Getting past the receptionists when looking for Charter jobs

[dabz]

I've recently discovered a new challenge to this industry, one that has nothing to do with actual flying but is so important!

How does one get to see the chief pilot when visiting air charters up in the NT/WA?

You can spend a lot of money and time visiting these places to not meet the CP and have your resume placed in the bin :/

I'd be most interested if anybody has any tips or advise in tackling these "very solid brick walls".

[Tidbinbilla]

Bring flowers if the receptionist is female. Bring a carton if it's a bloke.

Sorry.... NT/WA. Bring a carton for either gender

A point worth noting: It's just as difficult to see the Chief Pilot anywhere in Oz.

[Worrals in the wilds]

I had this problem as a youngling in another industry that's almost as parochial. If you can possibly dredge up a friend, relative, friend-of-a relative or relative-of-a-friend who knows the target (sorry, CP) it can be a useful intro in a phone conversation with them. 'Bob suggested I give you a call' is a lot more memorable than being wannabe #301 for the week and may help your resume make it past the circular file.

My guess would be that ringing ahead before rocking up would good business practice, but maybe it's different for regional flying ops.

If all else fails, remember to be scrupulously polite to receptionists and well presented. It's amazing how many job seekers aren't, and it invariably gets back to whoever's doing the hiring.

Good luck!

[dabz]

I've tired calling ahead of time and it's resulted in giving the receptionist warning to deny you when you arrive!

I've figured if you want to see the right people it involves moving into town for an unknown period of time so you can visit each operator multiple times. Eventually you will get to the right person and only then does the interview process begin... Unless there's another step that nobody has told me about?

[YPJT]

Quite simply, make an appointment. Frustrating I know but at least you will have a headsup before arriving as to whether the CP wants to talk to you or not.

[AussieNick]

just be careful, that 'receptionist' might just be a pilot not flying that day for some reason, or the CP him/herself not in uniform....

[Unhinged]

I can hear conversations in the reception area from my desk, and how people treat the receptionist affects whether I'm "in" or "out" when pilots come calling.

And as Nick says, the receptionist might not be who you think they are ... I've overheard some interesting conversations between my boss and potential employees who didn't realise that the woman sitting behind the desk that morning owns the business.

[DaisyDuck]

I am with you U/H, very humourous watching some people come in the door and they think they are 'just' talking to 'the receptionist'. Alot of GA work places are tight knit. Make a tool of yourself at the front desk and good luck getting any further, no matter who you are speaking to.
Best just to be courteous, and yes, attempt to make an appointment or ask when the best time might be to catch the CP. If the CP doesn't want to see job applicants, you aren't in with much of a chance.

[Charlie Foxtrot India]

Yes I've heard that too, quite recently, where a company director was running the front desk and treated like something the wannabee employee scraped off their shoe. Great karma. Has happened to me too. "Make me a coffee while I wait for the CFI"

The very solid brick walls are there for a good reason, the same reason that most workplaces have a reception person. BECAUSE THE BOSS ACTUALLY HAS WORK TO DO.

My front desk staff are instructed not to allow anyone through who hasn't had the courtesy to make an appointment, and they are very good at spam filtering. They can deal with 99% of the stuff that comes through the door anway.

Poor manners such as a complete stranger barging in with no notice expecting to drag me out of a briefing room/meeting/prevent me from meeting a deadline (or just get home on time) makes an appalling first impression and their resume is destined for the circular filing cabinet for that reason alone.

Who advises these people?! Do they really think CPs just sit there all day longing for the perfect stranger to walk through the door? Would you do it for any other type of job??

[Capetonian]

I've overheard some interesting conversations between my boss and potential employees who didn't realise that the woman sitting behind the desk that morning owns the business.

There was the story of the man who went to see a highpowered and expensive London solicitor. He walked in to the waiting area and sat down, and a well-groomed young lady greeted him. He asked her to get him a cup of coffee while he waited.

She did so, waited patiently until he'd finished it, then called him into her office where the 'clock' had already been runnning for 20 minutes at about Ł250 an hour!

[Worrals in the wilds]

Awesome.

"But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you". Luke 14:10.

