Getting The "First" Job as an Airline Pilot

Getting the “first” job as an airline pilot is not easy as student pilots think it is, especially if you are from the US, In the USA you need an ATPL license with a bachelor degree to get a job as a pilot with one of US based airlines, The first thing that you need to realize you are not the only unemployed pilot, there are thousands of unemployed pilots all around of the job and all of them are trying to get a job as an airline pilot so It’s competitive and hard but not impossible!

Apply, Apply, Apply and Apply again! There are thousands of pilots jobs all over the world from a Cessna 152 instructor to an a380 job position! apply to all of them but make sure that you meed the airlines” standards and requirements before applying. If your application rejected or not considered, don’t give up and apply again and again and again for different pilot jobs.

Prepare a good CV and a good cover letter! Having a good CV and a cover letter is important to get the job, you can use online websites to create your resume easily in minutes but personally I would not recommend any of them any of them! The HR department is “usually” responsible for applications and they are dealing with thousands of CV and applications so a poor CV is not acceptable

How can I write a good CV?

1 – Some aviation academies are offering student pilots courses how to write CVs and coverletters. If you have no idea how to write an aviation CV, It’s a good idea!

2 – If you know any former HRs or someone who handled CVs in his/her life! Ask him/her to help you

3 – Use a template and layout nobody else tried

Prepare for tests and assessments with the airline It’s up to the airline but mostly the airline invites you for Personality Test, ATPL Questions, Simulator Assessment, Numerical Reasoning, Group Exercise and Interview and Pilot Aptitude tests. Preparation websites and some books are useful to prepare for the assessments. Personality Test: This test might be face-to-face interview with a Psychiatrist or just might be a multiple-choice exam ATPL Questions: The best way to prepare for this test is, subscribe to an ATPL question bank and also read the book “Ace The Technical Pilot Interview”

Simulator Assessment: Usually, the airline invites you to a simulator session with an unexpected or expected scenario that you have to deal with Numerical Reasoning: The mathematics skills can we develop the way that you to gym to grow your muscles, all you need to do is “Practice!” Group Exercise : CRM skills is playing a big role here, the group exercise or group interview is a basically you are with 4-5 other candidates and the examiner would like to know how good you are in communicating with each other and how you react and solve a problem, The best way to prepare for this test is read as many articles about CRM as you can Pilot Aptitude tests: Aptitude tests are designed to test your natural aptitude and your brain capacity and eye-hand coordination. there are some websites and tools and exercises that you can use to prepare yourself for the Aptitude tests Interview: It’s one of most important part of your assessment with the airlines.

Tips for the Interview:

1- Wear a suit with tie, It doesn’t important to be expensive but I would recommend to choose your best suit

2 – Mock interviews is the key to know what to expect

3 – Know the airline and fleet and destinations and what they proud of and why do you want to apply for the airline?

4 – “Glassdoor” is useful website to know previous experiences of Interview candidates.

5 – Brush of your theoretical ATPL

Recommended books for Interview:

1 – Ace The Technical Pilot Interview

2 – Airline Pilot Selection and Interview Workbook: The Ultimate Insiders Guide

3 – The Complete Airline Pilot Interview Work Book: An Essential Tool for All Airline Pilots Attending an Interview

Failure is not an option!

1 – Do your best, that’s what you should focus of!

2 – Know what are you capable of and use that capability to get the job

3- Think smart and act hard rather than think hard and act smart!

4 – Always, have a backup plan