Why should we hire you?

Thanks for these great responses! I also meant ask about the strength vs weaknesses question. Just about everyone can find strengths, but what about weaknesses? How does one go about explaining that in an interview?

I mean, I’ve got a weakness for too much airplane coffee,lol, but I’m sure that’s not what they are looking for. I don’t remember being asked that question in any of my previous job interviews.
 
Skyway said:
Thanks for these great responses! I also meant ask about the strength vs weaknesses question. Just about everyone can find strengths, but what about weaknesses? How does one go about explaining that in an interview?

I mean, I’ve got a weakness for too much airplane coffee,lol, but I’m sure that’s not what they are looking for. I don’t remember being asked that question in any of my previous job interviews.
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I think you're over thinking things and each interviewer is different. It's like women, if you're worried the girl won't like you, because you fumbled your words or were too nervous when you approached her, then I'd argue it wasn't meant to be anyway. Any other way you think about you'll drive yourself crazy. Stay positive you might already be there, but if not you will soon be.
 
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Derg said:
All you have to do is “know yourself” and give your >>>own<<< answer.

I know my truth is that I’m basically going to be the same guy in ten years that’s sitting in the interview room today.

I can’t tell you how many guys are all roses, sunshine and “Yessir/No Sir” that a few scant months after probation is up, are negative, bitchy and entitled. Don’t be that guy.
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Like Denzel says in Training Day to the 3 wise men:

"Give 'em credit though, he played the game, deserves his freedom......."


Yeah?



"Or not....."
 
Guaranteed answer to get hired.

"Why should we hire you?"


"Well, I know you hire future Captains. So as a current FO, I promise to piss and annoy the hell out of my CAs just enough to avoid a Professional Standards call. I'm better then him but I won't have to tell him that. By the end of the trip, he will know. After probation then I can really let my true colors shine and talk every flight on my 2 favorite topics: religion and politics. Once I upgrade (again because I know you hire future CAs), I promise to micromanage and annoy the hell out of my FOs. Of course I will brief them that I am standard, by the book, and very laid back. And when they least expect it, I am already there on that level. On the customer service aspect, I hope to represent your company in a future viral video on youtube. I'll strive to meet the occasion with the same fan fare as Dr. Dao's incident, and use full CRM - Cop Resource Management. So that's basically my answer. Thank you so much for seeing me today. Wait one week, and don't call me to offer the job. I will call you to let you know if I still want the job."
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
Guaranteed answer to get hired.

"Why should we hire you?"


"Well, I know you hire future Captains. So as a current FO, I promise to piss and annoy the hell out of my CAs just enough to avoid a Professional Standards call. I'm better then him but I won't have to tell him that. By the end of the trip, he will know. After probation then I can really let my true colors shine and talk every flight on my 2 favorite topics: religion and politics. Once I upgrade (again because I know you hire future CAs), I promise to micromanage and annoy the hell out of my FOs. Of course I will brief them that I am standard, by the book, and very laid back. And when they least expect it, I am already there on that level. On the customer service aspect, I hope to represent your company in a future viral video on youtube. I'll strive to meet the occasion with the same fan fare as Dr. Dao's incident, and use full CRM - Cop Resource Management. So that's basically my answer. Thank you so much for seeing me today. Wait one week, and don't call me to offer the job. I will call you to let you know if I still want the job."
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That personality type sounds incredibly insecure. Snarky, passive-aggressive humor works well with that type.

"Geez Dave you I worked with real f-ing psychopaths in the State Hospital for eight years. Right? Sorry, but you're gonna have to level up big time to be able to measure up to the real thing.

Then turn away and give them no attention. They'll probably stroke out when you're not scared and they don't get the reaction that they wanted to help abate their cratering insecurity and towering control issues.
 
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Skyway said:
Thanks for these great responses! I also meant ask about the strength vs weaknesses question. Just about everyone can find strengths, but what about weaknesses? How does one go about explaining that in an interview?

