Resumes
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Resumes
I recently advertised for a jet FO (P-2) vacancy in my charter company. Based on reviewing about 250 resumes in four days I have some comments and recommendations to aspiring professional pilots from an employers point of view.
1. Submit a resume (CV) in a recognized aviation format. If you are not familiar with this look at www.climbto350.com and click on resume sample. This is a very good format for this industry. There are other similar formats, but this examples gives you the idea. Do not type up a "resume" as an e-mail in ten minutes and send it on. This will not be considered. Follow the employers instructions as to attachments, formats (Word, Word Perfect (tm)), faxes, or mailing.
2. Remember, a resume (CV) is a "snapshot" of you, not an autobiography. One or two pages will suffice. You can fill in the blanks during an interview. Also, do not leave time gaps in your resume. This gives the impression that you are hiding something.
3. On your resume cite the position you are applying for. Example: OBJECTIVE: First Officer position with Acme Flying Service. It is more impressive if you list the name of each company you are applying to, rather than a "generic" resume that says "Professional Pilot position."
3. DO ALWAYS submit a "cover letter" with your resume. Highlight your background and experience on this one-page letter. Trust me, a good cover letter stands out and leaves a good "first impression." You only get one shot at this!
4. Be reasonably accurate with your flight times. When an applicant says he has 3,000 hours TT, 1000 Multi, 200 Instrument, 100 Simulator, 150 night, this is not believable. Either the applicant is guessing, is lazy, or is dreaming. However, it is not necessary to list your times as 3251.6 TT, 117.4 Night, leave out the 1/10's.
5. Do not apply for a position that lists minimum hours, unless you meet the minimum requirements, or are reasonably close. If the minimums are 1,500 hours TT, do not apply if you have only 300 hours.
6. Again, read all of the minimum requirements closely. If you do not significantly meet the minimums, you are wasteing the employers time and getting your hopes up needlessly.
7. If the advertisement says "no calls please," do not telephone. You are burning your bridges.
8. If you have the option to e-mail a resume, that is the best option from my point of view. Faxed copies are often very hard to read. Mailed copies are the best choice if this is practical. I used to "overnight" my resumes. I found that an employer takes you more seriously if you go to the trouble and expense to use this method.
9. Unless an employer asks for copies of your licenses, medical, radio license, etc., do not send them with your resume. These will be asked for if you get an interview.
10. If you mail (post) a resume, do insert a pre-addressed and stamped post-card which an employer will mail back to you indicating that your resume/cover letter was received.
11. Proof read your resume and cover letter. Then, have a friend do the same. Then do it again. Again, "first impressions."
There are exceptions to every rule. The above are my thoughts after doing hiring for two different air carriers. Follow the instructions given by each employer as they may different from my recommendations.
Some countries may have different customs, but I believe the above recommendations will work in most areas with a majority of employers.
Fly safe and good luck.
[ 16 August 2001: Message edited by: Check 6 ]
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: Check 6 ]
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: Check 6 ]
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: Check 6 ]
1. Submit a resume (CV) in a recognized aviation format. If you are not familiar with this look at www.climbto350.com and click on resume sample. This is a very good format for this industry. There are other similar formats, but this examples gives you the idea. Do not type up a "resume" as an e-mail in ten minutes and send it on. This will not be considered. Follow the employers instructions as to attachments, formats (Word, Word Perfect (tm)), faxes, or mailing.
2. Remember, a resume (CV) is a "snapshot" of you, not an autobiography. One or two pages will suffice. You can fill in the blanks during an interview. Also, do not leave time gaps in your resume. This gives the impression that you are hiding something.
3. On your resume cite the position you are applying for. Example: OBJECTIVE: First Officer position with Acme Flying Service. It is more impressive if you list the name of each company you are applying to, rather than a "generic" resume that says "Professional Pilot position."
3. DO ALWAYS submit a "cover letter" with your resume. Highlight your background and experience on this one-page letter. Trust me, a good cover letter stands out and leaves a good "first impression." You only get one shot at this!
