Krautwald
18th Feb 2013, 16:22
I guess I might just as well get to the point first thing: my CV is :mad:. Well, not all for that matter. For the last 7 years itīs actually ok with a decent job and all.
However, there where 5 years before that and they keep haunting me through every application process. Not to bore you with anything here, but itīs got to do with a pretty screwed family background, being a disoriented and depressed kid with low self esteem and all that. Not something one likes to talk about, but is forced to during interviews.
Itīs FIVE years where all I can list is one college semester (dropped out) and a few odd jobs, all of which are probably not even verifiable because some of them where unofficial, and for the rest people there wonīt even remember me. If the place still exists at all, that is. I was even without an address for some of that time, crashing on peoples couch, and mostly unemployed, but not officially. You could say I was invisible.
As most people here, I am about to do something about that flying thing. I hold a PPL, doing IR right now and I would like to get on, but I seriously, seriously worry about my background. Aviation is competitive as hell, and those five years make me look nothing like the energetic, enthusiastic type. In fact, I have a serious history of quitting, donīt I? I am pretty sure that many employers, or at least the prestigious ones, are off limits to me already.
I have no intentions of lying or faking, but I do have deleveloped some application survival skills, just telling enough and not more than necessary, something which prob wonīt work with aviation psychologists. Anyhow, letīs get to the real question: I need to know how much and how far back they will dig in various stages of a flying career?
1. Student in US flight schools: Visa-wise (prob J1), is it a problem?
2. Same, Europe flight schools?
3. Applying in US (instructing, lowtimer job)
4. Applying in Europe
5. Other parts of the world
6. Different for helicopters / company jets and other specialized branches?
What I am trying to understand is this: Will they go really deep into my circumstances or would it be more of a check of criminal records, driving record, and such? I am 100% clean in this regard. I guess there are two types of checks, one to verify my experience and see whether I am the right type for the job/company, the other being a mere security clearance, right? Any branches/countries that do so extensive clearances that those 5 years will look suspicious? I guess that clearance to jump about SAR or Oil firm bases will be stricter than clearance to fly a King Air regionally, you get the picture.
You may also tell me to stop being weird and worry so much. Will it be all good and no worries, as soon as I hit the 10-year mark with a perfectly normal decade behind me? ;)
No seriously, what do people like me do? Apart from not becoming pilots at all, which is true statistically...
However, there where 5 years before that and they keep haunting me through every application process. Not to bore you with anything here, but itīs got to do with a pretty screwed family background, being a disoriented and depressed kid with low self esteem and all that. Not something one likes to talk about, but is forced to during interviews.
Itīs FIVE years where all I can list is one college semester (dropped out) and a few odd jobs, all of which are probably not even verifiable because some of them where unofficial, and for the rest people there wonīt even remember me. If the place still exists at all, that is. I was even without an address for some of that time, crashing on peoples couch, and mostly unemployed, but not officially. You could say I was invisible.
As most people here, I am about to do something about that flying thing. I hold a PPL, doing IR right now and I would like to get on, but I seriously, seriously worry about my background. Aviation is competitive as hell, and those five years make me look nothing like the energetic, enthusiastic type. In fact, I have a serious history of quitting, donīt I? I am pretty sure that many employers, or at least the prestigious ones, are off limits to me already.
I have no intentions of lying or faking, but I do have deleveloped some application survival skills, just telling enough and not more than necessary, something which prob wonīt work with aviation psychologists. Anyhow, letīs get to the real question: I need to know how much and how far back they will dig in various stages of a flying career?
1. Student in US flight schools: Visa-wise (prob J1), is it a problem?
2. Same, Europe flight schools?
3. Applying in US (instructing, lowtimer job)
4. Applying in Europe
5. Other parts of the world
6. Different for helicopters / company jets and other specialized branches?
What I am trying to understand is this: Will they go really deep into my circumstances or would it be more of a check of criminal records, driving record, and such? I am 100% clean in this regard. I guess there are two types of checks, one to verify my experience and see whether I am the right type for the job/company, the other being a mere security clearance, right? Any branches/countries that do so extensive clearances that those 5 years will look suspicious? I guess that clearance to jump about SAR or Oil firm bases will be stricter than clearance to fly a King Air regionally, you get the picture.
You may also tell me to stop being weird and worry so much. Will it be all good and no worries, as soon as I hit the 10-year mark with a perfectly normal decade behind me? ;)
No seriously, what do people like me do? Apart from not becoming pilots at all, which is true statistically...