Tips & advice for walking in cold.
 

I just finished my flight instructor rating & at the moment the place I did it at are not looking for instructors so I'm planning on just walking into every operator at Bankstown & Camden to just hand in a resume.

Its easier said than done for me as I'm not really good at walking into somewhere and talking myself up & selling myself. Im not anti social but I just don't know what to do in this regard. I don't want to walk in & just hand in a resume to the CFI/CP & walk out. I would like to have a few mins to talk to them, leaving them an impression of who I am and what my goals are. (Which isn't building hours to get into an airline).

So as the title says, just after tips & advice to handle the whole process, increasing my chance of getting a interview.

Chief.

Some of the people that operate successful GA commercial operations, may be grumpy old men and/or women. So perhaps be accurate with your grammar and spelling in your resume?

Differentiating the spelling of kaftan versus chieftain may help..

But seriously.. Good luck with your endeavour. :)

Be yourself. Don't try and impress me with how much you know about the award and then not know how a gyro works. You're not expected to be a gun. You are expected to know how little you know and that it will take you time to become a competent instructor. Contribute to a safe environment, smile and greet customers politely. Don't let customers stand at the front desk without asking them if they are being attended to. Wear deodorant. Use sunscreen. Realise that if it costs me more to employ you then the income you generate then you won't be employed for long. Complete your paperwork on the day of flight.

Wear gloves and a warm jacket. Shoes with soft grippy soles are also helpful. Don't eat the yellow snow ;).

Sorry.

Call and ask to speak to the secretary/receptionist (if there is one). Be nice on the phone, honest about why you want to visit and ask for tips (do people ever get jobs on walk-ins? What's the chief pilot like? Is there a good time to catch him/her when I can chat for a few minutes? etc.)

Go into a shopping centre. Walk up to women shopping alone (assuming you are a man) and ask for their first name and phone number. When you get an incredulous look, explain that you are in self confidence training and would just like a phone number, any number, it does not have to be a real one. Perhaps they could make one up for you? Have your pen and paper handy. Walk on proudly if they tell you to piss off.

Do this a few dozen times and I assure you your self confidence will go off the Richter scale. Approaching a flying school operator will suddenly become easy peasy!

BTW, the odds are in your favour of getting the odd real name and number.

That's exactly what I thought the thread was going to be all about!

Practice with a friend. Learn to become an extrovert for a short time. Simulate a walk-in interview.

If you goal isn't to "get in and get out asap" then you might actually be in a good position. The problem you have is that likely a dozen others have told the CFI/CP that they are "in it for the long haul" when really what they meant to say was "in it to get to long haul".

As someone that did a lot (ie. thousands and thousands) of cold walk-ins in sales there are a few simple principles to follow that aren't specific to aviation but rather relate to selling...after all, you are selling YOURSELF.

1. SMILE. Even if you don't feel like smiling. If you walk in there frowning or looking beat (and let's be honest it won't be fun getting out there to hand out resume after resume). Smiling, not grimacing, makes you look friendlier, enthusiastic, and more approachable.

2. DON'T JUST STAND THERE IN SILENCE. Acknowledge everyone, doesn't matter if they are the Chief Pilot or CFI or the receptionist. Remember that even people 'lower down the chain' can be the person that advocates for YOU and gets YOU hired, and likewise they can just slide your resume in the bin if you rub them up the wrong way. So start out with a friendly 'Hi!' as soon as you walk in, ask how they are going (and listen to the answer). If they are really busy ask if you can come back at a quieter time and what that might be so you don't annoy them by lingering.

3. KNOW YOUR TARGET. You are walking in cold, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have done your research first. Check out the organisation online. Know their fleet. Know their staff. Do you know anyone that works there? ...and so on. If you are well prepared it will give you conversational material to make small talk and impress anyone that you speak to e.g. "I read online that you have just signed a contract with a Chinese airline for training, that sounds exciting!"

4. A FIRM HANDSHAKE IS KEY. Practice this. Don't do the 'death grip'. Don't EVER do the 'wet fish'. Doesn't matter if they are female or male, you offer your hand and say your full name, not just your first name. If they don't say their name, usually "I didn't catch your name?" works. This is important so if you are following up with a phone call later on you can mention who exactly you spoke to.

