The hiring process can be daunting, especially for eager student pilots fresh out of flight school who are ready to start their careers. But, it doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking experience. With proper preparation, pilots going through the hiring process can set themselves up for the best chance at acing their interviews for their dream job.
Pilot Preparation for the Hiring Process
Pilot preparation begins at flight school. Whether in a Part 141 program or a Part 61 program, students learn the knowledge and skills they need to not only ace the airline interview and hiring process but also carry them through each day of their career in aviation. During flight training and ground school, each student pilot works towards every license and rating needed to become a commercial airline pilot. That way, when it comes time for the hiring process, they can navigate it with confidence.
Pilot Resume Tips
Student pilots fresh out of flight school will be putting their pilot resume together for the first time. Because of extensive training and the amount of licenses and ratings acquired in flight school, there are plenty of options for adding “experience” to the resume that airlines are looking for.
A resume should be one page long. For new pilots, it should emphasize certifications and flight hours. Any professional experience used to gain flight hours could help you stand out during the hiring process. For example, if you are in flight school and need more flight hours towards your Airline Transport License, you could work as a Certified Flight Instructor. This helps gain real-world, aviation industry work experience while earning flight hours required for the final license before you can work for an airline.
Include your medical certificate. Every pilot working for an airline is required to have a medical certificate. ATP licensed pilots are required to have a First Class Medical Certificate. This can be highlighted in the resume to help check one more box needed to get hired.
Show your most recent flight experience. Being fresh out of flight school is a great time to highlight the fact that you have operated an aircraft in the last 30 days, 2 months, etc.
Pilot Interview Questions
To prepare for an airline interview, it’s important to anticipate which questions they may ask. Airlines don’t typically publish the questions that they ask pilots during hiring interviews. However, there are some common topics that are covered during interviews that can help pilots properly prepare.
Here are some sample pilot interview questions, based on topics commonly covered during the hiring process for airlines:
- Why do you want to fly for this airline?
- Tell me about your flying experience?
- Tell me about a time that something unexpected happened during a checkride. What did you learn from it?
- Walk me through speed restrictions above and below 10,000 feet.
- Explain your current aircraft’s systems, including engine type, electrical system, hydraulics, and pressurization.
- What are your personal weather minimums? How would you make a go/no-go decision?
- Read this specific METAR and TAF and explain the fuel requirements.
- Say your captain wants to continue an approach you believe is unstable. What would you do?
As you can see from the sample questions above, airlines can ask questions that include pilot-specific scenarios, technical questions to test your aeronautical knowledge, airline-specific questions, or standard hiring questions. Preparing for all types of interview questions is the best way to set yourself up for a successful interview.
Every airline may have different interview questions. Preparation for any type of question can help you answer all questions with confidence.
The Airline Interview Process
An airline interview consists of several phases or elements that reflect what is expected of a pilot, including:
- HR and behavioral assessment
- Technical knowledge assessment
- Practical knowledge assessment
- Background check and record review
Airline hiring begins with an application. Most airlines have an application portal in which pilots can apply for jobs online. Some airlines accepting applications online are:
- Delta Airlines: log into their careers search page to find pilot jobs
- United Airlines: different pages allow pilots to apply for different jobs. For example, apply to become a first officer here.
- Avelo Airlines: apply for all jobs online after searching through their job listing portal
These are only a few examples of submitting your application online. After submitting an application, potential candidates may receive an email or phone call contacting them for an interview. Those who are successful with their in-person interview will receive a Guaranteed Job Offer and complete a background check.
If the airline is interested after all these steps and wants to hire you to work as a pilot for their airline, they will contact you to begin their airline-specific training.
Are you interested in learning more about Superior Flight School? Contact their Admissions department by emailing admin@superiorflight.com to learn more about their flight training programs.