Feels like impossible to find an entry level pilot job...

[imapo16]

I've graduated from a pretty reputable aviation college program in summer 2020 with my Multi IFR and written IATRA, back when the pandemic was at its peak and it was literally impossible to find a pilot job. I'm continuously sending my resume literally to every possible option I see ,but I get no return at all... I'm probably certain I've sent over 500+ emails within the last 2 year and I got nothing. I've considered getting my instructor rating in the past but couldn't due to my financial situation and also don't feel like instructing is a good fit to me.

I'm not here to whine about not being to find a job. Instead, I wanted to see your guys opinion on what I can maybe focus on to improve my success rate on landing my first job. Especially the people who graduate at the same time as me. How did you cope with that? Were you able to find something afterwards or you're still looking for opportunities?

[digits_]

Go drive to companies and meet people.

[lownslow]

The last two years were stagnant af. This year will be better and is already starting to show it. My standard advice is to look at small-ish companies based in towns where the highway ends, do a little research to see which are reputable, and apply to those. Don’t be afraid to do a little ramping at a small shop; typically what I’ve seen is that someone will work the ramp for a year or more at a company with pressurized turbine multis compared to months or weeks at a shop with Cessna 206s or Navajos. Again, make sure they’re reputable.

Oh, and the worst part is that any advice you get is based on past experience in an industry that is constantly changing so it may not be valid for today, next month, or ever.

[altiplano]

An email from another no time wannabe doesn't get too far at most companies.

Have you followed up with a phone call? A visit? Why should they give you a break vs. the other 100 wannabes that emailed them last month? You are not offering them anything at this point.

First job I got because I went and met the CP, and then followed up month after month after month.

Next job I got because I did a road trip to small town operators and hand delivered a resume to the CP that ended up hiring me.

Next job I got because I had a few friends there - networking is important - and I called the CP and we talked.

An email (or snail mail) resume and nothing else never got me the job.

[Bede]

When you apply, figure out why you want to work for THAT company. Pay particular attention to the flying they do and why that appeals to you.

When they ask you why you want to work for them, the last thing you want to say is that you just need a bit more PIC for your ATPL. (Seen it)

[PostmasterGeneral]

Emails go straight into the trash bin. Get in your car and drive to these places with your resume in hand and a good work ethic. Nobody owes you anything. “Reputable aviation college” doesn’t mean anything. There are hundreds of other low time guys just like you with the same credentials. They are getting hired because they’re showing up and meeting people, while your resume doesn’t even get looked at.

[triplebarrel]

there are multiple ways. I didn't read any replies on this thread so sorry for repeating anything there

Depending on company size you may call. Also if they say don't call on the ad then. don't call. Go to PCC to find out the chief pilot name or OPS manager name. When you call you gotta get past your first barrier, the receptionist. Instead of stuttering and being all nervous and shit say "good morning please put me through to Mike (cp, ops managers name) Don't sit there and have a picnic and say how are you. If you say "put me through" you sound important and she will probably wanna do it.

Then be like hey I'm very interested in working with your company I have 200 hours and am willing to work ramp are you looking for people? If by chance you actually get through don't sit there and mess around. Get to the point.

If you've already sent your resume to her/him then say hey I applied to be a rampie/pilot job 1 month ago are you still looking or has that position been filled?

My buddy got a job beginning of the pandemic by calling north star HR and his resume went to the top of the list. He spent 17 months on the ramp now he's a DC3 co-pilot. He said pilots at North Star Air are only spending 4-6 months on the ramp NOW. Things are moving buddy whatever you do, do it quick.

You try Air Tindi? ops manager there is really nice try calling her directly.

For me, I applied at my current job then no call for 3 weeks. Then one day I was having lots of coffee so I said @#$! it I called him, said put me through to Mike, I wasn't even nice lol. Then he talked to me for 27 minutes. I got lucky he really liked me and basically wanted to hire me. Then to break the ice I said so you want references at all? He said yes. I spent 3 hours calling all my references trying to get ahold of them cause now it was real. In addition, he's like ya no examiners or flight instructors as references. Then right before sending it in I said nope, I printed it and the next morning at 5 am drove 20 hours to hand it in personally.