5. BE PRESENTABLE and the SORT OF PERSON YOU WOULD WANT FLYING YOUR AIRCRAFT. Neat hair, nothing crazy long or weird styling. Clean shaven. Make sure, for the love of God, you are wearing neat clothes (ie. collared shirt tucked in and decent shoes). If you have no fashion sense get a suitably qualified friend to give you some advice.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

Bob, I like your thinking. Might just have to borrow that one day!


If you are going to walk in, dress neat. Plain pants, a shirt, I'd suggest a tie too. Don't need a formal suit, don't need your pseudo-uniform from your CPL training. Jeans and a t-shirt is a no-no, same with shorts singlet and thongs (however, I know of one place up north where that's probably a better idea!).

Be polite to the front desk staff; you might actually be speaking to the CP, owner, their wife, someone senior etc.
A simple introduction and statement of why you have dropped in. Don't just give them your CV, ask if they will take it and pass it on and mention that if the CP would like to have a chat then you are more than willing to come back another time if they are too busy at the moment. CPs are busy and can't always chat when randoms drop in.

You are not entitled to a job, you have to earn it. There's going to be a lot of rejection on the way.
Don't BS anyone, work hard, be polite and friendly. Once you get that first job work your arse off. Future jobs up the ladder will be easier to get.

Don't go in first thing on a Monday morning whatever you do. Meetings are being held and everyone is too busy to see you, moods may not be the best either.

Thanks everyone. Will definitely take on board all the advice here. Special mention to Aussie bob & MagnumPI, the advice is much appreciated.

Gerry111, I appreciate your input. However, my lack of grammar in posts does not represent how I would attempt a formal resume for a job. This forum allows us to remain anonymous so I can definitely afford any lack of grammar in my posts, without any serious
repercussions.

Chief

So does that mean that when you think no one is watching, you don't have to give a sh*t?

Traffic, no it doesn't. However, when reading the posts on this forum or replying to posts I'm usually in between work or other commitments, so grammar can take a back seat.

I'm not going to nitpick on my own grammar on a post/forum. I have no obligation in that regard here, as long as I don't offend someone or post inappropriate content.

So, basically you need to put your scenario into context, even if no one is watching me here, does me "not giving a sh*t" (in terms of grammar) endanger, hurt, offend &/or cost someone money? No it does not because I'm not representing any of you as your employee & we all remain anonymous.

Back to my previous post, emphasising that it can be afforded here.

Chief.

Chief, take on board the good and discard the not so good. All the best luck anyway mate.

Not in the employing business, but would like to ask those that do how they regard the tats that some youth like to sport. Discreet OK? Full sleeve etc?

One recommendation that has not been mentioned so far, but usually is, is networking. Many a time an individual gains a position because a current pilot with the employer vouches for the applicant.

PS: liked Aussie Bob's confidence building tactic, a bit more civil than one chap who travelled the world and wandered up to women on the street and asked if he could fondle their breasts. Filmed the encounters, and didn't seem to get many knockbacks. OTOH, perhaps he just deleted the failed attempts.

About the CV, make sure it looks good. A photo is probably OK, make sure it's a good one. Spelling and grammar must be perfect. Have just the right amount of text on each page: no large white areas, nor densely packed with text. Not too short, nor any 20-page wonders. Use good quality paper. Never exaggerate or gild the lily in a CV. I get lots of CVs sent to me and I can (and do) trash >50% of them before I've finished the first page. I would cover all tattoos. And what magnumPI said. Good luck.

Megan, re tats, I have a natural aversion to them, but having had a bloke working for me who was heavily tattooed, and had long hair to boot, who was one of the best and most conscientious at his job, I had to overcome my prejudice. BUT, if I was applying for a job, I'd cover them up, because there's no guarantee that the CFI will have done so.

Buy this book, read it, then chuck it in the bin.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...nce-people.jpg

Give Uncle Bob's advice a go.