Resume Gripes.
"What if was management at Maccas? " Jeez, I'd be quaking in my boots that you might be after my job.
Seriously though, it is better to understate your peripheral qualifications than overstate them. Most entry jobs only require that your hours and ratings meet the insurance minima and that you are neat, tidy, good with basic paperwork and most importantly can fly the boss's machine without frightening the punters or breaking it.
Seriously though, it is better to understate your peripheral qualifications than overstate them. Most entry jobs only require that your hours and ratings meet the insurance minima and that you are neat, tidy, good with basic paperwork and most importantly can fly the boss's machine without frightening the punters or breaking it.
Instant don't-get-the-job:
* Applying for an advertised position without meeting the specs. in the ad.
* You paid for a type rating or some other pay-for-experience in commercial operations scheme.
Annoyances that usually lead to the round file:
* Using 'frozen ATPL'. You hold a CPL (or whatever). That's what is written on the licence so that's the qualification you have. You didn't claim to have a 'frozen CPL' after doing the CPL exams, did you? Or a 'frozen PPL' after passing the PPL theory? Jeez, I loathe 'marketing speak' & hype.
* Including sim or other flight training device in total hours. If I wanted sim or FTD time it would be requested in the ad.
* Claiming IFR time as IF time. The two are not the same.
* Poor spelling etc
Minor annoyance:
* Hours given to the .1. Please round down to the nearest hour (if low houred), nearest 10 if reasonably experienced, and nearest hundred if you have lots of hours.
Preferences:
* If you have experience in an aircraft type (or similar type) that is operated by the company then please list your experience on it - even if it's a single engine type.
* Ditto any experience in the types of operations the company does, or the region in which it operates.
Never write on PPRuNe after 0100 after drinking wine. Ditto when preparing one's CV
* Applying for an advertised position without meeting the specs. in the ad.
* You paid for a type rating or some other pay-for-experience in commercial operations scheme.
Annoyances that usually lead to the round file:
* Using 'frozen ATPL'. You hold a CPL (or whatever). That's what is written on the licence so that's the qualification you have. You didn't claim to have a 'frozen CPL' after doing the CPL exams, did you? Or a 'frozen PPL' after passing the PPL theory? Jeez, I loathe 'marketing speak' & hype.
* Including sim or other flight training device in total hours. If I wanted sim or FTD time it would be requested in the ad.
* Claiming IFR time as IF time. The two are not the same.
* Poor spelling etc
Minor annoyance:
* Hours given to the .1. Please round down to the nearest hour (if low houred), nearest 10 if reasonably experienced, and nearest hundred if you have lots of hours.
Preferences:
* If you have experience in an aircraft type (or similar type) that is operated by the company then please list your experience on it - even if it's a single engine type.
* Ditto any experience in the types of operations the company does, or the region in which it operates.
Never write on PPRuNe after 0100 after drinking wine. Ditto when preparing one's CV
Last edited by Tinstaafl; 7th Jul 2012 at 18:02.
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I don't care if you won 3rd place in your year 8 swimming championships or are interested in cricket or line dancing. If I wanted to know that (which I don't), I would ask you in the interview.
Last edited by Avgas172; 7th Jul 2012 at 07:17.
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How about smoker vs non-smoker ?
It may upset some here but I have been in jobs where you literally have to carry some guys while they are skiving-off. I have had bosses say that they would never want to employ a smoker again.
I would have thought that a guy could perhaps allude to his non-smoking habits, admit it or not I know many employers would be swayed.
It may upset some here but I have been in jobs where you literally have to carry some guys while they are skiving-off. I have had bosses say that they would never want to employ a smoker again.
I would have thought that a guy could perhaps allude to his non-smoking habits, admit it or not I know many employers would be swayed.
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Belting the keyboard on an anonymous internet forum and preparing a formal document that may decide if you do or do not get a job are slightly different kettles of fish...
A CV should be gone over with a fine tooth comb before being sent out - if not, what does that say about the applicant?
A CV should be gone over with a fine tooth comb before being sent out - if not, what does that say about the applicant?
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* You payed for a type rating or some other pay-for-experience in commercial operations scheme.
* You payed for a type rating or some other pay-for-experience in commercial operations scheme.
At what point is it a bad thing to increase your professional experience?
Annoyances that usually lead to the round file:
* Poor spelling etc
* Poor spelling etc
I corrected it. The benefit of 0100 writing + wine then off to bed without proof reading. Not something I'd do prior to sending out a CV.
Mea culpa.
Mea culpa.
Last edited by Tinstaafl; 7th Jul 2012 at 17:00.
I've paid for a few endorsements too - but never at the behest of an employer, or potential employer. Nor have I offered to pay for an endorsement to get a job. And certainly not paid to be a co-pilot to gain hours.
Those sorts of things are little more than the company shifting the burden of operating their business onto someone else, but without also passing on reaping the profits. It masks the true cost of operating. You wouldn't expect the office staff to supply the stationery, computers & software and pay the electricity bills, would you?
Those sorts of things are little more than the company shifting the burden of operating their business onto someone else, but without also passing on reaping the profits. It masks the true cost of operating. You wouldn't expect the office staff to supply the stationery, computers & software and pay the electricity bills, would you?
Those sorts of things are little more than the company shifting the burden of operating their business onto someone else, but without also passing on reaping the profits. It masks the true cost of operating. You wouldn't expect the office staff to supply the stationery, computers & software and pay the electricity bills, would you?
I wouldn't do it, but then I wouldn't fly an airliner!
hi im a Asistant to Cheif Pilot and 1 of my Primmary rolls is to look at ppls resumes. i was promotd to this responcable possition becos of my ability to See Things His Way and Go The Extra Mile and becos i am not a newby anymore. i have 201.3 hrs on 200 series planes. (ps it is ok to use desimal places when listing hevisingel time
anyway my pet hat is wen ppl dont spell or use fullstops properly and stuff.
its' ok for me to through stones, becaus i dont liv in a glass house, i liv in a donga behind the cheif pilots house derrrr.
anyway my pet hat is wen ppl dont spell or use fullstops properly and stuff.
its' ok for me to through stones, becaus i dont liv in a glass house, i liv in a donga behind the cheif pilots house derrrr.
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What's the general consensus on a follow-up phone call? I understand the general way for newbies to find work is to go and visit the employer, but if a company specifically advertises for a pilot position, (which you meet the requirements for) is it OK to give them a call after emailing in your CV? I understand CP's are busy people, often working in Check and Training roles too and prefer to work through CV's at their own pace through emails. Although I need to stand out from the crowd someway or another.
My offering to the discussion is as follows:
1. In the interests of brevity, there is little value in a "Personal Statement". Referees should be the people to testify to the strengths and admirable attributes of a prospective staff member. Consider your referees carefully!
2. On that note, nominate your referees on the resume - the comment "referees on request" means extra effort in having to go through the motions of asking for them... time spent that could be avoided (and might be by a busy CP!). Have one or two professional referees, possibly one personal if that is felt relevent.
3. Always ask your referees for consent before nominating them on your resume. I have seen that come unstuck for hopefuls more times than I care to remember! A simple "are you happy to be a referee for me in the future?" mitigates potential embarrassment. Personally, I am taken aback when I get called up by a company conducting a reference check for a person to whom I have not given my consent as a referee.
4. Photos on a resume should, perhaps, be avoided. If one is included - be really careful with it! No embellishments on fancy uniforms, but a plain white / blue pilot shirt is fine. Get someone who knows how to use a camera to take the photo so that it does not look like a prison mugshot. You should not be leaning on your favourite aircraft, rather a neutral colour background will suffice. The intent is to have the viewer remember you - not some C152... Be careful of the goofy grin facial expression - for this reason I reckon the photo needs to be avoided. The ideal first visual impression is best delivered in person...
Most importantly,
5. If you are new to the industry, good luck and more power to you, but your resume is likely to be very similar to the several hundred others that companies receive. Therefore, the best resume for the first flying job is always one that is followed up by an actual visit to the company. That shows the prospective employer many positive characteristics (including courage) and allows for easy resume follow up. Many CPs will "blow off" drop in hopefuls, but many will take the time to meet them. Research how different companies handle this for your maximum chance of success.
There have been a lot of good pointers in the posts above - so hopefully there will be some improvement in what gets around now!
1. In the interests of brevity, there is little value in a "Personal Statement". Referees should be the people to testify to the strengths and admirable attributes of a prospective staff member. Consider your referees carefully!
2. On that note, nominate your referees on the resume - the comment "referees on request" means extra effort in having to go through the motions of asking for them... time spent that could be avoided (and might be by a busy CP!). Have one or two professional referees, possibly one personal if that is felt relevent.
3. Always ask your referees for consent before nominating them on your resume. I have seen that come unstuck for hopefuls more times than I care to remember! A simple "are you happy to be a referee for me in the future?" mitigates potential embarrassment. Personally, I am taken aback when I get called up by a company conducting a reference check for a person to whom I have not given my consent as a referee.
4. Photos on a resume should, perhaps, be avoided. If one is included - be really careful with it! No embellishments on fancy uniforms, but a plain white / blue pilot shirt is fine. Get someone who knows how to use a camera to take the photo so that it does not look like a prison mugshot. You should not be leaning on your favourite aircraft, rather a neutral colour background will suffice. The intent is to have the viewer remember you - not some C152... Be careful of the goofy grin facial expression - for this reason I reckon the photo needs to be avoided. The ideal first visual impression is best delivered in person...
Most importantly,
5. If you are new to the industry, good luck and more power to you, but your resume is likely to be very similar to the several hundred others that companies receive. Therefore, the best resume for the first flying job is always one that is followed up by an actual visit to the company. That shows the prospective employer many positive characteristics (including courage) and allows for easy resume follow up. Many CPs will "blow off" drop in hopefuls, but many will take the time to meet them. Research how different companies handle this for your maximum chance of success.
There have been a lot of good pointers in the posts above - so hopefully there will be some improvement in what gets around now!
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Some awesome responses in here, rather enjoyed reading this thread. I think as you "grow up" you tend to pay attention to more than just the basics of a resume and start to put more detail as to what the KSC is.. My 2C
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As the saying goes; "You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time"
Does it really matter if the applicant types 'resume' and not résumé? Does this make the person any less suitable for the flying position? FFS I can see at least 5 flying job ads on the AFAP page that spell it 'resume'. Get over it, everyone makes spelling mistakes, even my ATPL text books have typo's.
As for those who say "It's about attention to detail", yet criticise someone who rounds their flying hours to nearest decimal point, make up your mind!
Have you all got too much time on your hands? maybe use all this time giving each of them a call?
Hmm, never mind, throw that resume in the bin, your loss could be another employers gain.
Does it really matter if the applicant types 'resume' and not résumé? Does this make the person any less suitable for the flying position? FFS I can see at least 5 flying job ads on the AFAP page that spell it 'resume'. Get over it, everyone makes spelling mistakes, even my ATPL text books have typo's.
As for those who say "It's about attention to detail", yet criticise someone who rounds their flying hours to nearest decimal point, make up your mind!
Have you all got too much time on your hands? maybe use all this time giving each of them a call?
Hmm, never mind, throw that resume in the bin, your loss could be another employers gain.
Last edited by system.of.a.down; 8th Jul 2012 at 07:39.
The Boss reaches for matches to set fire to resumes with:
Spelling mistakes.
Resumes written in "text speak" - eg C U L8R (don't laugh, it's happened). (Growler,
)
Low time pilots who haven't included their hours on type. Licenced to fly any aircraft under 5700kgs might be a licence but it may not meet the Time on Type which the insurance asks for. Especially frustrating if the job ad specifies "successful applicant must have x hours in command on y type".
Low time pilots who haven't included their command time. (Or in some instances, total time.)
Pilots of any experience who include a photo on their resume when the photo is taken in a (ahem) social situation. Or have edited the photo to cut in half the person's face next to them. Make it professional, or not at all.
Please include a short list of interests other than flying. Apparently it shows a well-rounded individual. (Or not. No points to the applicant who listed his interests as aviation, and pornography).
RadioSaigon - I admire your restraint.
Spelling mistakes.
Resumes written in "text speak" - eg C U L8R (don't laugh, it's happened). (Growler,
)Low time pilots who haven't included their hours on type. Licenced to fly any aircraft under 5700kgs might be a licence but it may not meet the Time on Type which the insurance asks for. Especially frustrating if the job ad specifies "successful applicant must have x hours in command on y type".
Low time pilots who haven't included their command time. (Or in some instances, total time.)
Pilots of any experience who include a photo on their resume when the photo is taken in a (ahem) social situation. Or have edited the photo to cut in half the person's face next to them. Make it professional, or not at all.
Please include a short list of interests other than flying. Apparently it shows a well-rounded individual. (Or not. No points to the applicant who listed his interests as aviation, and pornography).
RadioSaigon - I admire your restraint.
Last edited by outnabout; 8th Jul 2012 at 08:11.
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I watched a GM going through resumes once and it was quite enlightening.
This chap, who had only ever worked for the one organisation in his life and had attained his position because of his lack of untrustworthiness (and time of service) was an education to say the least.
He actually looked for any negative as an excuse to cull a resume.
If the applicant spelt his name wrongly (and it was similar to a brand of beer) he immediately discarded the applicant.
He just looked for excuses to knock the applicant, NOT the reasons why the applicant would be the best fir for the position.
In the end, the people he hired were woefull and the "least offensive" people who applied.
Staff turnover was in the area of 30% annually, morale was crap and I recall calling him a "pod". (pods aren't people)
The nickname stuck and he became "the pod" after that.
There was even an applicant for the receptionist position who delivered her resume personally in a striking outfit and I swear she had oiled her legs.
She was recommended enthusiastically by ALL the male staff!
Guess what, she didn't get the job!
The business survived because it was in an industry that only competed with mum and dad organisations. They were a big fish in a small pond.
Anyhoo, for what its worth, DON'T have a pic on the resume, watch your facebook posts as if you're researching yourself, google yourself ('cause any employer will)
and if you suck d1ck long enough you'll get the career you deserve.
for futher reading, google "industrial psychopath"...
This chap, who had only ever worked for the one organisation in his life and had attained his position because of his lack of untrustworthiness (and time of service) was an education to say the least.
He actually looked for any negative as an excuse to cull a resume.
If the applicant spelt his name wrongly (and it was similar to a brand of beer) he immediately discarded the applicant.
He just looked for excuses to knock the applicant, NOT the reasons why the applicant would be the best fir for the position.
In the end, the people he hired were woefull and the "least offensive" people who applied.
Staff turnover was in the area of 30% annually, morale was crap and I recall calling him a "pod". (pods aren't people)
The nickname stuck and he became "the pod" after that.
There was even an applicant for the receptionist position who delivered her resume personally in a striking outfit and I swear she had oiled her legs.
She was recommended enthusiastically by ALL the male staff!
Guess what, she didn't get the job!
The business survived because it was in an industry that only competed with mum and dad organisations. They were a big fish in a small pond.
Anyhoo, for what its worth, DON'T have a pic on the resume, watch your facebook posts as if you're researching yourself, google yourself ('cause any employer will)
and if you suck d1ck long enough you'll get the career you deserve.
for futher reading, google "industrial psychopath"...