I don't consider it a total success story because I kinda had the job before but he had no clue who I was or anything so coming in helped. I also got an email from him about 5 hours into my drive looking for the reference page LOL so ya that never happens. Nobody is gonna ask you for anything if you are the one begging for a job. But if you can drive, do it. You will be glad you did. There are lots of places hiring. I hope you are willing to work the ramp I don't think it will be more than 1 year, and that's a very conservative number.

[digits_]

If you are looking for a job flying something super small, be prepared. They might put you in the plane to see how you fly.

If it's been over 2 years you've seen the inside of a plane, go rent something to shake off the rust.

I remember taking up an applicant in a small Cessna. The fellow got lost in the circuit. Needless to say he did not get hired.

[ICUP]

I'm in the same boat. I learned fairly quickly that operators don't care where you are trained. I wouldn't mention your college until you are interviewing for AC.

As mentioned here, talking to people is key. Don't expect to get a job just by sending resumes and interchanging emails with an HR employee. Most of the hiring at 702-703's is done by CPs or OPS managers and they tend to hire based on what impression you give them in person. Talking to people does not mean just CPs. Try to talk to rampies, pilots... anyone that represents the airline you are aiming for. You will get the best insights into the company through them.

Before you head the road to chat with CPs, do some thorough research and pick operators you 'like' (type of operations, fleet...). Learn anything you can about your favourite operators and go see them with an 'I will get a job' attitude. If you don't; don't be afraid to accept a temporary ramp/dispatch position. No shame on that. If you decide to keep looking somewhere else, remember to follow up with the CP often as mentioned here.

Getting that first job seems like an impossible feat. Be proud of what you achieved so far and go out there willing to genuinely connect with fellow aviators. You might not just get a job, but also make some good friends along the way!

[FOD_Vacuum]

The best resource you take away from an aviation program are the people who you studied with. You will know them for life. I was able to land my first flying job through my connections.

[Squaretail]

When you apply, figure out why you want to work for THAT company. Pay particular attention to the flying they do and why that appeals to you.

A little research and attention goes a long way. In my last resume sorting I don't bother with all the guys telling me they would be my perfect first officer, when that's not the position I advertised for. For that matter don't be wanting to be a first officer. Apply as a pilot. If you want a foot in the door, have some interesting things to ask about. You should know what aircraft the company uses and what sort of work they do.

When they ask you why you want to work for them, the last thing you want to say is that you just need a bit more PIC for your ATPL. (Seen it)

Or that your goal is to get to the airlines, unless you're applying at an airline, but that doesn't seem to be the problem here. Have an interesting career path thought out that involves this particular employer and the potential of being with them for some time. No one wants to hire someone they're going to have to replace at the soonest change in the job market.

An email from another no time wannabe doesn't get too far at most companies.

Emails go straight into the trash bin.

The only time to email a resume is if its directly to a job ad that has solicited them, or upon the request of someone who actually might be hiring. When sending emails, make sure to follow directions. Who to send it to, what job ad it is in reference to. Pay attention. You'd be surprised (or not) how often I've gotten emails about other companies job ads. Oops.

They might put you in the plane to see how you fly.

Yes. Bring your A-game. Its not flight school where the instructor is going to blow sunshine up your ass. Just because you're done flight school, doesn't mean you stop flying. You only get good at flying by flying.

[digits_]

Also realize that most people would want to hire you and give you a job, if there was a job available.
If you talk to anyone, be it on the phone or not, and they tell you there are no jobs available, don't assume they are out to get you or that they are lying.

I used to get the occasional phone call at a 703 operator from pilots looking for a job. I was ust a lowly instructor answering phones when I wasn't flying. I told them there weren't any vacancies, the chief pilot was unavailable, but if he would send his resume, we'd keep it on file. All of that was true. He never sent a resume.
2 weeks later one of our pilots quit unexpectedly. Guess who would have gotten a phone call if he would have bothered sending me a resume?

