They fly you into ATL the night before. I stayed at the Drury (Shuttle runs every 30 min, but it is also within walking distance to the ExpressJet Facility). I ate dinner across the parking lot at some bar/grill, which was decent. Drury breakfast @ 0700, shuttle at 0730, interview started right at 0800. This gave everyone about 20-30 minutes to chat and get to know the other applicants in the lobby. You will be spending 7+ hours there, and they need to to hire a lot of people (you're not competing between each other - they want to hire all of you), so it's nice to relax and make some new friends.
We started off with an introduction in the testing room. There were 8 computer stations and all 8 filled with applicants. You will take all of your tests on that computer, as well as complete your written HR questions and essay topic. Bring your documents and a pen, and they will tell you were to put your luggage. We learned about the history of ExpressJet, the plans for the future, how hiring/training works, and then we got to ask any questions we had.
The first test was the Cognitive test. I downloaded and used Lumosity for about a week. I don't think it hurt, but I honestly don't think it was a contributing factor to passing. It's a few hours long and all on the touchscreen/stylus/keyboard at your computer station. You start off with mental math, they ask you to fairly simple scenarios and everyone including myself seemed overwhelmed. After that it was pretty straightforward. Be quick and accurate and each game lets you practice, so take advantage of free practice until you get the hang of it. You will be playing games that literally give you a headache when your done.
Next is a little coffee/bathroom break before the "Personality" test (psychology/crazy test). 240 questions in an hour, choices are strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, or strongly agree. You can't study for this, nor do you need to (or you probably are crazy). They say statements like "I like poetry" or "sometime's I get depressed". Don't overthink it but they will ask you similar questions that are reworded to try and see if you changed your answer, so don't lie... Be yourself.
Another short break and you take your Knowledge test. 60 question Delta test (from their own question bank that is not like the ATP questions). The good news is you only need a 55% to pass (I think?) and as intimidating as it feels when you take it, you're probably doing better than you think (at least I did). I studied the SheppardAir Delta Knowledge Test Feedback ( http://www.sheppardair.com/download/DeltaInterviewFeedback.pdf ) and noticed maybe 5 questions were the same on my actual test. From speaking to the other applicants, many people had different tests, so it's a crapshoot. If you study and understand the reason behind the answers, many of the questions I had were of the same subject material but completely different questions. HR will give you an "ExpressJet Airline Pilot Job Knowledge Test Outline" via email, when you get accepted for the interview. Study this in detail and look up anything you don't know (inside and out). If you have no clue on an answer, use process of elimination to remove at least two of the definitely wrong answers and you're down to a 50/50 shot. Just remember, you have 60 minutes for 60 questions, so make an educated guess and come back after you've completed the rest of the test, if you need more time to think about it.
30 minute lunch break, which is in the cafeteria on the first floor. They had a really massive sized meal for $5 (cash only). You have more work to do, so don't eat too much and get sleepy.
The HR written questions were pretty simple and straightforward. They will look it over during your face-to-face and have you elaborate on some of the questions, probably to make sure you're not changing answers or blowing smoke, but just answer honestly.
The written essay was only a paragraph. They just want to make sure you can form sentences, have a coherent thought process, and get your point accross. It probably doesn't hurt to be correct in your subject matter, though. I received "Describe the different types of VORs", but someone else had "Describe Coffin Corner". They could technically be a different question for every person, but I spoke to 2 other people that had the same question as me.
The face-to-face is just one person, which was a chief pilot for me but due to time constraints and the amount of people interviewing there were about 4 different people performing the interviews. It was very laid back, yet professional. He made me feel at ease, and already had the results of my tests on a paper in front of him (I actually asked him how I did, and he let me see the paper with the scores). He told me he doesn't make the final hiring decisions but if I answered his questions adequately he would recommend me to the board (they meet every Friday to review applicant results and make their hiring decisions). He also said it's up to me, he isn't trying to trick me and wanted me to get hired so "don't answer anything more than he asks". He asked HR questions very similar to the ones on this gouge. What would you do if... Your captain smelled like alcohol? (don't let him near the plane, confront him and make him call-in or else you will) Your captain wanted to go below minimums? (key the mic - "Acey ___ Going Missed!" - then he has to go missed) What makes a good boss/superior/leader? Why do you like aviation? Why XJT? Are you a team player? Etc... Technical questions were straightforward and minimal (don't elaborate). When do you need an alternate? (1-2-3 rule) Where is the touchdown zone? (threshold + 3000ft), what airplane have you flown the most recently? Describe the fuel and hydraulic system of that aircraft.
He shook my hand and said he would recommend me to the board, then went over my logbooks in more detail.
They sent everyone over to their HR office building for fingerprinting and final paperwork then we got on a shuttle to the drug testing clinic. The clinic shuttle will drop you back at the terminal (for a flight) or your hotel/car.
I got a call the following day with a job offer. |
