What happened to hard work?
who do you think should sweep the floor, the boss???
Well, I do, but otherwise it wouldn't get done 
There is no hard & fast answer to this perpetual dilemma, how to get started in the aviation industry. This week we'll be checking a young lad who walked in the door 3 weeks ago, and asked if he could wash our planes. He's scrubbed up well, is personable, and in the right place just as we need a back up pilot on traffic flights (fixed wing). The ton of resumes that we have on file from hopefuls have stayed in the cabinet: a hard call, but very few of them actually front up to show their face(s). Basically, it was refreshing not to have someone with the inevitable "here's my resume, please call me" concept, but instead a practical approach which caught me at the right time, and worked.
The idea of someone offering to pay to be employed is a mystery to me. And a poor reflection on the state of our industry
There is no hard & fast answer to this perpetual dilemma, how to get started in the aviation industry. This week we'll be checking a young lad who walked in the door 3 weeks ago, and asked if he could wash our planes. He's scrubbed up well, is personable, and in the right place just as we need a back up pilot on traffic flights (fixed wing). The ton of resumes that we have on file from hopefuls have stayed in the cabinet: a hard call, but very few of them actually front up to show their face(s). Basically, it was refreshing not to have someone with the inevitable "here's my resume, please call me" concept, but instead a practical approach which caught me at the right time, and worked.
The idea of someone offering to pay to be employed is a mystery to me. And a poor reflection on the state of our industry
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Charlie.
I probably wasn't that clear.
I actually got the job in 99 after about 6 months on the farm. I've done my 2000 in the bush and the job I mentioned last month was a city job posted on this forum.
I have discovered the reaction is slightly more encouraging if you walk in the door with 2000.
Mr selfish
Quite regularly for quite some time unfortunately. But I still love the kwackas
I probably wasn't that clear.
I actually got the job in 99 after about 6 months on the farm. I've done my 2000 in the bush and the job I mentioned last month was a city job posted on this forum.
I have discovered the reaction is slightly more encouraging if you walk in the door with 2000.
Mr selfish
Quite regularly for quite some time unfortunately. But I still love the kwackas
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Getting a job as a pilot is no different to getting any other job. As someone who has employed people both in and out of aviation there are unwritten rules whether you like it or not. I prefer people who are recommended to me by existing employees. I prefer people I have trained to those I have not. I prefer lots of qualifications to few qualifications. I prefer people who can spell and speak well. I prefer people who make an effort to dress up for an interview rather than rolling in late, chewing gum with no explanation or apology. No, he didn't get the job! I prefer people who are well rounded, have an opinion and won't agree with everything I say for the sake of it. I prefer people who are optimistic rather than whining about their lot.
I prefer people who make an effort. I was contacted recently by PM by a polite man through this forum, who although inexperienced has the right attitude. If he had sent me an unsolicited CV I would probably have ignored it but I was impressed enough to offer him an interview. We will see how that works out.
Interviews won't tell me everything I need to know. People who are rebels without a cause or too fanatical about anything probably won't get past that stage. If you don't know how to play the game, find out. Loyalty counts for a lot, people who flit from job to job are probably not what I need.
I hope this is taken the way it is intended. It may be 'A' Level bleeding obvious but I have seen plenty of poorly prepared people who apparently want a job but appear to have made no effort to market themselves or to find out anything about me or my company. Wear a tie not a 'T' shirt!
Chopperpilot47
I prefer people who make an effort. I was contacted recently by PM by a polite man through this forum, who although inexperienced has the right attitude. If he had sent me an unsolicited CV I would probably have ignored it but I was impressed enough to offer him an interview. We will see how that works out.
Interviews won't tell me everything I need to know. People who are rebels without a cause or too fanatical about anything probably won't get past that stage. If you don't know how to play the game, find out. Loyalty counts for a lot, people who flit from job to job are probably not what I need.
I hope this is taken the way it is intended. It may be 'A' Level bleeding obvious but I have seen plenty of poorly prepared people who apparently want a job but appear to have made no effort to market themselves or to find out anything about me or my company. Wear a tie not a 'T' shirt!
Chopperpilot47
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Pay them more than the industry standard and then some. Keep them informed. Treat them properly and always be polite. Never raise your voice, listen and explain. In other words be a good manager, involve people with what is happening and tell them the truth.
Sounds easy doesn't it? It is much more difficult than being an uncaring arse. Everyone likes to be stroked now and then. It amazes me some people are still in business the way they treat their customers and staff.
Chopperpilot47
Sounds easy doesn't it? It is much more difficult than being an uncaring arse. Everyone likes to be stroked now and then. It amazes me some people are still in business the way they treat their customers and staff.
Chopperpilot47
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Thanks Lads
This is good stuff, informed posts
and to the point.
As I have read on this thread there
is more than one way to skin a cat
( or get a start in aviation )
But there seems to be a couple of things
that a possible employer would like to see.
That you are well presented,
personable and and professional
with clients, the machines and others
that you might work with.
I tried a few ways to get a job.
