If you are a career commercial pilot who suddenly finds themselves back on the job market, it can be a dangerous assumption that your resume will speak for itself and you’ll be picked up quickly by another airline.
Pilot recruitment is very competitive, especially for the top U.S. commercial airlines. Experienced job seekers who go in unprepared may find themselves rejected in the first round of applications if they don’t have their details buttoned up and make themselves presentable.
Sometimes pilots only get one shot at an airline, when a hiring window opens, however briefly. And most of the time, it’s not the most experienced pilot who gets the job, but the pilot who presents themself in the best light. The one that leaves the recruitment team with no questions (or red flags) about their history, their flight logs, their references, and their fit with the new organization.
Here are a few areas to focus on when preparing to apply for a new commercial airline pilot position:
- Research the Airline You’re Applying To
Researching the airline before you apply will help tailor your answers on the application and interview to the type of pilot they are looking for. If you are able to demonstrate knowledge of the airline it will also show the interviewers that you are truly interested in the company itself and not just getting a job anywhere.
- Prepare Answers to Common Interview Questions
Have a 30-second “elevator pitch” about yourself to kick off an interview. If there are any gaps in your employment history, be prepared to explain them, as well as any incidents on your professional record. What’s your greatest strength as a pilot? Your biggest weakness? Another common interview style will ask you: “What would you do if…?” So be prepared to answer common scenarios involving conflicts with co-workers, stressful flight situations or drawing on your past experience. For interview preparation, I highly recommend the team at Raven Career Development.
- Prepare Questions for Your Interviewer
The interviewer will always offer you the chance to ask them questions, so be sure to have a couple insightful questions to ask based on your prior research (refer back to tip #1 above).
- Get Your Logbooks In Order
Ensure your logbooks are completely accounting for all your flight time, without any errors or missing data that could open the door to questions about its accuracy. Having a clean and accurate logbook where everything “adds up” shows you have attention to detail and take pride in your work.
If you have not converted your paper logbooks to digital, a job change can mark the perfect time to make this transition. Digital logbooks will be easier to maintain and update. However, it is still proper to have a clean, printed copy of your logbooks to present to the interview team for review. For printing logbooks as presentation files for interviews, we recommend the team at Prosoft Binders.
If you feel your logbooks are already in proper order, the best peace of mind can come from having a logbook audit. Professionals will review your logbooks and point out any discrepancies or line items needing comment so you can address them before submission.
If you’re eager to get a conditional job offer (CJO), enthusiasm is understandable. But it can pay off in the end to take more time up front to ensure you’re fully prepared. Remember, the most experienced pilot doesn’t always get the job, the most prepared pilot does.
About AcuLog:
Our team meticulously converts and audits handwritten flight logs, company flights logs, and more into electronic logbook programs.