New CPL - First Resume
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New CPL - First Resume
Hi guys, Just wondering what I should be including in my first aviation CV. Have started writing it out and it makes me realise just how little experience I have.
Should I try and pad it out with related skills from others Jobs (Customers/Sales etc) or is it better just to leave it at basics.
So far its one page long and looks very bare, just my hours and and a short list of previous jobs.
Should I try and pad it out with related skills from others Jobs (Customers/Sales etc) or is it better just to leave it at basics.
So far its one page long and looks very bare, just my hours and and a short list of previous jobs.
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I have only ever sent out 1 page resumes.. Found that any more would cause the cp to lose interest or start mocking the fact that on page 7 the person has got their grade 3 marks and a copy of the stickers he recieved for the finger painting!
On that one page simply put all the things that you think would make you intersesting enough to call.. NO fancy font or borders necessary!!
Pilots are use to reading things in basic format, weather, NOTAMS etc..
Name
Contact Details
Licence, Ratings and endorsements
Hours
Previous employment X2 or 3 (even if non aviation related.. Will give them an idea of what else you can do)
Additional skills (IT, carpenter etc)
References available on request..
If you cant hand it in in person, best to follow up with a phone call or visit.
Good luck..
On that one page simply put all the things that you think would make you intersesting enough to call.. NO fancy font or borders necessary!!
Pilots are use to reading things in basic format, weather, NOTAMS etc..
Name
Contact Details
Licence, Ratings and endorsements
Hours
Previous employment X2 or 3 (even if non aviation related.. Will give them an idea of what else you can do)
Additional skills (IT, carpenter etc)
References available on request..
If you cant hand it in in person, best to follow up with a phone call or visit.
Good luck..
I am reading a lot of resumes at the moment.
Hey's advice is pretty sound, especially for new entrants and for "on spec" resumes sent out for unadvertised positions.
Your "other" skills are pretty important, espec if you have a qualification or proven experience.
You could probably leave out the ubiquitous "I am punctual and pay attention to detail" etc etc etc, they all say that. Dunno about other employers but I rely on your previous employers to tell me that and (no offence) I ignore it on your resume.
If you are applying for an advertised position, make sure you address the criteria either in your cover letter or in the resume itself.
eg: If the advert asks for x hours multi, x hours in command make sure your hours are broken down exactly like that so the person reviewing can quickly add you to the "yes" pile.
If there are "desireable" qualfications or experience, make sure it's shown prominently enough that you can be added to the "Yes+" pile.
Finally, there are a few cranky old crusty bastards out there who will rate Aerobatics and Tailwheel pretty highly especially as all those "I just wanna be a Boeing driver and you're just a stepping stone" pilots ain't got it.
All other things being equal, I will employ Tailwheel and Aeros ahead of the others every time.
GOOD LUCK
Hey's advice is pretty sound, especially for new entrants and for "on spec" resumes sent out for unadvertised positions.
Your "other" skills are pretty important, espec if you have a qualification or proven experience.
You could probably leave out the ubiquitous "I am punctual and pay attention to detail" etc etc etc, they all say that. Dunno about other employers but I rely on your previous employers to tell me that and (no offence) I ignore it on your resume.
If you are applying for an advertised position, make sure you address the criteria either in your cover letter or in the resume itself.
eg: If the advert asks for x hours multi, x hours in command make sure your hours are broken down exactly like that so the person reviewing can quickly add you to the "yes" pile.
If there are "desireable" qualfications or experience, make sure it's shown prominently enough that you can be added to the "Yes+" pile.
Finally, there are a few cranky old crusty bastards out there who will rate Aerobatics and Tailwheel pretty highly especially as all those "I just wanna be a Boeing driver and you're just a stepping stone" pilots ain't got it.
All other things being equal, I will employ Tailwheel and Aeros ahead of the others every time.
GOOD LUCK
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Given the choice which one of these would be better to have?
10-15 Hours on a 182
NVFR
Tail Wheel/Aerobatics
Unfortunately I'm very nearly broke and am forced to choose between one of these for my final few hours
Have been leaning towards the 182 as I've seen a number of jobs on AFAP asking for hours for insurance, however would love to do the Aeros was thinking of doing them in a Citabria
10-15 Hours on a 182
NVFR
Tail Wheel/Aerobatics
Unfortunately I'm very nearly broke and am forced to choose between one of these for my final few hours
Have been leaning towards the 182 as I've seen a number of jobs on AFAP asking for hours for insurance, however would love to do the Aeros was thinking of doing them in a Citabria
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When I was learning to fly with Queensland Aviation Services and the great John Eglan, he'd always get me to look at everyones resume's as they dropped them in. In addition to this, he'd ask me where I thought they lost the chance to work with QAS when they arrived (generally it was because they turned up in their boardies, or a scruffy look!).
