As you go through the application and interview process, you will discover a number of well-meaning souls who will give you all kinds of “sure-fire” advice on what to do for your interview.  Although I encourage my clients to debrief those individuals who have been through a specific airline process, it is important to remember that what works for one person will not necessarily net the same result for you.

In order to help pare down the overwhelming amounts of information that have to be digested when preparing for an interview, I have addressed some of the most common mistakes that applicants are known to make.  Sometimes knowing what doesn’t work will help to better understand what really does work at an airline interview.

Top 10 Most Common Pilot Interview Mistakes

1. The use of actual names: Don’t use real names when telling a story. It’s a small world and perhaps an individual in one of your stories is interviewing with the same company and interviewer the following week. Not only is this considered in poor taste but it could potentially get someone in trouble.  Additionally, how would you like it if a co-worker went to an interview and gave examples of when you mishandled yourself?!
2. Not sharing your attention: If you are being interviewed by a panel, make sure you acknowledge all interviewers on an equal basis. Not only is it rude to focus on only the pilot but it does not say much for the applicant’s communication and team orientation skills.
3. Not listening: Too many pilots believe they know what the questions are going to be by just hearing the first few words of the sentence. Instead of listening to the whole question they begin to plan their answer and often respond incorrectly.
4. Being afraid of silence: Silence during an interview can cause almost physical pain to the applicant. Every second of silence can seem like an eternity. However, thoughtful, well-organized responses are appreciated by the interviewer.  Don’t be afraid to take a moment to prepare your response.
5. Not being professional: All the people you come in contact with are professionals within their field. Any hint of entitlement, sarcasm, rudeness, negativity, or frustration on your part will be noted.
6. Joking: As tempting as this is, it is never a good idea to try to tell a joke in an attempt to lighten the mood. Very few applicants can pull this off without looking offensive or flippant.
7. Arguing or justifying your choices or behaviors: If you have made a mistake, admit it! Show that you accept responsibility for your actions.  Don’t try to argue or justify your way out of it.
8. Smoking: If you don’t have an interview yet, consider this a great time to break this habit. If you do have an interview, do not smoke around your interview clothes or briefcase and refrain from smoking on the day of your interview.
9. Incorrect/Incomplete paperwork: Your paperwork is often the first impression interviewers will have of an applicant. Messy or incomplete paperwork says to the interviewer that you are not serious or don’t care.  Remember, this paperwork will follow you through the whole interview process.
10. Poor technical preparation: Don’t assume that just because you have thousands of hours of flight time, an excellent training and safety record, that you will not be asked to show your technical knowledge. Prepare for all possibilities.

Put yourself in the role of the interviewer. Think about whether your paperwork, logbooks, in addition to the way you conduct yourself during your interview, is in such a way that you would hire yourself.  It is important that you all that you can to ensure that you go into your interview as a professional who is prepared, relaxed, and confident.

By Cheryl Cage, Angie Marshall and DeeDee Onodera-Brown

For more information contact Cage Marshall Consulting at 720.222.1432, www.cageconsulting.com or email us info@cageconsulting.com

2013 Should prove to be an exciting year for pilot hiring.  As of this post Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, United and US Airways have all announced that they expect to hire by the end of the year.  The question is, are you prepared??

All of us have heard the expression “you only have one chance to make a first impression!”  This expression could not be more true than when you are applying for a new pilot position.  With many airlines you only have one opportunity to apply and interview.  It would be a shame to miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime because you did not put in the time and effort to prepare for your interview in advance!  Some may think “I will fill out the application now and begin my preparation once I get called for an interview.”  But is this the wise course?  What if your first phone call from the airline of your dreams includes questions as part of the interview?  What if you only have a matter of days to appear for your personal interview?  Pilots perform much better when not under a high task loading, high stress environment.  Why would you want to put yourself into a high stress environment when it comes to your big interview?  Don’t you think you would perform better and make a better first impression by being prepared ahead of time?

That is why we have developed a new Pilot Interview Webinar series to get you prepared now.  We encourage you to take advantage of the highly valuable information and suggestions that will be presented today!  Then you will be prepared for a stress free and exciting job interview that will be soon to follow.

Click here to register for our our webinar: BEFORE YOU APPLY: Do your homework!

While the aviation industry is still slow, there has been some subtle movement over the last few months. Several companies have been quietly recalling furloughed pilots, in fact, some have even started to do some hiring. Now is the time for you to start preparing your logbooks, your resume, and your game plan.

Logbooks must be up-to-date and neat.  Sloppy, disorganized, inaccurate logbooks will be the cause of a great deal of questioning and concern on the part of the interviewer.  Before you hand-out your resume at job fairs or submit an application please review the following:

1.  Audit your flight times BEFORE you do anything with your resume or application.   Applicants have been escorted out of an interview because their flight times did not match their application.

Continue reading The Logbook Checklist →