Resumes and Cover Letters Redux

[Ville]

What do you guys think about including M.A. and B.A. after your name at the top of the resume? Also, do people put CPL Multi IFR after their name?
Thanks

[xsbank]

Modern days are seeing some changes but traditionally you only put a post-grad degree behind your name, so MA would be correct. However, if you are looking for a bush or beginner job, the degree after your name may be seen as pretentious and might be a detriment. Definitely do NOT put your flying credentials behind your name because despite your pride in accomplishing those goals, they are not recognised credentials nor are we considered professionals yet so we cannot do the pilot equivalent of P.Eng. Maybe once we get a college?

[Ville]

Thanks xsbank. Also, appreciate your thread in general. I've been tailoring my resume all day and your examples have been really helpful. I will also heed your advice regarding the degrees.

[xsbank]

I'm glad this stuff is useful - just remember it is only one of our tools to find a job. Probably more than any other industry, personal appearances are important; apply for every job that you WANT, not just those that you think you can qualify for. That's saved me in a few career moves in the past.

[Ville]

back to working on my resume... I saw you mentioned including your licence number in your resume. Can I ask why is that? Can they tell something by my licence number I should know about? (i.e. how much I can BS about my qualifications joking!)
Another question: Someone said not to bother applying for a position you are not qualified for. Let's say they want 1000TT for FO's and you have 250. Could you send them a resume saying you understand you aren't qualified, but you are willing to put in your dues to eventually move up, or is this just wasting everyone's time?
Thanks again!

[xsbank]

I think that a license is so intrinsic to what we do that it adds a solidity to a resume - you need to do what you think works for you.

I got 2 jobs in my history that "I was not qualified for." I happen to think that anyone can be qualified for any position, given the willingness of the trainer and the ability to absorb by the candidate. A lot of times the employer doesn't really know what he wants besides a warm body to do the work, so why not give him more choice?

Bottom line and to repeat myself, there are no rules for this, do what works best for you.

[Ville]

Ok, sounds good. Thanks again for your help. On to the cover letter...

[GTODD]

What do you guys think about including M.A. and B.A. after your name at the top of the resume?

I recall in university we were forced to take a technical writing course. In this course we spent a lot of time “learning” how to write effective resumes and cover letters. I recall the instructor stressing quite adamantly that yes you should include B.A. or B.Sc. after your name once you finished your undergraduate degree.

I guess what frustrates me is that this guy got paid a lot of money to just essentially give us his opinion on how a resume should look. I don’t think there is an answer that is always right for this question; it just depends on what the person who will be reading it thinks.

[Dhc6to8]

Hi XS et al,
Thanks for posting all this valuable information. I have always limited my resume to one page, but after reading this I will have another look at what I have put together - and get it all sorted! The funny thing is, when I got to 500 hours total time, I never believed I would reach 1000 hours, when I pushed 5000 hours I still couldn't believe it... now that I am within a go/around or two of 10000 hours I still can't believe it! But the strangest thing is that now that I have the heavy turboprop command hours, medium jet command and a logbook that weights in with 85% PIC I am having problems finding a new job.... I can remember being told when I first started out that jobs would be easier to find once I had some time under my belt! Ja, right!! I guess it is much like fishing... if they ain't bitting, change the bait!
6to8

[supertramp737]

I got 2 jobs in my history that "I was not qualified for."

Is that possible, regardless of insurance requirements?

[xsbank]

I'm living proof...

[bubby]

I have close to 5000 hrs and 20 years in the military. I'm trying to wrap my head around the resume thing. Do I just say 1990 to present - military pilot. And then list all the positions/jobs held including duties and responsibilities? Alternatively, should I break the dates down more based on postings from one "job" to another, including the duties, responsibilities and achievements. Last question...would you include simulator and instructional time? Should I also break out the small amount of civilian time from my military totals?

Thanks in advance

[nortont]

When rounding hours for your resume.

How many hrs (5's, 10's) should you go round up too ??

[xsbank]

If you are brand new, be more rigid (67.8 hours 172 or 68?). Otherwise, use logic: 5,283.2 hours Beav. or 5300?

Keep it simple.

[Panama Jack]

Great post xsbank, nice of you to take the time to post it.

The last two pilot resumes I looked at were absolutely painful!

Also agree with ragbagflyer about the .pdf conversions.

[WileyCoyote]

Also, OpenOffice allows you to export your document as a .pdf. (And its free)

[WileyCoyote]

Another question I had when looking for an entry level job was should I include other related skills? For example, I grew up doing farm work and construction, and fixing anything with an engine. I have a lot of skills unrelated to flying that would probably look great for a float job. How should I include these on my resume?

[Speedbrakes]

Hi all,

This is a great thread!

Couple questions. Is it a good idea to mention the types of aircraft you've flown? I've got time on the DH7 and the DH6 and a few different other light aircraft.

