Applying for a new Pilot Opportunity? Here are our ‘Top Tips’ for a successful application!
Dive into this article designed to give you the tips you need for a successful application. We strongly recommend that you take the time to work through each of these tips before any application!
Have your logbook details ready!
Before you register with an agency or apply for a role, it is essential that you have your logbook up to date and your summary pages complete. This is important for two reasons;
- It makes the application process smoother for you!
- It ensures that whatever details you are asked for as part of the application process, that you have them to hand. Failure to have the correct details to hand might mean that you have to go and look them up and then start the application process again, or worse, that you input incorrect details as part of your application – this really annoys recruiters who rely on pilots to have their details correct from the get-go!
Consider your motivation for the role & for the company you are applying to
There really isn’t much point in applying for a role in a company that you are not motivated towards. Best case scenario, you make it through the selection and assessment process and possibly accept an offer of employment into a company that you want to leave shortly thereafter. More likely, you will not be able to convince a recruitment team that you are genuinely motivated for the position, and you will likely be unsuccessful.
“There really isn’t much point in applying for a role in a company that you are not motivated towards”
Do your research!
It is imperative that you complete thorough research on the company that you are applying to. Not just the factual information on that company, but also what makes them tick – their ethos and identity. This will enable you to evaluate your fit for the company and the role, and it will really help to convince a recruiter that you are motivated for the role – a ‘win win’. You can (and should) use this research in both your application e.g. CV and an interview.
Align your CV/application to the role
A ‘one size fits all’ CV can work, but in a highly competitive jobs market, it is unlikely to stand out against another application by a candidate who has really put the time and effort into creating a bespoke CV. Additionally, make sure that your hours and experience/qualifications section clearly evidence that you meet the entry criteria for the advertised role – failure to do this can mean that a recruiter may not be certain that you actually meet the entry criteria. Rather than take valuable time out to ask you, they may just bypass your CV. You should also ensure that your career history really evidences why you will be an asset in this specific role – e.g. flying A380’s around in the cruise probably wouldn’t evidence why you were the perfect fit for an airborne fire-fighting role for example…This will take time, but it is worth it! Check out our pilot CV services.
“A ‘one size fits all’ CV can work, but in a highly competitive jobs market, it is unlikely to stand out against another application by a candidate who has really put the time and effort into creating a bespoke CV.”
Be prepared for your assessment!
Failure to prepare for an assessment is a big no-no! You might think that a telephone interview is not that big a deal – it is! Likewise, for a formal panel interview, it is essential that you are prepared fully for this stage of the process with well thought out examples for the competency based (STAR) questions and an ability to evidence competencies to the very best of your ability at all stages of the interview. If the selection process also includes an assessment of your flying ability, then you must approach this with the highest degree of professionalism – recruiters will pay less regard to your ‘on paper’ experience than you think if you perform poorly at an assessment…Be prepared! Flight Deck Wingman offer interview and simulator assessment preparation services.
Read any instructions you are given (in both emails and attachments) VERY carefully!
Companies and recruitment agencies go to great trouble to try and ensure a smooth candidate journey, both for the recruiters and the candidates. It is essential that you take your time and read, and then re-read all any instructions you are given. For example, if you are asked to send in any of your documents and asked to name them ‘FirstName_LastName_LogbookSummary’, then ensure you do that – exactly! If you fail to do this, then not only will it increase the workload for the recruitment team, but it may decrease your chances of a successful application! It may also be an indication of poor professional standards…
Follow these steps and you really will be giving yourself the best chance of success with any pilot recruitment opportunity.
Good luck with your applications!
