Qantas Recruitment

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by VHFRT

They've certainly missed out on some really good people, and without sounding unpleasant, picked up a few who I'd have kept away from.

VHFRT,

That sentence could be engraved on a stone tablet and affixed to the front door of every airline HQ building.

It's hard to understand given HR's belief in the infallibility of their process but as true as the immutable laws of physics.

[Rated De]

It's hard to understand given HR's belief in the infallibility of their process but as true as the immutable laws of physics.

If you think conceptually about the role they 'fill', HR is really irrelevant.

They have invented a role, invented relevance and wedge themselves where ever they can; creating conflict where there is none, complexity where it isn't needed and inventing jargon to 'support the science of their endeavours'

There is little 'science' and less relevance...to them controlling a recruiting process ensures their own survival!

[gtseraf]

when a department has to label themselves "talent acquisition" then you know it's gone a long way in the wrong direction.

[layman]

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

Having been on the backend of a 'strange' recruitment decision or two myself, I won't pretend to be an unapologetic supporter of HR but ...

There are aspects of recruitment that are best handled by HR "experts" just as there as there are aspects best handled by subject-matter "experts".

No approach is perfect, and mistakes will be made, but I've noticed over many years professionally assessing people, the people who do miss out often (incorrectly) assign the "blame" to others when it really comes down to there being better people available.

regards
layman

[Unbroken]

Has anyone heard any rumors or have any idea of the following;

1) Is Qantas still working through initial applications and conducting interviews?

2) Have start dates been allocated for next year?

3) When would we be likely to see applications re-open for those of us that missed out on this first round?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[nexttime]

I've been humming and harring about expressing my feelings with Qantas recruitment and thought I would share my experience to get it off my chest.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to progress to the 2nd stage - interview, 1 on 1, group activity ect but was unsuccessful in getting through to the sim.

I am a bit deflated about it all and have such an overwhelming sense of failure knowing that I did my absolute best to prepare myself. I think the hardest thing for me is getting no feedback from the day, only to be asked to apply again in 12 months time. I really don't know what to do differently and unsure what it is that recruitment are looking for. I know other candidates were able to redo their talent q if that let them down, others had 1 on 1 psyc. assessment if they answered the 580 odd questions in a way that would cause a review.

So perhaps it leaves me to my level of education, not having a university degree, noncompetitive HSC & ATPL marks compared to the other applicants - who knows, it really could be anything. Maybe I didn't answer an interview question the way they wanted. I don't mean to sound overconfident but I felt the day went well.

I think the sense of failure is compounded by seeing the new 787 on tv and some people I know getting through with me knowing their history in aviation - I am unsure how their progression happened but it did (I hope that reads right, not a personal attack against anyone but I have to wonder)

But also in saying that I certainly take my hat off to those that progressed and are now seated on the flight deck of a Qantas jet. They are clearly capable of something that I am not.

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by nexttime

I've been humming and harring about expressing my feelings with Qantas recruitment and thought I would share my experience to get it off my chest.

I am a bit deflated about it all and have such an overwhelming sense of failure knowing that I did my absolute best to prepare myself.

But also in saying that I certainly take my hat off to those that progressed and are now seated on the flight deck of a Qantas jet. They are clearly capable of something that I am not.

nexttime,

Advice from strangers isn’t likely much consolation but I hate to see you being too hard on yourself. You played the opening period in a very tough game. It’s hard not to take it personally…cuz…it’s so freakin’ PERSONAL !!

Discouragement and frustration are understandable; it’s easy to let it rock one’s confidence.

Just getting an interview is a huge accomplishment so you must’ve shown them something they liked and considered to meet standards or you'd not have been invited in. Neither you nor those hired will know what they did right…or wrong…in producing the results. Most of us aren’t all that good at interviewing.

The process Down There and Up Here are likely very similar at the legacy level (and below). I’ve watched friends and acquaintances run this gauntlet for 4+ decades and seen airlines turn away some absolutely fantastic candidates. To this day, no one knows why. The airlines think they’ve got an infallible process bordering on clairvoyance. Umm, they don’t. They do an OK job of hiring good people but let a few real clinkers slip though.

An inside source up here told me of a guy hired by a place you’d kill to work for…on the THIRD interview. Mind boggling since the guy they hired on the third go is exactly the same guy they turned down the first time…and the second time. It’s foolish to believe otherwise. He merely learned how to spray better perfume on his dogs and ponies which speaks volumes about the game itself.

So, don’t let it get to you enough to erode your confidence. (Easy for others to say, I know.)

If they’ll let you interview again, do it…ten times if they’ll allow. If you can get some interview prep, do that too.

Hang in there and best wishes.

[SonofCoco]

Originally Posted by Unbroken

Has anyone heard any rumors or have any idea of the following;

1) Is Qantas still working through initial applications and conducting interviews?

2) Have start dates been allocated for next year?

3) When would we be likely to see applications re-open for those of us that missed out on this first round?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Be ready- reopening early next year, maybe even January! Good luck!