Driving around the country and
meeting anyone who had even
looked at a helicopter. The response
ranged from "sorry mate but good luck"
to
"You wannabie should get a Bloody Bus
there is so many of you"
To
"f@%k off a$$hole"
This is the first industry where I had to
ask more than twice for a job.
So I picked my self up and saved up
and tried another way, and became a
hangar rat. Now before you guys start
yelling SCAB. It was the only way at the time
that I could show someone that I COULD WORK.
I was not a slave
It was my choice and I could have left at any time.
It was not a one way street they showed me
basic maintance, I got any ferry flights that came up
and most importantly I meet some really nice
people who have bent over backwards to help
me get a job (thanks Luke and Mark)
Now I employed as a line pilot with 600hrs
and wonder where I would LIKE to go next.
I was not the only one doing it this way and
I saw throats get cut but I also made mates
that will last a life time.
I like to think that I did not f**k anyone over
and I got my job though HARD WORK
and not by cutting throats or bribing someone
or get daddy to call his mates.
Anyway enough ranting
I am of to the pub
anyone want a beer?
Cheers Mogg
This is good stuff, informed posts
and to the point.
As I have read on this thread there
is more than one way to skin a cat
( or get a start in aviation )
But there seems to be a couple of things
that a possible employer would like to see.
That you are well presented,
personable and and professional
with clients, the machines and others
that you might work with.
I tried a few ways to get a job.
Driving around the country and
meeting anyone who had even
looked at a helicopter. The response
ranged from "sorry mate but good luck"
to "You wannabie should get a Bloody Bus
there is so many of you"
To"f@%k off a$$hole"
This is the first industry where I had to
ask more than twice for a job.
So I picked my self up and saved up
and tried another way, and became a
hangar rat. Now before you guys start
yelling SCAB. It was the only way at the time
that I could show someone that I COULD WORK.
I was not a slave
It was my choice and I could have left at any time.
It was not a one way street they showed me
basic maintance, I got any ferry flights that came up
and most importantly I meet some really nice
people who have bent over backwards to help
me get a job (thanks Luke and Mark)
Now I employed as a line pilot with 600hrs
and wonder where I would LIKE to go next.
I was not the only one doing it this way and
I saw throats get cut but I also made mates
that will last a life time.
I like to think that I did not f**k anyone over
and I got my job though HARD WORK
and not by cutting throats or bribing someone
or get daddy to call his mates.
Anyway enough ranting
I am of to the pub
anyone want a beer?
Cheers Mogg
Last edited by Mogg; 16th Mar 2004 at 05:05.
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We are fairly small at the moment, on the rotary side we have 3 full time CFI's today, perhaps another at the weekend, and two part timers who are available when we need them.The business is growing particularly from Europe so I hope to have 5 Bell 47's and 5 full time CFI's over the next few months. After that, who knows? It is going the right way at the moment.
Regards,
Chopperpilot 47
Regards,
Chopperpilot 47
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Hi Mogg
Well done mate for getting your job but how did you manage to live with out pay I would if I could afford to hang arround and polish the A/Cs but the wolf at the door need feeding before I can venture out to do the operators tour.(again)
I would agree this is the first time I have had to ask more that once for a job and it has suprised me a little
again well done best of luck
Regards
Bravo 99 (AJB)
Well done mate for getting your job but how did you manage to live with out pay I would if I could afford to hang arround and polish the A/Cs but the wolf at the door need feeding before I can venture out to do the operators tour.(again)
I would agree this is the first time I have had to ask more that once for a job and it has suprised me a little
again well done best of luck
Regards
Bravo 99 (AJB)
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99,
It must now be obvious to you that being a qualified pilot is simply not enough. Most employers are looking for more. Companies want ambassadors, people who reflect well and promote the right image for the company. Yes, they want the flying job to be done well and safely but the punter in the back wants to be treated well for the amount of money they are paying. I think in most cases they get that but pilots looking for work have to play the game.
I don't know what you have done to look for work but networking is much more important than spreading CV's all over the place. As I have previously said you need to be smart, articulate, interested and to fit the company image. I think confidence is a good start.
I feel for people who have spent a lot of money but jobs are open to a few and it is usually to be found through recommendation, not cold calling. That almost never works.
Good luck,
Chopperpilot47
It must now be obvious to you that being a qualified pilot is simply not enough. Most employers are looking for more. Companies want ambassadors, people who reflect well and promote the right image for the company. Yes, they want the flying job to be done well and safely but the punter in the back wants to be treated well for the amount of money they are paying. I think in most cases they get that but pilots looking for work have to play the game.
I don't know what you have done to look for work but networking is much more important than spreading CV's all over the place. As I have previously said you need to be smart, articulate, interested and to fit the company image. I think confidence is a good start.
I feel for people who have spent a lot of money but jobs are open to a few and it is usually to be found through recommendation, not cold calling. That almost never works.
Good luck,
Chopperpilot47
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I dont disagree with you it it time to walk the walk again and knock on doors i will keep you guys posted in the next few weeks after the trips out and the final trip to the shoe shop to replace the foot gear about to be used
Regards
Bravo 99 (AJB)
Regards
Bravo 99 (AJB)
