Teasin you **..Thanks for the reply.
 
Re: We have USAirways!!! Confirmed! Pilots & Flight Attenda

We'll be doing some surveying after this event since it's of a different scope...that way, next time, we'll be able to answer how many actually profit from the event one way or another.
 
A better question would be how many came to the NJC event and found that it enhanced their life by helping them develop friendships, mentors, contacts and even just the feeling that you are a part of a group....something bigger than yourself or even just a job. This group has been with me for several employers now, and will be there when I need advice, or just an ear to listen. That is far more valuable than any single job.

We are a community.

RSG, learn to take a longer view of things. This post to me seems more of a selfish approach. On its face it says to me that you are only interested in your immediate gratification, and not in the process of development, of yourself or our community.

When you consider that these (JC) events are not only opportunities to meet people who can do something for you, it allows you the opportunity to do something for others!

We are a community.

How can you define the success of this event in pure hiring numbers?

One of my lifelong friends who I met at NJC '06 is interested in moving out of aviation and into public safety. I have a background in public safety, so I have been able to help give him perspectives that would never be available at just an aviation job fair.

We are a community.

Did I get a job from an NJC event....strictly speaking no. Did I have experiences, conversations, make friendships, find mentors that helped me be more of a value to an employer; someone who has a much better understanding of the realities of a career in aviation, not just all the high points?

Yes...that's the value of a community.

We are a community.


So, to answer your question, the value of this event is that it not just an opportunity to meet employers, it is an opportunity to join...our community.
 
I think it can be summed up by acknowledging that it isn't what you know, it's who you know, that will get you a job. It is that simple. Imagine the hiring process from any side of the equation: how do you stand out? Why hire you? Who are you? If there is a stack of resumes, how do we decide who to call?

If you know someone, even just a handshake, then you stand a better chance. Personally, I was hired at SkyWest in 2005 because I got to know some guys on here. I continue to benefit from those friendships in many ways.
 
I don't know how much it helped me, but I met the Eagle recruiter at NJC in 2007 and she remembered me when I interviewed this year. I thought it was a great opportunity to get some real face time. Just a good thing she was there 5 hours later after Doug tapped the keg;)
 
Ophir said:
I think it can be summed up by acknowledging that it isn't what you know, it's who you know, that will get you a job. It is that simple. Imagine the hiring process from any side of the equation: how do you stand out? Why hire you? Who are you? If there is a stack of resumes, how do we decide who to call?

If you know someone, even just a handshake, then you stand a better chance. Personally, I was hired at SkyWest in 2005 because I got to know some guys on here. I continue to benefit from those friendships in many ways.
Click to expand...

yeah, but you crazy:D
 
Oh and one more thing, I have never made more friends in aviation that I have either helped or helped me since going to the event three years ago. I have passed on several opportunities those friends had for me, but they were there nonetheless. My wife even is still, to this day, very good friends with several other attendees spouses, which has been great!
 
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