Resume/cover letter

springjob · Post by **springjob** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:38 pm

Did anybody use the resume/cover letter service of PCC, and if yes, what do you think?
Did it help? Did it make a difference?
Just starting to wonder what do I do wrong...

Thanks for any input

twinpratts · Post by **twinpratts** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 6:44 pm

Think of this... how many times do you think they change the format between pilots? (ie you and everybody else who pays the $$$ get to have the same resume! think of it as being members in a little club

)
Save your $$.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:20 pm

Pratts, you should be the new spoksmen for ING direct...

Pugster · Post by **Pugster** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:36 pm

I've heard nothing but good things, but I tend to agree with Pratts myself.

I'd rather have a great looking resume that isn't EXACTLY the same format as half of the others in the pile.

As far as their interview preps go, I've heard extremely good things.

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:09 pm

King Air Guy wrote:Pratts, you should be the new spoksmen for ING direct...

That guy's accent is cool! I wish I had an accent. Then I could say, "You want to invest in oranges!"

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:54 pm

Doesn't matter if you pay or not. everyones cover letters are the same. Everyone is hard working, dependable, and would be an asset to the company.

chipmunk · Post by **chipmunk** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 6:12 am

I know there's some great resume advice floating around this site somewhere, from about a year back maybe. Do a search (don't just put in 'resume' - you'll come up with 15 pages of topics!) and if you have some time to weed through things, you should come up with it.

Bottom line, keep the resume to one page. Tailor it, and the cover letter, to the prospective employer - it's quite obvious if you have just a generic one that goes out to everyone - take the extra time to write "Dear Mr. Smith" instead of "Dear Sir" etc.

And use spell check and get someone to check it for GRAMMAR!!!!!!

springjob · Post by **springjob** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 6:28 am

Thanks a lot for these advices.

I was wondering if you guys would'nt mind sending me your résumé/cover letter, it would give me some ideas. Of course you can remove your name and company names.

Those who would not mind PM me please.

Edo · Post by **Edo** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:29 am

why bother with a cover letter?

most people reading a resume push too much paper already. Just have a header with contact info and then go right into flight times, past employers keep it short.

maybe it seems lazy, but reall what does a cover letter actually do? other than cost more to fax/mail/print?

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:49 am

I gave up on cover letters years ago and still seem to get calls. Yes a PPC or two helps, but all cover letters I've read seem to say the same stuff, and all end up in the same place (filed under G).

As for paying for a resume service, how much do they charge?

springjob · Post by **springjob** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:08 am

That is pretty interesting. So you guys think that the cover letter is waste of trees. Is there anybody responsible of hiring who would confirm that?

PCC charges 150 $ for a resume and a cover letter (US)

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 8:53 am

springjob wrote:That is pretty interesting. So you guys think that the cover letter is waste of trees. Is there anybody responsible of hiring who would confirm that?

PCC charges 150 $ for a resume and a cover letter (US)

Unless you can put something different that says something about why you really want to work for my company I toss all resumes. As I said before, they all spew the same song and dance about being hardworking and blah blah blah. Find out what my company does. Do not call and ask because I don't have time for that. Do a little leg work. If you can convince me in a cover letter that you actually know something about the job your applying for you're already miles ahead of anyone else. To many guys out there just mass send out resumes. These can be spotted a mile away. I have no interest in hiring someone who has no idea where they want to go.

Wind Ryder · Post by **Wind Ryder** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:06 am

They all end up pretty much the same. Save the $$ for stamps and do a search on the net for resumes and cover letters. The letter is a very brief introduction the actual resume is the important part.

springjob · Post by **springjob** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:55 am

Dust Devil:

I can understand why one could be annoyed with mass application, but on the other hand there are 100's of companies in Canada who have the same potential for an applicant. The real difference is the location!
Of course you cannot write that what is really interesting with your company is that my wife has a job in this town!
And it is the same with candidates...there are a bunch of applicants equally qualified right!
Than it is more something like how is the person going to fit in the team...
That is why I think that it is hard to expect more than generic application. It will get more specific after a conversation with the potential employee.

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 1:08 pm

springjob wrote:That is pretty interesting. So you guys think that the cover letter is waste of trees. Is there anybody responsible of hiring who would confirm that?

