Interview stuff
 

Right ... lets have some opinions of the right way to handle those real pain-in-the-ass CRM scenario type questions. You know the kind of things ...

What would you do if

- Your captain goes below minima on an approach

- You turn up for duty and you suspect the captain's drunk

- You get down route and you realize you've left some legally-required-but-not-important piece of aircraft paperwork back at home, would you continue the flight

Anybody got further examples of questions, and especially any good answers for them?

There is a method. First thing to do is ask yourself "Does this affect the safety of the aircraft & passengers?". If it does then you don't do it (or go along with it) e.g. the captain turns up drunk, well you give him the chance to report himself unfit for duty and if he doesn't do it then you report him unfit. Either way you walk out of that cockpit & refuse to fly with him. Just remember, ask yourself what the implications to safety are.

Before answering, I would always try and establish what you know as hard fact and what is hearsay/alleged/supposition on your part, then go along with the comments above - examine the options, determine the effect on safety, compliance with the law etc...

No point taking action that will lose you your job/licence/liberty/life (delete as appropriate). If the options mean you cannot avoid at least one, go for losing the job.

Looking for interview questions
 

Everyone...........

There is a thread on here giving a list of questions for for the BA interview, I've been searching but can not find it again. I think it gives a link to another site but it was a while since I've seen it.

Can anyone point me in the right direction.

Thx

Grazi

Try the wannabees section in the main site menu. I believe the questions are there rather than in any specific thread on a forum.


WO79

This the one??

http://www.pprune.org/go.php?go=/pub...annaindex.html

Many thanks

Grazi

Interview Scenario Questions
 

Anybody got any typical or tricky interview 'Scenario' questions they can share?? You know the sort of thing: Captain arrives smelling of alcohol, 5 mins from push back, last flight of day so what would you do??? etc. (good solution ideas also welcome)!!

Thanks :ok:

windy

Well what would you do? An interview question doesn't require a right or wrong answer. You need to give your view and back it up resonably to score the points.

If you need help with interviews then there are plenty of books available with great advice. They don't give you answers, nobody will, but they will help you create answers based on your knowledge and experience.

Good luck.

Obk

Dear in-2-wind,

I am sure you can find loads of info in books about interviews,I am myself going to get to it and buy a book or two.
I know at OAT.net you can find some.I am sure they have been well selected.
On the other hand,when you have 5 people interviewing you,the stress will make the truth come out of you wether you want it or not.
Like it was said there are no right or wrong answer as to speak but make sure you think about your experience and what you did to get where you are now so you dont come to the interview without having anything to say under stress.

Good luck and safe flying,

M.85

look up on the net bud..

Interview Questions
 

Reading some of the posts on these forums, does anyone have an opinion on the hardest / most interesting / most-odd-while-still-being-useful question one could ask someone applying to become a pilot at your airline.

Not talking about a technical one... more along the lines of "if you were FO and your captain wanted to go below minima blah blah" kind of thing.

Hard questions in interviews
 

Because I'm trying to get ready for an interview, I'm trying to think up really hard questions, so that I can try and prepare for if a similar question gets asked. :8

What questions do people think are out there that are 'puzzlers' to say the least. They can be out of your personal experience, or made up on the spot, I don't mind.

The hardest interview questions to answer that I can think of:

What are your weakest points?

Why do you want to be a pilot?

My hardest one was at an Aer Lingus interview after a group session simulating crew survival after a crash:

Which member of the crew (candidates in the group) would you leave behind when getting in liferaft, and why?

In other words, who is the weakest link???!!!

Your on a night stop. The captain knocks on your door, on their way to the bar. The captain is wearing a dress. What do you do or say?

It's your second sector of the day. You're the FO and PF. ATC clears you to FL160. The Capt. says "cleared to FL150". You dial in FL160. The captain challenges you. This same confusion happend on the previous sector. What do you do? When you're in the crew room at the day, how do you feel? Is there any tension between you and the captain?

Why do you want to work for This Airways? (Because you gave me an interview and i don't care where my first job is)

RE: Wobblyprop (Did i sit beside you on a LHR-DUB flight?)
 

The answer to wobblyprop's question 1 is generaly: Buy her a drink! This did catch me out the first time, i had visions of a well fed male captain on the verge of a mid-life crisis, knocking on my door in a cocktail dress!!! I have since learnt to think laterally with interview questions.

But remember, always try and keep your pen out of the company ink! You try sharing the flight deck for the return leg if you were doing the wild thing with your captain!