4. Be reasonably accurate with your flight times. When an applicant says he has 3,000 hours TT, 1000 Multi, 200 Instrument, 100 Simulator, 150 night, this is not believable. Either the applicant is guessing, is lazy, or is dreaming. However, it is not necessary to list your times as 3251.6 TT, 117.4 Night, leave out the 1/10's.
5. Do not apply for a position that lists minimum hours, unless you meet the minimum requirements, or are reasonably close. If the minimums are 1,500 hours TT, do not apply if you have only 300 hours.
6. Again, read all of the minimum requirements closely. If you do not significantly meet the minimums, you are wasteing the employers time and getting your hopes up needlessly.
7. If the advertisement says "no calls please," do not telephone. You are burning your bridges.
8. If you have the option to e-mail a resume, that is the best option from my point of view. Faxed copies are often very hard to read. Mailed copies are the best choice if this is practical. I used to "overnight" my resumes. I found that an employer takes you more seriously if you go to the trouble and expense to use this method.
9. Unless an employer asks for copies of your licenses, medical, radio license, etc., do not send them with your resume. These will be asked for if you get an interview.
10. If you mail (post) a resume, do insert a pre-addressed and stamped post-card which an employer will mail back to you indicating that your resume/cover letter was received.
11. Proof read your resume and cover letter. Then, have a friend do the same. Then do it again. Again, "first impressions."
There are exceptions to every rule. The above are my thoughts after doing hiring for two different air carriers. Follow the instructions given by each employer as they may different from my recommendations.
Some countries may have different customs, but I believe the above recommendations will work in most areas with a majority of employers.
Fly safe and good luck.
[ 16 August 2001: Message edited by: Check 6 ]
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: Check 6 ]
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: Check 6 ]
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: Check 6 ]
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Thanks for taking the time and trouble. 
WWW/Scroggs any chance of this going in the archive for further use?
[ 16 August 2001: Message edited by: Delta Wun-Wun ]
[ 16 August 2001: Message edited by: Delta Wun-Wun ]
WWW/Scroggs any chance of this going in the archive for further use?
[ 16 August 2001: Message edited by: Delta Wun-Wun ]
[ 16 August 2001: Message edited by: Delta Wun-Wun ]
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You are all welcome. MIG29MK, I suspect the resume sample on www.climbto350.com is missing because they are in the process of updating their website with new features/services.
Fly safe!
Fly safe!
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Check 6
Have you not considered the fact that you have just made your job an awful lot harder? How on earth are you going to sift the wheat from the chaff now that all the wanabees are going to send perfect CV's! Oh well, it may create an 'assistant to your assistants' post!
PP
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: Pilot Pete ]
Have you not considered the fact that you have just made your job an awful lot harder? How on earth are you going to sift the wheat from the chaff now that all the wanabees are going to send perfect CV's! Oh well, it may create an 'assistant to your assistants' post!
PP
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: Pilot Pete ]
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Pilot Pete - How true. Did I create a monster here? LOL. After reading more than 250 CV's last week, I thought I would share my thoughts while they are fresh. I hope others will contribute to my suggestions as certainly I am not the last word on resumes.
Cheers, fly safe!
Cheers, fly safe!
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This is a great post! The advice given here should see any new-guy well on his way. One small thing though: point number 5 is absolulute TRASH! Many pilots; myself included, can tell stories of the right place at the right time. Having personally sifted through 1000's of CV's, sat on the selection board, and interviewed pilots, my reccomendation would be: you don't win the lottery without buying a ticket!!! Even if you don't qualify; apply. You never know your luck.
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126.9 - thank you for your comments. I did not word #5 very well, so I just edited it. I agree with the premise "nothing ventured, nothing gained." If the applicant is close, I would certainly consider the resume. What I was trying to say is 1,500 hours vs. 300 hours is not close enough. Another employer may view this differently. As I said, this is my opinion and your input is appreciated also.
Buona serata
Fly safe
Buona serata
Fly safe
