How did you get your first job?

Topspin · Post by **Topspin** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:38 pm

So you just graduated with a brand new CPL, you're $20,000 in the hole and unemployed.
Did you:
A)Send out 300 resumes, and get lucky enough to get hired.
B)Meet enough people during your training to make contacts in the business comunity, and be offered a job.
C)Start instructing at the school you attended.
D)Other?

I'm just trying to get a feel on how careers generally lift off.

Adam Oke · Post by **Adam Oke** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:10 pm

My first job was the "know someone who knows someone" kind of deal. My flight school owner pretty well hooked me up with my first dock/180 job.

My 2nd job the following season (this season), I was offered.

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:20 pm

Right place, right time, right guy.

Never been the alignment of those planets since...

just curious · Post by **just curious** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:41 pm

After a thorough review of my resume, hours, qualifications (paying close attention to my college marks, language proficiencies, and previous jobs held), my points on the matrix, and my availability to start, the chief pilot gravely announced that I was clearly the best candidate for the job.

I just said "Thanks Dad!" and we went home.

Apache64_ · Post by **Apache64_** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:04 pm

I sent resume to every flight school and company from bc to manitoba and was starting into ontario when I finally recieved a call on a job.

Worked for me.

Apache

skywire · Post by **skywire** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:20 pm

First job... blow job

seniorpumpkin · Post by **seniorpumpkin** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:17 am

I did lots of research, found a hand full of companies where I figured I would fit in. I called them, sent a resume, then drove there to shake hands.
I had four separate job offers with only 200 hours. It took plenty of driving but it was well worth it!

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:34 am

Some helpful suggestions for the 200r wonders:

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:02 am

First job... blow job

Male on male skywire?

iflyforpie · Post by **iflyforpie** » Thu May 01, 2008 11:14 am

I was working for a flight school as an AME and doing my CPL training. Since they were paying me anyways, I segwayed into a charter pilot position with them doing boat counts in a 172 on weekends and air cargo two days a week in a Cherokee SIX. Not bad for a 200hr wonder eh?

Unfortunately, they shut down their AMO because the DOM got fired and I didn't have enough experience to run it They could only pay me a pilot wage so I went contract AME for a few years.

This job I got right now was referred to me be an AME colleague. I put my resume in three years ago but didn't think too much of it since I was doing other things at the time. Then I get a cell phone call out of the blue last April offering me a job. As I understand, this doesn't happen to too many low time pilots. Certainly not below 55N and west of the Rockies.

360montana · Post by **360montana** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:16 pm

I had just finished my Multi IFR with PRO and I applyed to a job I found advertized on this site. 5 days after I printed off my resume, got some great ref's, had the interview and started shortly after. Just turned 33 with 250hrs... 40K a year FO on a 425 Conquest in my home town(in the Okanagan). Great sart... I am a happy man!

iflyforpie · Post by **iflyforpie** » Fri May 02, 2008 7:57 am

360montana wrote:I had just finished my Multi IFR with PRO and I applyed to a job I found advertized on this site. 5 days after I printed off my resume, got some great ref's, had the interview and started shortly after. Just turned 33 with 250hrs... 40K a year FO on a 425 Conquest in my home town(in the Okanagan). Great sart... I am a happy man!

Is that Kal Tire? Sounds pretty sweet! Good for you!

Big Pistons Forever · Post by **Big Pistons Forever** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:03 am

My first job

I walked into the Flying Club office to show everyone my brand new just signed off 1 min ago Class 4 instructor rating when the CFI looked up and said " good thing you passed your ride because George just left with no notice for a King Air job which starts tomorrow ". Your first student arrives in 30 min.

I guess the moral of the story is it is better to be lucky than good

SkyWolfe · Post by **SkyWolfe** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:03 am

Airtids wrote:Right place, right time, right guy.

Never been the alignment of those planets since...

Sounds like me haha!

360montana · Post by **360montana** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:30 am

iflyforpie wrote:Is that Kal Tire? Sounds pretty sweet! Good for you!

Yes it is a great gig. We are just in the process of getting another Encore 560... that makes two. In about a year if all goes well I will be upgrading to the jet. Great company to work for... I have faith there are still fair companies in the industry that don't take advantage (negatively) of rookie pilots.

AntiNakedMan · Post by **AntiNakedMan** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:41 pm

just curious wrote:After a thorough review of my resume, hours, qualifications (paying close attention to my college marks, language proficiencies, and previous jobs held), my points on the matrix, and my availability to start, the chief pilot gravely announced that I was clearly the best candidate for the job.

I just said "Thanks Dad!" and we went home.

hahaha exactly how things went for me too. Except I never had to really submit anything, it was kind of a "well, we paid for your training so I guess you have to work for us forever..."

Cadismack · Post by **Cadismack** » Fri May 02, 2008 11:23 pm

Applied for a seasonal job really early with a place I really wanted to get onto. Got kinda discouraged when things didn't progress and sent out humdreds of resumes elsewhere, also with no luck. In the mean time kept ontop of the first operator that I really wanted to work for with a email, occasional phone call and visit. After a while of dead end leads and finally conceeding to hop in my car and drive cross country to look for work, a couple of his pilots bailed and I was still interested and available when he called.

Now I'm pretty stoked about building some PIC and having some fun! Being polite, showing some interest and enthusiasm helped me land my first job.

SkyWolfe · Post by **SkyWolfe** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:08 pm

What the hell is with pilots who don't show any enthusiasm? What the hell are you doing becoming a pilot if you don't like it? Get another job, jeebus.

Wolfie

sissyphus · Post by **sissyphus** » Sat May 03, 2008 6:20 pm

You forgot about another option.....Avcanada.

I did the whole send out 300 resume's, did the drive across the country. Ended up walking into a real shitty job in YYZ, spent my time searching avcanada, for something more aligned with my career goals. Found a small school in southern Ontario, built some time, haven't looked back.

Cold_Lake_Hvy · Post by **Cold_Lake_Hvy** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:59 pm

Sorry Gents, I can't really respond to this, unless "OTHER" includes sitting around telling another starry eyed "chief" pilot about prolonged flight >600 (that little spot where alpha becomes echo).

Let's just say that at most job interviews post CF the questions weren't so much about "what if" scenarios and more about "tell about that time you did...whichever" scenarios, if you know what I mean.

Keep up the good work.

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:37 pm

I just wore my really tight short black leather skirt to the interview. I know it works....

CLguy · Post by **CLguy** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:46 pm

Doc, I call bullshit!! I've seen your legs and I know CP's have to pass vision tests the same as we do!!!

I just went on a road trip with a buddy in the early spring before break up to the operation he worked for. Ended up drinking mass quantities of beer with the CP and some of the other local pilots he worked with. Once I got rid of the headache, I never looked back.

square · Post by **square** » Thu May 08, 2008 2:32 am

Worked the ramp, like a real man! Was sure to get an agreement on promotion to the flight line first though, we figured 6 months, ended up being 5, now I'm logging about 8 hours a day doing charters.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu May 08, 2008 9:21 am

Worked the ramp, like a real man!

You of course are jesting?

jetflightinstructor · Thu May 08, 2008 11:04 am