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 means that whatever details you’re asked for, you have them to hand. Failing to have the correct details ready might mean you have to go and look them up and start the application again, or worse, that you input incorrect details. This really annoys recruiters, who rely on pilots having their details correct from the get-go.
Consider your motivation for the role & for the company
There really isn’t much point applying for a role at a company you’re not motivated towards. Best case, you make it through the selection process and accept an offer somewhere you want to leave shortly afterwards. More likely, you won’t be able to convince a recruitment team that you’re genuinely motivated for the position, and you’ll 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’s imperative that you research the company you’re applying to thoroughly. Not just the factual information, but what makes them tick: their ethos and identity. This will help you evaluate your own fit for the company and the role, and it’ll really help convince a recruiter that you’re motivated. A win-win. You can, and should, use this research in both your application and your interview.
Align your CV and application to the role
A ‘one size fits all’ CV can work, but in a competitive jobs market it’s unlikely to stand out against an application from a candidate who’s really put the time and effort into creating a bespoke one. Make sure your hours and experience section clearly evidences that you meet the entry criteria for the advertised role. If you don’t, a recruiter may not be certain you actually qualify, and rather than take valuable time to ask you, they may simply bypass your CV.
You should also make sure your career history genuinely evidences why you’d be an asset in that specific role. Flying A380s around in the cruise probably wouldn’t evidence why you’re the perfect fit for an airborne fire-fighting role, for example. This takes time, but it’s worth it. If you’d like a hand, take a look at our Academy Application course for in-depth, self-paced training.
“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!
Failing to prepare for an assessment is a big no-no. You might think a telephone interview isn’t that big a deal. It is! Likewise, for a formal panel interview, it’s essential you’re fully prepared with well-thought-out examples for the competency-based (STAR) questions, and able to evidence competencies to the very best of your ability at every stage. If the selection process also includes an assessment of your flying, approach it with the highest degree of professionalism. Recruiters will pay less regard to your ‘on paper’ experience than you think if you perform poorly on the day. Be prepared! Flight Deck Wingman offers interview and simulator assessment preparation.
Read any instructions you’re given VERY carefully!
Companies and recruitment agencies go to great trouble to try to ensure a smooth candidate journey, for recruiters and candidates alike. It’s essential that you take your time to read, and then re-read, any instructions you’re given, in both emails and attachments. For example, if you’re asked to send in documents named ‘FirstName_LastName_LogbookSummary’, then do that exactly. If you don’t, not only will it increase the workload for the recruitment team, it may decrease your chances of a successful application. It may also be taken as 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!