From going over all the resumes that were dropped in, the simplest ones were always the best. Nice easy to read font and size, with only the key information on the page. Anything that doesnt really matter, leave it out.
My opinion of what the CP looks at when he/she reads a resume: #2, #3, #1, #4; the KEY is to K.I.S.S. and SELL YOURSELF (no, not that way! - but market yourself to be the right guy for the job).
Never e-mail a resume, unless the company your applying for specifies that this is the prefered way. Your resume/e-mail is way too easy for the hirer to hit the delete button without even opening the e-mail.
My resume (not CV) is in *.doc format, that looks like this...
1) Personal Details:
Address: yadda yadda
Mobile: yadda yadda
E-mail: yadda yadda
D.O.B.: yadda yadda
Health: Excellent, non smoker
2) Flying Experience and Qualifications:
As of dd month year:
Total Aeronautical Experience: xxx
Total Multi-Engine Command: xxx
Total Turbo-Prop and Multi-Crew: xxx
Total Instrument Flying: xxx
Total Night: xxx
(obviously replace the above particulars of your current situation. For instance, if no TP or MC time, replace with Total Insructor or Total Charter hours, total or command single, etc... basically, what ever you think is most important to sell yourself to your future employer)
Jan '08 CMEIR Renewal #3
Oct '07 yadda yadda
Jan '03 Comercial Pilots (Aeroplane) License
xxx 'yy other qualifications relevant to this job
3) Aeroplane Type and other endorsements
C310/C340 Pressurisation System
BE58 Tail-dragger
PA34 Glider Towing
S/E Aeroplanes MTOW <5700kg
4) Personal / Professional Referee's
List as you like, or on request..
Hope this helps,
go_soaring! instead
From going over all the resumes that were dropped in, the simplest ones were always the best. Nice easy to read font and size, with only the key information on the page. Anything that doesnt really matter, leave it out.
My opinion of what the CP looks at when he/she reads a resume: #2, #3, #1, #4; the KEY is to K.I.S.S. and SELL YOURSELF (no, not that way! - but market yourself to be the right guy for the job).
Never e-mail a resume, unless the company your applying for specifies that this is the prefered way. Your resume/e-mail is way too easy for the hirer to hit the delete button without even opening the e-mail.
My resume (not CV) is in *.doc format, that looks like this...
XXX YYY (in large font)
1) Personal Details:
Address: yadda yadda
Mobile: yadda yadda
E-mail: yadda yadda
D.O.B.: yadda yadda
Health: Excellent, non smoker
2) Flying Experience and Qualifications:
As of dd month year:
Total Aeronautical Experience: xxx
Total Multi-Engine Command: xxx
Total Turbo-Prop and Multi-Crew: xxx
Total Instrument Flying: xxx
Total Night: xxx
(obviously replace the above particulars of your current situation. For instance, if no TP or MC time, replace with Total Insructor or Total Charter hours, total or command single, etc... basically, what ever you think is most important to sell yourself to your future employer)
Jan '08 CMEIR Renewal #3
Oct '07 yadda yadda
Jan '03 Comercial Pilots (Aeroplane) License
xxx 'yy other qualifications relevant to this job
3) Aeroplane Type and other endorsements
C310/C340 Pressurisation System
BE58 Tail-dragger
PA34 Glider Towing
S/E Aeroplanes MTOW <5700kg
4) Personal / Professional Referee's
List as you like, or on request..
Hope this helps,
go_soaring! instead
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hogespa28,
I'd go the tail-dragger endorsement, as it was the way I got my first 200hrs of flying experience. Gliding Clubs are always looking for people to tow the gliders up of a weekend (the reason, because all the 'tuggies' are glider pilots themselves and would rather be gliding than flying a 'stink wing' (as they'd say!)).
Commercial Gliding Clubs like: Gliding Club of Victoria (Benalla), Australian Soaring Centre (Corowa), Narromine Gliding Club, Soar Narromine and Lake Keepit Soaring Club are always looking for seasonal tuggies. On a bad season (approx 6months) like mine was, expect about 200hrs, on a good season expect about 300-350hrs.
