Well, on my part thanks for the responses. Pete came across as a clued-up and genuine chap when I spoke to him on the phone so I'm going to go ahead with his course! Interestingly I'd I'd spoken to a chap who has since gained employment after attending Petes course - again, he speaks volumes for it too. Decision made!! thanks all!

df1

Um, is their a bit of Spin and Propaganda here by any chance?

Penny Austin designed the pilot interview course which Pete went on.

Pete gets seven recommendations here but none for Penny . . .

Um, is there a bit of suspicion here by chance?!

I'm sure Penny's course is helpful too (I've seen lots of posts recommending it before) and I'd like to know what she does compared to PP - would be interesting information.

However, the original question related to PP's course, which is why everyone talked about that. No spin or propaganda promise.

As a rule I do not post on threads that mention my course for obvious reasons, but I think perhaps that a little clarity may be needed here on this thread.

Penny is someone whom I personally hold in the highest esteem having known her for several years (including before her course whilst training together at OATS) and indeed having experienced her interview training. I also have experience of what is on offer from AOT and Oxford in this field.

Could I point out here that my course is NOT a carbon copy of Penny's course; it is completely different, as it is to the AOT and Oxford courses, indeed I teach some things which are opposite to both AOT and Oxford, especially in regard to CVs.

If Penny has not changed what she does since I experienced it, then it is purely interview technique. As far as I am aware she will only accept a client who has an interview date lined up with an airline/ sponsorship selection. She then takes the individual through her interview technique and does an extremely good job of preparing them for the interview.

What my course offers is very different. My course takes individuals through the whole airline selection process; I have named it the 'Airline Selection Preparation Course' to clarify this. The course is open to all who want an insight into the whole process, not just the interview. I saw a gap in the market for this kind of training and designed my course to fill it. Why? Because to get an interview with many airlines you need to have jumped through several hoops already, including filling out an application form/ sending a CV, sitting psychometric tests (including verbal, numerical, diagrammatical and spatial reasoning and a personality profile). If you are not successful at these then you don't even get to the interview stage. There are many pilots out there with no commercial experience and those who are trying to 'step up' to a better job who have little or no experience of these in-depth selection procedures. Many have little idea of how to construct a half-decent aviation CV.

My course looks at how to be successful from first contact with an airline (through the CVand cover letter) all the way through the above mentioned tests and interview. I do not do in-depth one-on-one interview technique, rather I teach a framework for the individual to build on themselves, with ongoing support available after the course to answer any issues and questions that arise during this process of 'self preparation'. I also review CVs and cover letters before the course for presentation on the day and provide a feedback service after the course with background knowledge on individual airlines' selection processes.

So I hope this goes some way to explain the differences between what I offer and what Penny offers. They are different services and each will be suited to different individuals.

I will now retire and leave past clients to post their thoughts on the merits or otherwise of the course, as the initial poster requested.

PP

Well having been on Pete's course I can truly say it was money well spent. You'd be a fool not to consider it IMO! Definitely recommend it!! :ok:

I attended Petes course early this year. I thought I was reasonably clued up already, but I would have almost certainly not got a job without it. Using the techniques taught on Petes Course I have since attended 2 airline selection procedures and been offered 2 jobs; one of which is with Britannia. Thats a 100% strike rate and thats worth £145 of anyones money. Keep up the good work Pete and good luck to all who have the good sense to attend his course.

Why would somebody spend £30,000+ on gaining a Commercial licence and then not spend a minute extra cost to improve their chances of getting an interview and passing it.

It's like spending £10,000 on your daughters wedding and getting the cheapest DJ you can find for the night function.

Your guest will remember the crap DJ at the end of the day..

what to wear for an interview
 

just asking for a quick heads up

what is best to wear to an interview


Pilot shirt, tie etc..

or

smart suit and tie


thanks

Smart siut and tie, no doubts

Sorry, that shuld have been \'suit\'.