Point out to him that refilling empty bottles of Vodka with water may give other's the wrong impression.

In relation to the question regarding weaknesses I will be going along the lines of "I am not perfect but do not have any specific weaknesses". Let them retaliate ie Bang their fists on the table then reply that if I had any weaknesses which would effect my performace then I would of addressed them by now.

Just a thought.

Like rmcfarlane, I too had images in my head of a middle aged man having a mid-life crisis; and while this question provides some idle amusement for us here in our comfy chairs once you "know" the answer, it's a very good example of how you can suddenly find yourself in deep waters (being accused of being misogynistic for eg) quite easily. And that "Water in the vodka bottle" scenario is difficult too as you could easily head off in the wrong direction.

It's a bit like that question:

"You're driving your car with the lights turned off. Suddenly you see a black animal standing on a black road. How were you able to see the animal?" (Answer: because it was day-time).

[Personally I think trying to trick candidates with questions like this is a waste of time because (a) there are better ways of finding out of somone can think latterally; and (b) It doesn't actually prove a fat lot if the candidate gives the "wrong" answer, but maybe that's just me!]

Other things to watch out for are:

(a) Questions such as "Tell me the last time you did something wrong" which can lead you into all sorts of difficulties if you start recounting a tale which portrays you in a bad light. Yes we all make mistakes but in the interview scenario it's a natural tendency to try and avoid revealing areas which may be perceived as weaknesses (one of which is "making mistakes"). You may want to get round this question by recounting the hilarious anecdote of the time you let the cat out of the bag about a surprise birthday party.

(b) Questions where you're asked something like: "Tell me your weaknesses" and, an answer having been given, you're asked "And can you tell me another of your weaknesses" forcing you on the defensive and floundering as you desperately try and think of something to say. The received wisdom here (and for other questions of its ilk) is to recognise it's OK to say: "No, that's all I can think of now" and leave it at that.


As for strengths and weaknesses it's always a hard one and there's no really "good" answer. You can always try something like: "I make a strong effort in my work and I sometimes get frustrated by people who don't share my level of commitment" (!) but many think that's too fake. Whatever you say frame the weakness with a positive. So: "I sometimes focus too much on delivery than process, but for the last 3 months I've done (xyz) to resolve this."

Finally with interviews, don't forget the basics - they stand you in good stead:

(i) Don't lie about anything. You never know when you may be caught out. I'm not talking about serious lies (eg saying "I can fly a 777" when you can't) but things such as: "I've been learning to speak Finnish for the last 3 months" (when you haven't); or "I spent my years after University back-packing round Europe" (when you never did). It's just not worth the risk and moreover if you're exposed (by the Finnish back-packing interviewer) your interview is effectively over. It does happen. A friend once got caught out when asked: "How did you prepare for this interview". He went on how he'd done lots of research and read newspaper clippings, but when asked what the company's most important recent announcement was he couldn't say. Needless to say, he didn't get the job.

(ii) Make sure you know as much about the firm you're applying to as you can find out. Some recent history, a knowledge of corporate strategy, current issues, etc etc. Usually company annual reports are a good source for a lot of this info and are avail on-line for free.

(iii) Arrive in good time, but if you're going to be late, call! It happens and people will understand.

If you still need some more advice, I strongly recommend the book "Great answers to tough interview questions".

Hope this helps a bit - and good luck!

Cheers for the offerings guys. I rather like the one about the Captain, and the dress. No one I have tested it on has come back with the appropiate answer. Until I knew the "right" answer I was always thinking of answering it with tact, along the lines of "Sorry, I'm tired." :D Of course, if someone did answer with "Buy her a drink" I expect the interviewers would invariably turn round and say "oh, sorry I forgot to mention that the Captain's a man" to see your reactions?

ojs, thanks for the advice about the book. I have already swiped it off a friend that had a copy, and read it quite thoroughly.

Anyone else that has an interview coming up, this book is a god send. It helps with any stage of applying, including your CV, and is "Great answers to tough interview questions" by Martin Yate. Although I would hate to be on the receiving end of one of the 'stress' interviews that they detail may happen!

Q: "Would you say that you had a good sense of humor?"

A: "Yeh, sure"

Q: "OK then say something funny, make us laugh"

A: "Ummmm....."


--
HaM:}

There was no right or wrong answer to the captain/dress question. It's more about recognising equality on the flight deck etc.