You'd generally be flying a Pawnee (PA25), which is GREAT FUN, it's like being a fighter pilot for a day!
Give me a pvt message if you decide to go for the tail-dragger endorsement to get glider towing hrs, as I can point you in the right direction of your surrounding gliding clubs and how to get the towing endorsement (free)..
go_soaring! instead
P.s. you can count 750hrs of gliding towards your ATPL, and it's great fun!
I'd go the tail-dragger endorsement, as it was the way I got my first 200hrs of flying experience. Gliding Clubs are always looking for people to tow the gliders up of a weekend (the reason, because all the 'tuggies' are glider pilots themselves and would rather be gliding than flying a 'stink wing' (as they'd say!)).
Commercial Gliding Clubs like: Gliding Club of Victoria (Benalla), Australian Soaring Centre (Corowa), Narromine Gliding Club, Soar Narromine and Lake Keepit Soaring Club are always looking for seasonal tuggies. On a bad season (approx 6months) like mine was, expect about 200hrs, on a good season expect about 300-350hrs.
You'd generally be flying a Pawnee (PA25), which is GREAT FUN, it's like being a fighter pilot for a day!
Give me a pvt message if you decide to go for the tail-dragger endorsement to get glider towing hrs, as I can point you in the right direction of your surrounding gliding clubs and how to get the towing endorsement (free)..
go_soaring! instead
P.s. you can count 750hrs of gliding towards your ATPL, and it's great fun!
I also agree with Hey...
I was once in a position of going through resume's and one was from a female applicant who sent in a resume of approx 20 pages.
It covered everything from schooling and grades, to netball teams.
I read through it and could not tell if this applicant had even held a pilots licence. I gave it to a colleague who also came to the same conclusion.
Best advice K.I.S.S. (no personal offence intended). One page is GOOD.
Don't worry. I haven't come across a guy yet who was born with 10,000hrs in his logbook.
I was once in a position of going through resume's and one was from a female applicant who sent in a resume of approx 20 pages.
It covered everything from schooling and grades, to netball teams.
I read through it and could not tell if this applicant had even held a pilots licence. I gave it to a colleague who also came to the same conclusion.
Best advice K.I.S.S. (no personal offence intended). One page is GOOD.
and it makes me realise just how little experience I have.
Last edited by dogcharlietree; 13th Jul 2008 at 12:44.
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Sorry, this might sound really stupid but I'm in the same boat as hog, first resume also. All very good tips but just wondering in go_soaring's post, the "XXX YYY(in large font)" means... 
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1) Write the cover letter (one page), write it to the job, i.e highlight the experience you have that they want.
2) Resume simple, one page, perhaps referee's on a second page, do not give out the referee's page untill requested (save the embarrasment of your cuurent employer being contacted without your consent/knowledge).
for Example:
John Smith ARN: 532 324
4 Smith Crescent Smithville WA 6069
DOB: 06 Oct 1983
Mob: 0428 249 905
[email protected]
ATPL-A CPL-H
MECIR-A ( 11 renewals )
(NDB, VOR, ILS/LLZ, GPS arrival )
Low Level-A HUET
Grade Three Instructors Rating
Multi Engine Training Approval
Instrument Training Approval
CAR 217 Instrument ATO, Check and Training Approvals
Nil Accidents or Incidents ( Fixed Wing or Rotary )
Total Time 5,000
Multi Comm 2,800
Single Comm 1,900
Instrument 590
Turbine (PW & Garrett) 1500
Night 250
Co Pilot 150
Aircraft Flown: C212, SA227, PC12, BN3, BN2, C404, C402, AC50, C340,
C310, B58, P68, PA31, PA34, PA44, PA30/39, C337, Cresco, C208, C210,
C207, C206, 7GCBC, 8KCAB, LA4-200, B47, R44, R22 and Float-H.
