Employers - What do you look for in an would be apprentice?

[whissper]

Hello

What traits do you look for an a would be apprentice and how are these shown to you BEFORE they get the job?

Thing like honesty, punctuality, reliability, hard-worker, willingness to learn, merticulous, etc.

What separates out candidate from each another when there many applicants for the one role

What sort of things (e.g. spelling, negativity) help an applicant eliminate themselves from getting a job?

Why is it that the less able and interested are getting jobs ahead of those who do?

Cheers

[Tempsford]

Those that want to learn, are interested in the job, prepared to get stuck in -no matter what the job is, where it is or what time it is. To be a team player, have pride in what they do and how they do it. To have a sense of humour, but yet understand that what we do is important, has rules and lines that are not to be crossed. To realise that what they do is part of a bigger picture where many other people contribute to making aircraft fly safely.To go that extra mile and to understand the need to walk before they can run. To realise that aviation is more than just a job.

A lot of Engineers' printing, spelling and grammar is perhaps not as good as it could be, but I have seen some doctors writing and that wasn't that good either.

As regards those that slip through the net and are shown not to be up to the mark, that will always happen, but in most cases they do get weeded out. In such cases I always feel sorry for those who were not prepared well enough at interview level, but given the chance would have come through eventually.

The ones that do get through and are not the slightest bit interested in applying themsleves to take advantage of the opportunity provided are those that workmates struggle with the most.

Temps

[flame_bringer]

Superb topic I like it.
Waiting for other replies from employers :ok:

[Storminnorm]

I often wonder how the RAF chose the apprentices they had.
There were some really wierd people at the various places
they trained at.

[Hasherucf]

Some things I like would in any apprentice.
- The ability problem solve
- Ability to self study and be motivated to towards study
- MOST IMPORTANT - Put their hand up and admit a mistake
- Sense of humour
- Non smoker (time wasters) and leave the mobile phones in their locker.

[Tempsford]

Good stuff indeed! I like the self motivation, admitting mistakes and ability to problem solve... vital in our industry.

[Saintsman]

One of the first things that I look for is an interest in the subject. I don't expect them to know everything, but a bit more than just the basics. If they are interested, then I've found that they will do well in their training and their exams. You will never have much luck with people who do things because they have to. You need people who do things because they want to.

As for kids straight from school, I always want to know what other activities they do. Anyone who belongs to a youth organisation like the Air / Army cadets, scouts etc would always get a second look because they have the get up and go that most kids don't have, plus they are used to taking orders and have some discipline in their lives. Also, believe it or not, anyone who has worked at MacDonalds etc would also get a second look because they are used to working hard and again, will be used to taking orders (and I don't mean from customers...).

I also want to ensure that they will last to the end of the course. What are their long term plans? If you can find people who have an idea what they want to do they are more likely to survive. I know that Kids don't always know but places are valuable, so you can afford to be picky and take the best of what's on offer.

[whissper]

All well and good.

How then do you see that on a piece of paper (covering letter and resume) in deciding who to interview? Can you determine attitude and values from an covering letter and resume?

I am biased here as after a dozen failed applications I cannot make an interview. I have watched substantially lesser people not only get an interview but then a job.

I've done all the exams and more (mechanical and avionics) and passed very well but beyond that I do not make the cut for the interview pile. My training organisation has been unhelpful in telling me what I need to do differently. I fail to see how showing up, doing and understanding the work, getting on with most people, a great student profile (of which I have seen) does not translate into more openings.

It does not help that industry is now telling me I have done the "wrong" set of exams (and that my training organisation did not at the outset say that this course really only suits major airlines and bigger operators). I may do the other exams but the time and cost are barriers I really don't to have to climb again right now.

This is proving depressing, frustrating and I'm angry at a system where the best, most interested and keenest cannot get start. I've reached a point where I wonder what is wrong with me and whether this is the right industry for me.

Cheers

[LowTime]

Whissper, you are at the cross roads here. Getting a job comes down to stubbiness, perseverance and willingness to never give up.

I know, coz it took me 7 years to get my 1st job. There were times when I thought I should just chuck it in and get on with life but I couldn't do it.

Glad I stuck with it as I am having a ball and don't miss my old job one bit.

Balls are in your court mate. :ok:

[Saintsman]

You need to look again at your CV if you are not getting interviews. Sometimes a generic CV is no good and it needs to be tailored for a specific job.

Quite often you get CVs that have nothing in common with the job being advertised. In the past I have dismissed a good half of the applications on the first pass because they did not meet the criteria. Make sure you answer the exam question if you want to be considered.

[flame_bringer]

Have you tried applying abroad? I'm pretty sure there are many airlines looking for apprentices outside of your country, Do not restrict yourself to aurstralia this industry is about moving and you must prioritize your job over your life atleast in the outset untill you become more employable and have the required amount of exp then only you can be picky at working locations.
Thats just my persepctive but do as you see fit.

[Karl Bamforth]

First thing I do is look at the CV. If it has been done on a computer but has numerous spelling mistakes (which many do) its obvious they didn't have the intelligence or maybe just couldn't be bothered to spell check or proof read. CV's like that go in the skip.

At the interview, how they are dressed etc. I once had 2 applicants turn up, one in a smart shirt, trousers and tie the other in jeans and tee shirt stinking as though he had just been cleaning out the stable, he even laughed at the other guy for wearing a tie. No need to tell you who got the post.

I find that during the interview it is easy to see who is enthusiastic about the job, a quick check of hobbies will tell you if he has engineering in his blood and a few questions will tell you if he knows anything about how an aircraft works. If you try and bluff/bull**** your way in it will become obvious very quickly, if not at the interview then soon after.

[Hasherucf]

Stop sending and start calling . Even better knock on doors . Pilots do it in the search of their first job . There is jobs out there , try getting a start as an AME