I'd be inclined to ask whose round it was, just in case Captain Nigel's name really is Mandy, on a stopover.

As to the vodka bottle:

Are crew supposed to carry alcohol around open or unopened? If he reeks of vodka, ask if he's feeling well enough to operate the flight. If he says he his then you go sick?

The thing about Vodka is that it's the only spirit that you can't smell on the breath.......... <thinks back to teenage times drinking Vodka and Lime, yuk!>

Captain, I'm a bit nervous about this sector, can I have a quick snifter before we go!!! :O

Interviewer: "I don't like Scotsmen. Discuss."

Me: "er.."

is it true though, that most people fall at the simple questions, rather than the stupidly awkward/hard/unnessisary questions?

My logic in this is; most interviewies prepare for the really hard questions, and spent time preparing for the unexpected, and forget about basics such as, why do you want this job? What can you bring to company? If i was giving an interview to a young potential, i know that if i asked a random stupid question, i would probably have only done it for my own amusement, and would ignore the response when deciding on the most suitable candidate.

I know i have forgotton on previous occasions to brush up on company knowlege, and why i want the job (although till now its always been: i need the money), and I have been going over the silly stuff in my head in the time leading up to the big day.

Having said that though, of all the interviews i've been to I have never been turned down - what a false sense of security that is! I'll let you know what Britannia have to say about me though :)

High Wing Drifter,

If 'why do you want to be a pilot?' is a hard question to be put to someone in a PILOT interview then you would think that the interviewee should reconsider his/hers career choice.

Nope

What an entertaining (and to be fair, usefull ) thread.

My views on some of the questions:

"I don't like Scotsmen. Discuss"
"why"? Let the interviewer come back at you. In any event it will be a generalisation and when that becomes apparent, point it out and agree to differ.

"Do you have a good sense of humour"?
"Yes"
"OK say something funny and make us laugh"
"I've heard there's a pilot shortage coming" That should make them smile!

"Tell me the last time you did something wrong"
So tell them. We're all human and make mistakes (Just don't make it a real clanger). The point is you then tell them how you either (a) realised the mistake, re-assessed your course of action and put it right or (b) had the mistake pointed out to you, re-assessed your course of action and put it right.

Cleared to FL150/160?
get back on the radio and ask for confirmation. If it was FL150 you got it wrong, dial in 150. If it was FL160, S/He got it wrong, dial in 160. Job done.

I've never been to an airline interview so

HWD, thats a bit vague. I guess you don't agree?

Oops, too late, have I said too much?..............

There is a technique interviewers may use known as a silent gap.

Basically, they ask a question which could be a closed question (can be answered simply yes or no). However after you give your yes or no answer, they leave a long silence or pause.

This usually makes you feel uncomfortable enough to try and expand on your answer and be too honest.

Be concious if this is happening and if there is a silence, leave a short silence yourself then say sorry, did you want me to expand on that?

There is also something called the horns and halo effects.
The Horns effect quite simply is where an interviewer takes a less favour to you due to one of your hobbies,etc. So unless you are asked, try not to mention to the interviewer that you are a Leeds/ Man U/ Sheffield Wednesday supporter or anything else that would cause a conflict or debate accross a pub table.
The Halo effect is the opposite, ie when you have written on your CV you enjoy motocross in your spare time, and the interviewer is into the same thing.

Yes, sorry 'bout that. I tried to write something cutting and yet witty. Something to highlight my charming, serious yet humourous character. I couldn't think of anything so in frustration I wrote "Nope."

Basically, I can't answer that question without it sounding trite or somewhat conceited. But being a computer poorgrammer I never did have a way with words!

Very good thread !

I'm going to put a spanner in the works now because we communicate around 80% using body language and about 20% verbal.

From the moment you walk into the interview, the interview itself and when you walk out you give off body language.

Get a book on body language, one which relates to interviews and work, study how to create a positive, confident impression on the person you are speaking with, believe me the interviewers are usually experts in this and can see all this..... e.g. you say your answer is "yes" but you eyes and face say no..... :sad:

Good luck :ok:

AG

I guess with the answer to "Why do you want to fly?" everyone finds it hard to put something that the interviewer hasn't heard a hundred times already that day. I'm pretty sure that an interviewer will be expecting "I've wanted to do it since I could think, and I use to just stand in the garden and watch the planes..." and so you get stumped about what to say because you don't want to bore them. But then again, I think its far more likely that alarm bells will sound to the interviewer if you don't answer passionately about how much you want to fly, and they'll have second thoughts about how committed you are.