Present Employment:
Smithville VD Clinic C402
Jandakot, Western Australia
Previous Employment:
Douche Bag Aviation Metro 23 Captain
Smithsville Knock Shop C&T, ATO and Line Pilot
ABC Aviation Line Pilot C402 / BN2
AAA Aviation Chief Pilot / C&T, ATO
BBB Helicopters Chief Pilot
CCCC Australia Line Pilot BN2
Rusty Air Lines Pilot BN2
Agitator Airways Line Pilot C207 / C206 / LA4-200 / C210
2) Resume simple, one page, perhaps referee's on a second page, do not give out the referee's page untill requested (save the embarrasment of your cuurent employer being contacted without your consent/knowledge).
for Example:
John Smith ARN: 532 324
4 Smith Crescent Smithville WA 6069
DOB: 06 Oct 1983
Mob: 0428 249 905
[email protected]
ATPL-A CPL-H
MECIR-A ( 11 renewals )
(NDB, VOR, ILS/LLZ, GPS arrival )
Low Level-A HUET
Grade Three Instructors Rating
Multi Engine Training Approval
Instrument Training Approval
CAR 217 Instrument ATO, Check and Training Approvals
Nil Accidents or Incidents ( Fixed Wing or Rotary )
Total Time 5,000
Multi Comm 2,800
Single Comm 1,900
Instrument 590
Turbine (PW & Garrett) 1500
Night 250
Co Pilot 150
Aircraft Flown: C212, SA227, PC12, BN3, BN2, C404, C402, AC50, C340,
C310, B58, P68, PA31, PA34, PA44, PA30/39, C337, Cresco, C208, C210,
C207, C206, 7GCBC, 8KCAB, LA4-200, B47, R44, R22 and Float-H.
Present Employment:
Smithville VD Clinic C402
Jandakot, Western Australia
Previous Employment:
Douche Bag Aviation Metro 23 Captain
Smithsville Knock Shop C&T, ATO and Line Pilot
ABC Aviation Line Pilot C402 / BN2
AAA Aviation Chief Pilot / C&T, ATO
BBB Helicopters Chief Pilot
CCCC Australia Line Pilot BN2
Rusty Air Lines Pilot BN2
Agitator Airways Line Pilot C207 / C206 / LA4-200 / C210
Last edited by Lefthanded_Rock_Thrower; 14th Jul 2008 at 05:25.
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oh, and for f***s sake, make sure your spelling and grammar is spot on!! If you "ain't real good" at it, get someone who is to proof read it for you.
If you're going to be posting it off, make sure you look at it before you put it in the envelope. I've seen a couple in which the formatting buggered up, but ended up across our desk anyway! Impossible to read!
All the previous posts hit the nail on the head. 1 page (2 max). Simple. We are simple folk.
If you're going to be posting it off, make sure you look at it before you put it in the envelope. I've seen a couple in which the formatting buggered up, but ended up across our desk anyway! Impossible to read!
All the previous posts hit the nail on the head. 1 page (2 max). Simple. We are simple folk.
Moderator
Horatio
Thanks for the complement and offer, but I don't come cheap! 
Who is Aeros?
Tail Wheel
"I will employ Tailwheel and Aeros ahead of the others every time."
Who is Aeros?
Tail Wheel
Sprucegoose
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Whatever you do, don't include a picture of yourself standing in front of a 747, FA-18, or any other aircraft that you have never flown...
Otherwise as others have said 'keep it simple'!
Otherwise as others have said 'keep it simple'!
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http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/
Go to Downloads, then Job Search and get the Civilian cover letter and civilian resume (might be on page 2).
The CV should be one page, and should not be used for talking yourself up. Just the facts. The selling part is for the interview and your references/previous bosses, when essentially they have given you the job on paper and are giving you the opportunity to talk yourself out of it :P
The cover letter example needs very little tweaking, just make sure if you're sending lots out that the right ones go to the right outfits, otherwise it gets embarrassing rapidly.
That's all I did with mine, and never had any issues. The only other thing to consider is a photo as some HR people like to put names to faces. Don't do what I did with my first one and stick a typical prop shot of yourself infront of a 152 on a sunny day wearing sunnies - it should be head and shoulders, professional looking but no sunglasses!
Hope this helps, and good hunting
Go to Downloads, then Job Search and get the Civilian cover letter and civilian resume (might be on page 2).
The CV should be one page, and should not be used for talking yourself up. Just the facts. The selling part is for the interview and your references/previous bosses, when essentially they have given you the job on paper and are giving you the opportunity to talk yourself out of it :P
The cover letter example needs very little tweaking, just make sure if you're sending lots out that the right ones go to the right outfits, otherwise it gets embarrassing rapidly.
That's all I did with mine, and never had any issues. The only other thing to consider is a photo as some HR people like to put names to faces. Don't do what I did with my first one and stick a typical prop shot of yourself infront of a 152 on a sunny day wearing sunnies - it should be head and shoulders, professional looking but no sunglasses!
Hope this helps, and good hunting
