Job seeking: the pilot resume

We live in a changing world and these days a job interview by telephone and sending a resume or CV by email is the way an increasing number of employers are doing business. Some employers have prospective employees fill out an on-line application form. If nothing else it keeps interview times down and means that the employer can vet applicants outside the hours of 9 to 5.

The question then arises do you as the commercial pilot seeking a flying position have an up to date CV that can be sent off with minimum delay? Do you have a CV at all?

For a new commercial pilot or a pilot who has some experience it is important to have a CV and to update it at regular intervals. Indeed some pilots keep their CV on a memory stick that they carry around with them.

This then brings us to the question of just what do you put in a CV. There is no set layout for a pilot’s CV and drawing one up is not a study item for the budding commercial pilot.

There are some items that should be included in a CV. Your name should be at the top of page one along with a contact address, phone number and email address. You may also include a permanent address if you are living away from home.

If you are looking for a first or second job it can be good to have a career objective heading as the introduction to the CV and then follow that with a short statement as to what you are seeking. An example could be to say that you are seeking an ‘Entry-level pilot position with Scenic Airways with an opportunity for advancement’. It can be good to spell out your flying qualifications, aircraft flown and hours logged. Be brief. Next comes your work history. A good way to lay this out is to put that heading on the left side of the page and then have your work history in blocks on the right starting with the most recent followed by earlier items. Only a few lines per each previous position. Give the main points only. The prospective employer wants to skim read only. Help him with just the bare facts. No froth. Next comes the heading of miscellaneous to give any extra worthwhile information followed by the note that references and referees available on request. Have copies of your references available for an interview but always retain the originals. Referees should always be asked beforehand if they are prepared to support you.

Some does and don’ts to remember about the CV. Keep it concise, two pages maximun. If being printed out use quality white paper. Does it visually grab you? Does it highlight the greatest benefits of you the applicant for the particular job that you are seeking? Do they need to know your educational track record? Do they need to know your date of birth? Do you want them to know? Do not put the word ‘resume’ on the resume. Make sure that all the flight times shown add up correctly.

Do know something about the firm that you are applying to and the names that matter. This writer recalls having seen a new grade 3 instructor walk into the flying school to drop off a CV to the ‘Chief Flying Instructor’. He then asked what sort of aircraft we used for training. He had been training on the same airport for three years and did not know those key items.

Please, no smart phone message bank introductions or email addresses.

Be prepared to fine-tune your CV over time so that it looks good and flows. Read other pilot’s CVs for examples of layout and style.
This writer is aware of only one local publication that covers pilot CVs. The 1995 book ‘Commercial Pilot, the first 500 hours’ by John Radge is out of print but can now be read online. Two books from the USA cover CVs. Job Hunting for Pilots by Gregory Brown and Flight Guide for Success by Captain Karen M Kahn.

If doing a tour of prospective employers a one page hand-out CV can also be useful. It must include your name and contact details. When listing a break down of your hours once again do make sure all the hours add up correctly.

If you want that job it pays to take the time to create a good CV, one that gets the interest of a prospective employer, one that sells you, one that says talk with this applicant. Good luck!

Contact Dave by email at [email protected]