I'm sure other non Christian religious texts contain similar advice, i.e. don't assume you're the biggest cheese in the room until you're really sure. Even then be polite, because you don't know who the cadet receptionist is related to. Trust me, I've been the cadet receptionist .

[Xcel]

The logical thing is to make an appointment. If the Cp won't accept appointments don't think that they are the be all and end all - owners - ops manager - senior pilots - engineers even the receptionist may be of help to get your resume on the desk at the top of the pile.

It's funny how a little research goes a long way though. Ring ahead to find a suitable time to just drop a resume off... Just a resume nothing more. Then when you drop it off try make an appointment be as polite and professional as you would expect to be treated ( may not be very much for some) and you should be in a better position. Try not to rush visits...

Hope this helps someone
cheers

[mince]

Tell the receptionist you're from the ATSB or CASA when you call.....works every time

[Bounceferret]

How about be considerate, honest and well mannered and when walking into the operator understand that you have an "L" stuck to your back.... also remember your name is not Pete Mitchell
Try and try again, if that fails, try again.

[A37575]

OMG.. It seems from all these replies that every piddling little general aviation chief pilot or CFI in Australia (including one Mod by the tone of the reply) have delusions of grandeur. And Australians boast of being egalitarian...

This in marked contrast to the experience of one of my friends who knocked on doors at Djakarta airport in Indonesia, looking for a flying job and where he was welcomed with unfailing politeness and courtesy by management people.
Better still he was offered a job with more than one operator.

[aerodude]

From what ive seen where I work.
The best advice is to ring ahead and try and make an appointment with the CP/CFI. People that just rock up unannounced will NEVER get a look in. Most the time they are out flying themselves/doing paperwork ect. Be nice to the person behind the front desk. You never know who they are. Even if they are just a receptionist, if you **** on them, your resume wont get much further than the recycling bin. If the CP/CFI doesn't want to see you then perhaps there are no jobs going or you're not suitable for the job. Hope it helps and good luck with the job hunt

[Metro man]

This in marked contrast to the experience of one of my friends who knocked on doors at Djakarta airport in Indonesia, looking for a flying job and where he was welcomed with unfailing politeness and courtesy by management people.

This is normal for Asia where the position of pilot is treated with respect verses Australia where a pilot is just another Tom, Dick or Harry. I remember a few years ago, making an appointment with someone in HR who I had cold called about a job for which I wasn't even endorsed for. When I arrived she had been called to a meeting, but would I like to talk to the Vice President of Flight Operations instead ?

Compare that to Australia where very often a snotty little cow looks down her nose at you and won't even treat you with common courtesy. A nuisance salesman gets better treatment. Doesn't matter how polite you are to them.

I hope the receptionist from Flight West Airlines got the same treatment she gave to pilots when she needed to find another job.

However you would be better off not getting past Arthur Morris's receptionist, he was the worst of all.

[UnaMas]

Heh, Arthur Morris, he is not to bad if he likes you. But a cu$7 if he doesn't!
Just try to find a common interest.

[Sunfish]

This almost always works:

Objective One - get an appointment with CP.

1. Find out who the managing director or CEO is. Learn as much as you can about the company and its operations.

2. Ring CEO or Managing Director and ask for them by name. You get past reception by stating that you want to talk to him about charter work. When connected, state who you are and that you are a pilot who believes he may have something to contribute to the company's operations. Be as specific as you can.

You will most likely be asked to talk to the CP/CFI.

3. Ring CP/CFI. Ask for them by name. State truthfully "Mr. so and so asked me to ring you". State your case and ask for an appointment. Since you have been referred from above, the CP probably doesn't know who you are, but he knows the boss wants you to talk to this guy. He doesn't know you cold called his boss. You will probably get your appointment. Bring your resume.


4. The rest is up to you.

P.S. It's easier for girls, you will always at least get the appointment.

[aileron_69]

I believe Sunfish has hit the nail on the head there. Even without talking to the company director (and a lot of company directors are te CP as well in smaller companies,) you will do a lot better if you can ask for the CP by name, rather than just "could I speak to the chief pilot."
Research people, its just not that hard.