[Bede]

I really don't want to stir the hornet's nest, but how's your English? I work with a guy who came from an eastern European country. He said that he had a difficult time getting work and he presumed because of his accent. He hired an English tutor who specialized in getting rid of his accent and he said he had no issues after that.

I'm not going to pass judgement or speculate on whether or not there's bias against non-native English speakers, or it's acceptability, but it's something to consider.

[Turboprops]

Literally every single northern operator is hiring rampies… tough it out for 6 months then you’re flying

[newlygrounded]

Literally every single northern operator is hiring rampies… tough it out for 6 months then you’re flying

Have you seen the looming recession? Good chance you'd be laid off at worst in a few months (and leaving a good job to go there most likely)

[vanislepilot]

Where are you located? For me I was raised in Edmonton and that's were I got my start

Drive drive and drive. Just knock on them doors. It's nervracking as heck, even after your 67th door. However once you are let in, the nerves usually go away.

Try dressing for the job too, if it's winter and you want to fly 172 pipeline patrol, boots and jacket, not suit and dress shoes.

If they say they aren't hiring now, then you must visit again, take their card if you can too. Don't go everyday, but even once every 1.5-2 weeks should do it.

Oh and if the chief pilot isn't there, BE NICE AND FRIENDLY TO EVERYONE!!!! Front desk, maintenance, other pilots, these people are your potential colleagues and have a lot more power than you think when it comes to hiring you. Spend 15 mins bsing with the mechanics, bring em donuts from time to time and you'll find the CP calling you instead. (Happened to me)

The only job I got with an email was my current airline job. Everything else was some variation of what I wrote above.

[imapo16]

Where are you located? For me I was raised in Edmonton and that's were I got my start

Drive drive and drive. Just knock on them doors. It's nervracking as heck, even after your 67th door. However once you are let in, the nerves usually go away.

Try dressing for the job too, if it's winter and you want to fly 172 pipeline patrol, boots and jacket, not suit and dress shoes.

If they say they aren't hiring now, then you must visit again, take their card if you can too. Don't go everyday, but even once every 1.5-2 weeks should do it.

Oh and if the chief pilot isn't there, BE NICE AND FRIENDLY TO EVERYONE!!!! Front desk, maintenance, other pilots, these people are your potential colleagues and have a lot more power than you think when it comes to hiring you. Spend 15 mins bsing with the mechanics, bring em donuts from time to time and you'll find the CP calling you instead. (Happened to me)

The only job I got with an email was my current airline job. Everything else was some variation of what I wrote above.

I am from the Montreal Area.

[Turboprops]

Literally every single northern operator is hiring rampies… tough it out for 6 months then you’re flying

Have you seen the looming recession? Good chance you'd be laid off at worst in a few months (and leaving a good job to go there most likely)

Lets say you’re right, but the north is pretty much recession proof, so what’s your point again?

[OtherRedBaron]

When you apply, figure out why you want to work for THAT company. Pay particular attention to the flying they do and why that appeals to you.

Useless advice (sorry Bede).

It has nothing to do with the individual company. When you're using the shotgun approach, you simply don't have time to figure this out for every company you apply to. The reality is that you'll wait for the very few responses you get, and then look into those places specifically.

I find it hypocritical to expect new applicants to have the perfect application for an operator, but yet at the same time tell applicants that 1 of every five hundred applications actually gets looked at. Why should I invest that much time into my application, when chances are, you will instantly send it to the trash bin?

I've tried it both ways - the shotgun, email everyone the same resume and cover letter and then the very targeted, this is why I want to work for YOU approach. Neither one is better than the other, and neither one has resulted in a better response rate. I do have the luxury of another profession to fall back on.

However - I would agree that simply showing up is a better approach, but I can't attest to that.

[DanWEC]

Useless advice (sorry Bede).

I hate to say it, but it seems like you've answered all your own questions, picked a path, and the results have spoken for themselves. You've gotta remember, an employer hires you for their benefit, not yours. A business doesn't run itself.

Part of what Bede is saying is to be present and genuine. Anything else can be smelt miles away.