Also I don't have my atpl yet but I've written the exams and now that I have a type rating on the DH7 my atpl is technically frozen so could I say "Frozen ATPL" instead of saying "ATPL Exams Written"? I only ask because from my experience having a "frozen atpl" isn't too common in Canada.

Thanks for the feedback,

Cheers,
Speedbrakes

[goleafsgo]

If I'm applying for a ramp to pilot position would it be better to send my "pilot" resume that lists all my hours, or send my "generic" resume that lists the ramp jobs that I've had in detail but doesn't include my hours or anything?

[xsbank]

I stole this from Time and I think there is some really good stuff in here, even though some of it is company-client not just resume-interview:

"Career Strategies
10 Ways You Should Never Describe Yourself To A Potential Client or Employer
When other people use these words to describe your talents, it's OK. When you do it, you just sound like a pompous jerk.
By Jeff Haden | June 12, 2012 | 1

Picture this: You meet someone new. “What do you do?” he asks.

“I’m an architect,” you say.

“Oh, really?” he answers. “Have you designed any buildings I’ve seen?”

“Maybe,” you reply. “We did the new library at the university…”

“Oh wow,” he says. “I’ve seen it. That’s a beautiful building…”

And you’re off. Maybe he’s a potential client, maybe not… but either way you’ve made a great impression.

You sound awesome.

Now picture this: You meet someone new. “What do you do?” he asks.

“I’m a passionate, innovative, dynamic provider of architectural services who uses a collaborative approach to create and deliver outstanding customer experiences.”

And he’s off, never to be seen again… because you sound like a pompous ass.

Do you–whether on your website, or more likely on social media accounts–describe yourself differently than you do in person?

Do you use hacky clichés and overblown superlatives and breathless adjectives?

Do you write things about yourself you would never have the nerve to actually say?

If so, it’s time for a change.

(MORE: How Much Does the Big Boss Really Matter? A Partial Defense of Jamie Dimon)

Here are some words that are great when used by other people to describe you, but you should never use to describe yourself:

“Motivated.”

Check out Chris Rock’s response (not safe for work or the politically correct) to people who say they take care of their kids. Then substitute the word “motivated.” Never take credit for things you are supposed to do–or be.

“Authority.”

If you have to say you’re an authority, you aren’t. Show your expertise instead. “Presenter at SXSW” or “Delivered TED Talk at Long Beach 2010″ indicates a level of authority. Unless you can prove it, “social media marketing authority” just means you spend a ton of time on Twitter.

“Global provider.”

The vast majority of businesses can sell goods or services worldwide; the ones that can’t–like restaurants–are obvious. (See?) Only use “global provider” if that capability is not assumed or obvious; otherwise you just sound like a really small company trying to appear really big.

“Innovative.”

Most companies claim to be innovative. Most people claim to be innovative. Most are not. (I’m not.) That’s okay, because innovation isn’t a requirement for success.

If you are innovative, don’t say it. Prove it. Describe the products you’ve developed. Describe the processes you’ve modified. Give us something real so your innovation is unspoken but evident… which is always the best kind of evident to be.

“Creative.”

See particular words often enough and they no longer make an impact. “Creative” is one of them. (Go to LinkedIn and check out some profiles; “creative” will appear in the majority.)

“Creative” is just one example. Others include extensive, effective, proven, dynamic, influential, team player, collaborative… some of those terms truly may describe you, but since they’re also being used to describe everyone else they’ve lost their impact.

(MORE: Bubba Watson helps to re-energize golf)

“Curator.”

Museums have curators. Libraries have curators. Tweeting links to stuff you find interesting doesn’t make you a curator… or an authority or a guru.

“Passionate.”

Say you’re incredibly passionate about incorporating an elegant design aesthetic in everyday objects and–to me at least–you sound a little scary. Same if you’re passionate about developing long-term customer solutions. Try focus, concentration, or specialization instead. Save the passion for your loved one.

“Unique.”

Fingerprints are unique. Snowflakes are unique. You are unique–but your business probably isn’t. Don’t pretend to be, because customers don’t care about unique; they care about “better.” Show how you’re better than the competition and in the minds of customers you will be unique.

”Guru.”

People who try to be clever for the sake of being clever are anything but. Don’t be a self-proclaimed ninja, sage, connoisseur, guerilla, wonk, egghead… it’s awesome when your customers affectionately describe you in that way, but when you do it it’s apparent you’re trying way too hard.

“Incredibly…”

Check out some random bios and you’ll find plenty of further-modified descriptors: “Incredibly passionate,” “profoundly insightful,” “extremely captivating…” isn’t it enough to be insightful or captivating? Do you have to be incredibly passionate?

If you must use over-the-top adjectives to describe yourself, at least spare us the further modification. Trust us; we already get it.

Jeff Haden learned much of what he knows about business and technology as he worked his way up in the manufacturing industry. Everything else he picks up from ghostwriting books for some of the smartest leaders he knows in business. @jeff_haden


Read more: http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/10-ways-y ... z1xcurvCtA"