Don't wear anything related to a pilot's uniform; that would be very tacky! Pilot's uniforms are for wearing on duty only - and then by employed pilots, not by wannabes! It would be a bit like turning up for a trial at Old Trafford wearing your Man U kit - a bit presumptuous. Or, even worse, turning up at Old Trafford wearing City kit...!

This subject has been covered many times in the past, though I find it difficult to understand why it is open to question. For all interviews, unless instructed otherwise, you should wear a sober suit, a clean, light coloured shirt, and a tie. If the Simpsons are that important to you that the only tie you possess is covered in them, then wear that one - if you can't get to a tie shop first!

Remember, you are attempting to join a conservative, safety-conscious occupation. If you want to impress, don't take risks.

Scroggs

scroggs et all

thanks, i always wanted to wear a nice clean fresh smart suit.. a couple of CFIs friends said wear your flying gumpf.. i did think a little presumptuous...but i am still a wannabe so listen to all advice but i do have a rather nice pair of concorde cuff-links to wear !!


Thanks

Naff sights I've seen and wouldn't recommend-

shiny purple shirt and white tie

tie covered in aviation tie-pins

"PPL" wings on lapel

flying jacket covered in cloth badges/wings/logos, big pilot case

I suppose it also depends on what kind of outfit you are being interviewed by. An airline will probably expect the more conservative approach (even the likes of easy with their 'informal' culture still have flight crews in shirts and ties not t-shirts and jeans), but some non-airline GA outfits or flying schools may be more amenable to a smart casual approach.

I'm a traditional old fart and haven't the guts to go without my best suit and tie.

Head up, Shiny shoes, smart suit, club tie.


All i need now is an interview:\

Is Mike keeping his interview a secret?

How about your birthday suit?:D

Speak to you soon mate.

Smart dark blue or black suit..not too trendy, matching belt and shoes (polish the buckle and the shoes)
New white shirt with plain collar, a plain tie that matches the suit colouring in some way, maybe the lining colour.
Tie a half windsor knot in the tie and have the end of it it 2-3" below your waistband
No cufflinks or tie pins.
No rings other than wedding ring if you have one (on your finger not your ear or nose.:ok:

Nothing in the jacket pockets

Don't unbutton your jacket until you have sat for a few minutes.

And you wonder why they're still CFI's? :rolleyes:

Maybe they just want to raise their chance if you turn up at the same interview? :ooh:

This is getting a bit too anal! Look, it's not a fashion show, nor are you being assessed as the company's next advertising hoarding. Few pilots are great dressers - one of the main reasons we have uniforms. If you want to spend loads of time on your appearance, great, but perhaps you'd be better off joining one of the ceremonial formations of HM services!

A clean suit, light shirt, a tie, clean shoes. Don't forget to wear socks. Shave and comb your hair. Don't get too bothered whether your tie matches your suit lining (Jeez!), and if you've got favourite cufflinks or feel a tiepin is really you, then wear them. No-one's going to mark you down for it.

All you need is to look moderately smart and formal, while remaining relaxed and comfortable. Don't go overboard, but don't look scruffy. Leave the clothes fetishists to get all hot and bothered about whether things match or not; your interviewer certainly won't!

Scroggs

... Ahhhh ... finally a post showing some common sense, the profession isnt a stuck up one ... and certainly no interviewer is going to be measuring how much below your waistline your tie hangs :)

You are going to represent the company to the public, if you can't be bothered to be presentable to a high standard you don't deserve the job. And yes interviewers do notice the difference, that is why they have that job and you don't.
You lot live in cloud cuckoo land if you think they don't.

If someone comes for an interview for a job as a PROFESSIONAL, (yes PROFESSIONAL for all you wasters) pilot in a Simpsons tie they won't get the job.
You need to show that you take the job seriously, everyone and their uncle has a fATPL and 300hrs in a Cessna 150.
You get the job by standing out from the crowd not looking like you work in MFI.

got a job have you Scroggs?