I mean, I’ve got a weakness for too much airplane coffee,lol, but I’m sure that’s not what they are looking for. I don’t remember being asked that question in any of my previous job interviews.
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Knowing your weaknesses shows your ability to be selfaware, self-critique, and turn a negative into a positive. Think about maybe a slightly negative personality trait that you have, and how you have been able to overcome that trait and turn it into a positive of how you’ve overcome it to get to where you are today professionally. This will be different for every person so again I can’t really give you a specific example. The answer has to be YOU.
 
srn121 said:
6000 hours is a lot as is 1000 PIC turbine. Don't sell yourself short with that kind of experience or beat yourself up too much if they don't choose you as you'll be at that level soon enough. Interviewing is always very tricky as you don't know who else has interviewed, what personal biases the interviewer has and how they'll interpret your behavior so the most important thing isn't to get too nervous or take it personally if they don't choose you yet. I'm not the most knowledgeable guy on the subject as I've never worked for the legacies, but I wish you luck and continued success in your career.
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No, 6000hrs is not "a lot."
 
ppragman said:
No, 6000hrs is not "a lot."
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I have a lot of friends who went to some much better gigs than the regionals with much less time and the pilot market seems to improve by the day, but if you want to argue and talk about how great you are be my guest.
 
srn121 said:
I have a lot of friends who went to some much better gigs than the regionals with much less time and the pilot market seems to improve by the day, but if you want to argue and talk about how great you are be my guest.
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I'm only around 6500hrs or so last I totalled things up, so it ain't like I have a lot either. I'm no longer "low time" but I definitely don't have "a lot" of flight time.

Just because the market and the hiring algorithms supports guys going to better jobs than RJ land doesn't mean that those guys are "high time" at 6000hrs. Meanwhile my direct boss has over 10,000hrs and some of the guys who work for me are in the 20,000+ range. Those guys have a lot of experience and are decidedly "high time."

You can argue all you want about it, but realistically at 80 hours per month that's 6 years experience, really only like 4.5 after getting your ATP.

If you were an engineer in my state with a BS in engineering you would just be eligible to become a licensed engineer after that much time. Not saying the careers are equivalent, but 4.5 to 6 years experience is not "a lot." Depending on the experience it isn't anything to scoff at but it's certainly not "a lot."
 
Maximillian_Jenius said:
That personality type sounds incredibly insecure. Snarky, passive-aggressive humor works well with that type.

"Geez Dave you I worked with real f-ing psychopaths in the State Hospital for eight years. Right? Sorry, but you're gonna have to level up big time to be able to measure up to the real thing.

Then turn away and give them no attention. They'll probably stroke out when you're not scared and they don't get the reaction that they wanted to help abate their cratering insecurity and towering control issues.
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There are plenty of highly functioning sociopaths out in the world already. Don't encourage him.

"Why should you hire me?"

"Me and the Lord. We have an understanding"
 
You could also pull a Ed Helms and turn it around on them.

Why should we hire you?


“Pretend you’re me and I’m you. Why should me you hire you me?”

:biggrin:
 
ppragman said:
I'm only around 6500hrs or so last I totalled things up, so it ain't like I have a lot either. I'm no longer "low time" but I definitely don't have "a lot" of flight time.

Just because the market and the hiring algorithms supports guys going to better jobs than RJ land doesn't mean that those guys are "high time" at 6000hrs. Meanwhile my direct boss has over 10,000hrs and some of the guys who work for me are in the 20,000+ range. Those guys have a lot of experience and are decidedly "high time."

You can argue all you want about it, but realistically at 80 hours per month that's 6 years experience, really only like 4.5 after getting your ATP.

If you were an engineer in my state with a BS in engineering you would just be eligible to become a licensed engineer after that much time. Not saying the careers are equivalent, but 4.5 to 6 years experience is not "a lot." Depending on the experience it isn't anything to scoff at but it's certainly not "a lot."
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Where I come from, 6000 hours is 20 years experience. 6000 hour pilots are the old wizened Yodas. Heck, they give you a badge at 2000 hours and 15 years that declares you a “Master Aviator.”

Experience is relative and it ain’t always about the hours.
 
MikeFavinger said:
Where I come from, 6000 hours is 20 years experience. 6000 hour pilots are the old wizened Yodas. Heck, they give you a badge at 2000 hours and 15 years that declares you a “Master Aviator.”

Experience is relative and it ain’t always about the hours.
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I’m fairly certain that Pat has a good idea of hours vs. experience. Just sayin.
 
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