[normanton]

Originally Posted by nexttime

I think the sense of failure is compounded by seeing the new 787 on tv and some people I know getting through with me knowing their history in aviation - I am unsure how their progression happened but it did (I hope that reads right, not a personal attack against anyone but I have to wonder)

I completely understand where you are coming from. It's not a personal attack at all, its reality. I know people who got in early on who had a very suspect history, constantly failed recurrent sims, couldn't pass command upgrade sims etc.

Out of curiosity, did you do any interview preparation with flight deck consulting or pinstripes?

[nexttime]

Originally Posted by normanton

I completely understand where you are coming from. It's not a personal attack at all, its reality. I know people who got in early on who had a very suspect history, constantly failed recurrent sims, couldn't pass command upgrade sims etc.

Out of curiosity, did you do any interview preparation with flight deck consulting or pinstripes?

Yes, I did use one of those companies for my interview prep and found it an extremely helpful experience.

[Brakerider]

nexttime, turn your PMs on

[nexttime]

Originally Posted by Brakerider

nexttime, turn your PMs on

I think I have to wait until a reach 5 posts before it's activated. So when that happens I will turn it on and shoot one to you.

[Unbroken]

Originally Posted by SonofCoco

Be ready- reopening early next year, maybe even January! Good luck!

Thank you, appreciate the info.

[sandsthrudahrglass]

Totally agree with nexttime, my understanding was further testing if you were deficient in clinical assessment or talent q " revalidation ". Interviewers seemed positive about interview responses.

Cannot apply to Jetstar if unsuccessful with Qantas.

[Rated De]

Nexttime

"Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, ...Sir Winston Churchill

Cold consolation when you aimed for it. The reality is life never follows a Hollywood script (where adversity conquered, the bad guy dispatched and the girl got) all in 90 minutes plus trailers.

Life is seldom revealed to us looking forward, we see its lessons as we look back. As Thomas Eddison famously lamented;

'I haven't failed, I just found 10,000 ways that didn't work.'

You will work your way around it and when committed to a course usually providence will move with you! With more failures than I care to recall, my experience is that I have seen many educated, wealthy (usually chose their parents well) and seemingly talented people fail.

The defining characteristic isn't privilege or luck it is almost always persistence.

[nexttime]

Thanks for the wise words, it's greatly appreciated. I am starting to feel a bit better about the whole ordeal.

Qantas isn't the only option out there. I take comfort in the fact that by reading this thread, there appears to be some extremely talented pilots out there that have unfortunately missed out.

Unbroken (Louis Zamperini - great book!)

When I was interviewed they mentioned slots for A330 Sydney and 787 Perth, maybe Brisbane later in 2018. Unsure how quickly things change though.

[IsDon]

Originally Posted by nexttime

When I was interviewed they mentioned slots for A330 Sydney and 787 Perth, maybe Brisbane later in 2018. Unsure how quickly things change though.

Rapidly!

Networks are looking at a whole bunch of options from the East coast and Perth.

AJ stated that we’re not ordering more 787s until the initial tranche prove themselves. (Purely for market consumption) Read into that that next orders will be announced early in the new year after a couple of months of MEL-LAX.

BNE/MEL/PER bases already announced. Hopefully SYD next.

Recruiting will continue into the foreseeable future.

Keep your chin up. Put it down to experience and practice for your next attempt. See you here soon.

[eukeybound]

Originally Posted by nexttime

I've been humming and harring about expressing my feelings with Qantas recruitment and thought I would share my experience to get it off my chest.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to progress to the 2nd stage - interview, 1 on 1, group activity ect but was unsuccessful in getting through to the sim.

Echoing the comments above, don't beat yourself up about it. It's hard getting through the entire process and unless you get the dreaded "Don't apply again" email, it doesn't mean they don't want you or that you aren't good enough, it just means at the moment, your application overall isn't as competitive as some others.

They are putting people through the defer (12 month) process just to give them time to gain more experience, improve their skills, polish up etc. before coming back. I know a lot of people who have been deferred for various reasons including, lack of recent flying, poor IFR knowledge, an average of median results across the assessment to that point i.e. Psych testing etc.

I also know that many of them have given up the chase and are looking elsewhere, with a sour taste in their mouth. The best piece of advice I ever got given was you have to be extraordinarily determined to make it in this industry. The speedbumps and challenges never stop coming and you will fail more than once (or 10 times). You have to want it more than anything.

Also, send them an email and ask for feedback. The QLink roadshow indicated that they are more than happy to provide feedback if requested and if it's appropriate to do so i.e. they don't think you're a closet psychopath. Definitely ask the question!!

EDIT: And stay positive! There are enough whingers and piss poor attitudes on here to stop a fleet of A380's getting off the ground (not everyone obviously) so don't let them get to you. Keep the chin up and keep swinging!

[nexttime]

I'll send an email and see what happens. I am not counting on a reply as the unsuccessful one stated they were unable to provide specific feedback on my performance.

Do they really give that don't apply again email ?

[normanton]

nexttime - my personal opinion. I would not send an email asking for feedback when they clearly state in the correspondence that they cannot provide feedback. It shows a lack of willing to follow rules/instructions - usually considered a bad personality trait in the aviation industry!

The only people who have been given feedback to my knowledge are those internal applicants.

Again, just my opinion. I would hate to be ruled out for future consideration based off an email.