PCC charges 150 $ for a resume and a cover letter (US)

Yes and Whoa Nelly!

I've never been responsible for the selection but I did help my last boss sort a few hundred resumes one time and all the cover letters were already in the garbage before I got there. You could write a mini cover letter on your one page resume if you really want to.

150 quid is way too much. I'd do it for a six pack of Kokanee.

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 8:21 pm

springjob wrote:Dust Devil:

I can understand why one could be annoyed with mass application, but on the other hand there are 100's of companies in Canada who have the same potential for an applicant. The real difference is the location!
Of course you cannot write that what is really interesting with your company is that my wife has a job in this town!
And it is the same with candidates...there are a bunch of applicants equally qualified right!
Than it is more something like how is the person going to fit in the team...
That is why I think that it is hard to expect more than generic application. It will get more specific after a conversation with the potential employee.

Don't really care if it's hard to expect that. I still toss all resumes unless they catch my eye. If someone writes me to say that they want to work for me because their wife lives in the city I'm based in then fine. Atleast I know the person actually is applying to my company. I can't speak for other operators but that's just the way it's done here.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 12:38 pm

Dust devil, what company do you work for?

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 1:21 pm

King Air Guy wrote:Dust devil, what company do you work for?

Why? You lookin for a job?

2low · Post by **2low** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 1:24 pm

I am. Could you please help me out?

Tube Driver · Post by **Tube Driver** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 1:32 pm

the heart and soul of a good resume/cover letter is not in the formatting but in the actual information it contains. As the saying goes you cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:08 pm

TooLow_Flaps wrote:I am. Could you please help me out?

NO!!

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:22 pm

I like to keep my options open, what type of machines do you opperate?

Springjob you asked about a resume, we'll here's mine (sort of). The format is not compatible from word but it will give you an idea. 1 page, short sweet and to the point. Names centered, all columns liner and centered, spelling and grammar correct. The resume will only get you the interview, the interview will get you the job, so no need to put your life story on paper and what courses you took, your grades and so on.

King air guy
1234- 45th ST S.W.
Calgary, AB T3E 1Y2
Home: (403) 123-4567; Cell: (403) 987-5342
kingairguy@hotmail.com

Job Objective: Pilot position

Summary of Qualifications:
 ATPL, 2-year diploma in aviation
 Managerial and training captain experience
 Worldwide ferry flight experience; Europe, Asia, Micronesia, Russia, Africa
 Extensive gravel, mountain, arctic and some desert experience
 Two-crew and single pilot IFR experience
 Current PPC(s) - BE 20, BE 10

Experience:
4075 hours total time
 3575 Total PIC
 3125Total Multi: 2725 Total Multi PIC
2625 Total Multi turbine
2325 Multi Turbine PIC

Employment History:
 April 2003 to present Kenn Borek Air LTD; Training Captain BE20/10, scheduled air service, charters, medevac and international survey flying for the United States Military (Army and Navy)

 July 2002 to April 2003 BAR X H; Captain BE 20, medevac and charters

 Aug 2000 to APRL 2002 Voyageur Airways LTD; Base Captain\Training Captain BE 20/10, dedicated air ambulance

 Dec 99 to Aug 2000 Perimeter Flight Training; Multi IFR flight instructor, single pilot IFR charter\bag run pilot

Education:
 Moncton Flight College, Moncton NB; completed multi instrument rating

 Graduate of the Career Academy School of Aviation, diploma program, Halifax International, NS; completed commercial and multi engine rating

 Truro flying club, instructor rating

Available immediately, will relocate, references available upon request

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:26 pm

After looking at it I realize it looks nothing like my resume really looks.

My name is centered, those squares are supposed to be billets, and my time break down doesn't flow instead it's lined up. Oh well you get the idea. That is the same basic Format I've used since day 1. I got it from a book called "the damn good resume guide". It's pretty handy.

Cheers.

springjob · Post by **springjob** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:36 am

A search in DD profile should answer these questions...

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:32 am

springjob wrote:A search in DD profile should answer these questions...

Exactly. just a wee bit of legwork. and that is just a wee bit