PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Going North in 2021 for GA jobs? Is it worth it?
Old 15th Mar 2021, 01:22
  #20 (permalink)  
Ixixly
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Brisbane, Qld
Posts: 1,371
Received 29 Likes on 15 Posts
You've entered what was already a tough industry for newbies getting a first gig at a time that has made it even more difficult, I'm sure you're well aware of this but it's worth starting off with that statement.

As others mentioned, your chances of getting a call or email back are practically 0, I've been a CP as a lot of others have on these forums and as someone else correctly mentioned if I'd spent 5-10mins getting back to every single resume that came through it'd be an entire day out of my week each week which is not feasible, to put it into perspective think of how many are in your cohort that graduated with you, they're all applying to the same places so that's 100-200 of them out there also wanting responses and that's JUST from your Uni, Internationals are also sending a lot of resumes too.

Now in regards to being blacklisted, don't worry about that, if you're knocking on a CPs door every single morning when they walk in you're likely to annoy them but if you're popping in once a week to just drop off a resume with the receptionist and check-in with how things are going you're going to be fine and it's expected, the best way of doing this though is to become friends with them. Even if a job wasn't involved you're in a new town so you'll want to make friends anyway! When you go in and have a chat for the first time, ask them about the area, places they recommend because these are the places they'll be, now you have some new local places to spend your time and an in to make new friends as well.

Be prepared to wait, never make a plan that assumes you'll be employed in aviation in X months, assume you're moving up there long term, not as a Pilot, and set yourself up accordingly, this way you'll be set with money/accommodation and don't need that hanging over your head.

You mentioned in another thread about a JOC and Interview Prep Courses, these are a total waste of money and whoever in your Uni is suggesting these to you deserves a proper flogging. As others have mentioned you need practical skills to get a job now, get to Darwin and arrange for a Forklift Licence, LR (Light Rigid) Licence and an H Endorsement (https://nt.gov.au/driving/industry/d...senger-vehicle), the Light Rigid allows you to drive their minibuses, the H endorsement is to do so with passengers and there's a few that use Forklifts, these three will show them that you've actually researched what is required up in the NT. If you don't already have it make sure you can drive a Manual as well. Some other helpful courses will be things like a First Aid Course which is practical for life in general, if you get a job at a Hotel/Tour Company ask about what tours you can jump on for free as this will gain knowledge of the area which is fun and practical.

If you're based in Darwin, be prepared to make the trek to Jabiru/Katherine once a month as well but give them a call every week or two in between, once again, make friends though and they'll let YOU know when the jobs come up and they'll want to put your name forward to the boss as they'd rather be working with someone they like.

If you're wondering if you should go there, I'd say GO THERE, unless you've got an Instructor Rating that you're really wanting to use at a flight school in Melbourne (Which isn't the worst idea either tbh) then there is no point in staying in Melbourne hoping to apply, I honestly can't think of anyone off the top of my head in GA for a first job that was hired based on applying to a job ad from another city. If you're thinking of flying but own a Car then don't fly, just drive up there, I've personally done the trip from Brisbane to Darwin and in reverse a few times and don't regret it and there's only about 400km difference from Melbourne to Darwin, you'll also find some smaller operators along the way so plan your route accordingly and be prepared to change all your plans if something comes up that seems promising. You really will want to have a reliable vehicle up there or a semi-reliable one you're happy looking back on with fond/angry memories sometime in the future.

Lasty, enjoy the journey, some of the worst Pilots I've ever had the displeasure to fly or work with are the ones that view GA as some kind of punishment they need to overcome to be allowed into a shiny jet somewhere. GA is an adventure, take the work seriously so you get the most out of it and enjoy all the other parts around it, it'll be demoralising from time to time but with the right attitude to the journey you'll be able to overcome that and push forward.
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