Anyhow to the OP, it's the hardest part of starting your career.
After a unicorn for me fell through at the last minute when I started out, I did a 3 week road trip. I'd call ahead evening and morning to each operator that I could. I had a laptop printer and inverter in the back seat if I couldn't get up-to-date info online or nobody on the phone, and I'd customize a resume in the parking lot after a moment at the desk.
I made sure I knew what planes and missions each did before I showed up. If I dropped into a place with a type or requirements that I was obviously underqualified for I'd make sure not to waste time but ask for any helpful direction.
If the cp or owner is loading at the dock, be useful while you're talking and at least help out instead of taking time away.
You set yourself apart by showing what you can do for the operator, why you want to be there, and hopefully it reciprocates if it's the regime you want to fly in are at least curious about it. Most people don't want to stick at the first types of jobs.
I ended the trip with 5 job offers, which is more than the zero I had from the previous 6 months of emails.
Good luck!

[LifeAt90Kts]

I hire entry level pilots. This advice is purely my opinion and I’m sure others will disagree, but here is what I look for in a newbie:

- If your resume is 5 pages long, I’m likely not reading past the first page. Please keep the cover letter to one page, and the resume to one page.

- Please lay off the fancy formatting. If I have to search around trying to find your license info you’ve lost my attention. (If you look up “xsbank” on this forum they have posted some fantastic resume formatting advice)

- ALWAYS send your resume in pdf. If you send it in word, the formatting quite often goes wonky and it becomes annoying to decipher. I had a resume forwarded to me in word once and our recruiter accidentally deleted all the contact info while they had the document open. Not great.

- Here’s what I want at the top of your resume:

Total Time
CPL
Group 1/3
IATRA or ATPL written

- No photos, gender or orientation, marital status, or blood type (yes, I have received resumes with all of these).

- Please have someone proofread your cover letter and resume. I know I shouldn’t but I judge applications riddled with typos and grammatical errors. I suppose it speaks more to attention to detail.

- I don’t mind walk ins, but I do appreciate when they know a little bit about what we do.

- I am well aware that lots of folks are just trying to get their 1500 hours to head off to the airlines but that doesn’t mean you can’t absorb experience and contribute to the operation in the mean time, so please try to focus on that.

- The #1 thing I need from a newbie is a willingness to learn. If you are coachable I have all the time in the world for you. If you walk in like you’re above the work I have to offer, then we just aren’t going to be a good fit.

- If you don’t know an answer, tell me where you’d go find it.

- Never, ever offer to work for free. We are professionals and your training and licenses have value.

Bottom line, keep it simple. Have a clear and concise resume. In person visits are ok (unless the company you’re applying to has said otherwise). Please be authentic and have an open mind to learn everything you can from everyone you meet.

Good luck!

[altiplano]

- No photos, gender or orientation, marital status, or blood type (yes, I have received resumes with all of these).

LOLOLOOLOL..

How about pronouns?

Me/them/her/he?

[qwe221sd]

It's the reality. Pilot shortage is a myth.

[PilotDAR]

From my experience, an important factor in being hired to a task as a newbie, is to be where it's happening. To work in aviation, do your best to be at the airport/floatplane base as much as you can. If this means taking a ramp/dock job, do that. The boss just wants a job done. Sometimes that job is flying a plane, sometimes, it's loading and fueling. If the boss sees you doing those jobs well (which are jobs they very likely did themselves), they will get a good impression of you, and that counts for a lot. Of course they know that you want to fly planes, every pilot does! Give them a chance to get to know what a conscientious hard worker you are, before they give you their expensive airplane. Then, when you're there, doing your job well, and they need something flown, you'll be the first person they think of - 'cause you're already there!

I was given a lot of great flying opportunities early in my career, because the boss was able to find me nearby when something needed to be flown - I was under a plane cleaning it, sweeping a floor, putting gas in, or lifting something. I never regretted doing a menial task - to this day, because the people who hired me had too, and being like them was good for job my advancement.

[WellThatAgedWell]

The best way to find a pilot job today is to get vaccinated.

I was having trouble finding a pilot job but then I put on the top of my resume under “qualifications” “fully vax and boosted”. Finally I got a call for an interview, but when they found out I said I had natural immunity they called me a liar and plague rat and walked me out the door.