Dear 180,
Whatever you do, do not listen to Spoonbills poor advice. There is a better way.
Have you ever thought about how lawyers, accountants IT specialists and other professionals search for the right job. They do not send letters to every firm (or airport/SATCO) as that sends out the wrong message to the employer. It tells them that you are desperate and that if they ever employ you, you will probably have no loyalty to them. In our market place employers cannot afford to train an ATCA or a newly qualified ATCO only to see the newly qualified ATCO migrate to their desired location. It also says that you have little initiative, that you have not researched your market and not matched your skills or culture with the airport.
Please consider applying original thought to getting a job. Research the market thoroughly before you merely send a ‘letter to every airport’. Telephone the ATSU and get information on the airport situation. Speak to the SATCO, at least find out the SATCOs name so that if you do write, it is a personal letter. Never send a photocopied letter or CV. It is not surprising that most letters are ignored as it is very rude and presumptuous to send a blind letter.
Consider using an ATC employment agency such as Safeskys. (www. Safeskys.co.uk). You can telephone (01494 451660) and after a counselling interview (over the phone) they will give you free advice on which airports would suit you, how to plan your CV, and what not to do. Safeskys has spent a long time networking in the profession and knows many of the SATCOs and employers within the ATC Industry. Safeskys' skill is matching the right person for the vacancy and they are trusted by employers to place the right person at the right time in their career in the right post. It is a much more professional way for an ATCO to find the right job and it is more confidential that sending a letter to every airport. Safeskys also employ ATCOs and ATCAs and is bidding to take over the complete ATC at five UK Regional Airports. They will employ local ATCOs and in association with Shearwater Training Ltd will train them as APC/APR ATCOs, so there might be an opportunity there.
I hope that this has been helpful.
Finally, don’t give up. If you keep trying you will get there. Good luck in your quest.