I have heard some advice about body language (such as altering the angle of you chair to the person that speaks to you) but there is one thing that really frightens me. Sweaty palms. I really don't want them, but know I will. How do you surreptitiously wipe them before you shake hands. Maybe a bit of tissue, will help.

642VGS Is that Linton?

The Captain knocks on your door in a dress, on the way to the bar....surely the answer is "Good evening, Captain"

caracul

Linton it is. Are you an ex student or instructor?

pm me if you need any info

Cheers

The other unfortunate thing is you don't knowwhat the interviewer is actually trying to get out of you.

Quite alot of the questions about cockpit situations are really quite simple after you have done a couple of years on the line.
I presme they are in there to stress you a bit and get you to start thinking on your feet and as such there is no correct answer but its how you handle being in a flap that they are looking at.

Also what interviewers are looking for in one company may be completely different for another.

What I have always done for all interviews be it Pilot, Engineering or IT contracting is do your home work on what ever company you want to work for. This begins as your writing your CV for that company, keep a set of notes and a log of what ou have told them and when you have applied etc. Then if you get an interview review the CV that you sent them (nothing worse than them asking you a question about information you had forgotten you had put on your CV). As a note it was 5 months after I sent my CV off before I got the phone call for my current job. Phone call on the Monday Interview on the Tuesday started the type rating a week later. Thankfully I had a copy of the CV that I had sent them even though i didn't need it.

Next thing is make sure your tech is up to speed. Some companys will go for technical questions big style and others won't I have heard of people having to do prop theory on a white board.

Then dress smart, polish shoes etc. First impressions do count.

Then be yourself.

The question i found hardest in my interview was " Why should I employ you?"

I gave the usual bull**** and then when I was flagging a bit I said "because I am a nice chap" at which point the interviewer said good thats what we are looking for and launched into what they were going to pay me.

So unless you have inside info about what the interviewer is looking for I wouldn't worry to much about the personal questions they are there to excite you and see how you handle stress. A totally unstressed panned responce will proberly be as much of a no no as a flapping sweating reaction.

You have to remember that all they are looking for is someone who is intelligent enough to pass a type/line rating/training with min training. A medical and Lic. Enough experence to satisfiy their insurance. And some one who isn't going to cause CRM problems every week. Someone that they could see going for a pint and a meal with if you get stuck down route.

MJ

The question that nearly tripped me was....

"How would you say your friends percieve you?"

followed by something like

"we are all imperfect, if your friends could change an aspect of you what would they change? and why?"

I fudged my way through somehow.

The Captain knocks on your door in the dress

The answer

I thought I was wearing the blue tonight!

Hi,

I am a million miles away from attending my first airline interview so unfortunately I can't post any specific examples of questions which you might be asked, however I do currently hold a senior management position with a large public company, and as such I have a great deal of involvement in the recruitment and selection of staff.

While each organisation differs slightly in its approach to recruitment broadly the processes will be similar, and while I can't help you with SIM checks, I am experinenced in short listing, Psychometric testing, and interview technique.

These are all stages at which people fall down (up to 80 percent of candidates don't even make it past short listing) and I'd be happy to offer general advice to anyone that wants it.

Returning to the topic of this thread I just wanted to let you know that there are some great books out there which offer guidance on how to answer those tricky interview questions. One which I looked at the other day gave you an entire script for each question, and while I wouldn't recommend that you used it as such, the guidance given was actually very good.

I have to admit that it provided answers to a number of questions which I have asked people before now, and it certainly gave me ideas for questions which I will be asking people in the future!

Anyway if this is something which you are worried about it might be worth investing in a similar book. Could be the best 6 quid you ever spent!

That said, While reading books on all manner of interview techniques will help, (because you'll feel more confident in yourself) ultimately the best advice anyone can give you is just to be yourself.

The thing to remember is that essentially the interviewer wants you to do well. No doubt they will have already spent hours short listing applications, (and believe me this can be a soul destroying process) so by the time they actually get candidates to the interview, they are generally hoping to see that they have made the right choices!

The other thing to remember is that the panel will probably be interviewing a number of candidates, and after about the third one they will be desperately looking for someone to relieve their monotony.

The best way to do that is just be natural and enthusiastic. Believe me, some people can be very hard work, so if you can just adopt a natural approach, and display a real enthusiasm, you'll be half way there.


Kind regards,:{ :ok: