First Job
 

G'day,

I'm trying to find information regarding how you went about finding your first pilot job. Some were luckier than others in terms of what gig they landed but I just want to know what seems to be the norm and what seems to work.

We all know how hard it is but with a little help from the experienced we can try make it easier.

I understand that this may be the wrong place to ask this topic but this area gets the most exposure and I'd think the most valuable info would come from here.

Looking forward to hearing others experience.

ThatsAviation

Was easy. Just pack the car and start knocking on doors is not rocket science.

There seems to only really be two ways.

Either you have connections that hook you up with a job or the well-trodden method that solowflyer mentioned.

I would say the majority is the later with a touch of the first.

This website has some great information FlyingOz

Anybody who says it is easy is probably in the first camp. Going out west without mates in the industry or even a mentor is a fairly big deal for any young pilot.

Everybody says it, but timing truly is everything. Mine continually seems to be wrong.. :ugh:

And also, take enough money- it's a lot more expensive than you think.

For my first flying gig I went around the country (New Zealand - both Islands) knocking on doors, and eventually was accept into an aero club on a casual basis. I went and asked at every place that might have a flying connection, and whilst alot of people said no, they all said that they were glad to see that I was proactively searching, meeting people rather than sitting at home sending heaps of emails.
After my first job ended (redundancy) I saved up and moved to Australia as I had seen jobs that I wanted to apply for. Just after I arrived there was another job advertised that I applied for on a Friday afternoon via email, received a phonecall Monday morning requesting a job interview and flight Tuesday. I started a week later, approx 1 month after arriving in Aus.
From my limited experience I can say it depends on the company, and how it is set up. Some places only will hire if you knock on their door at the right time, others will only accept emailed CVs, so I cannot stress this enough: If reply to an advert READ and FOLLOW all directions/requirements.

Unless they are interstate from you it makes sense no matter what industry to walk in and hand in a resume face to face doesn't it? It would certainly please a prospective employer who may have received several other resumes and letters bu by email or as letters.