Including Exam/Flight Test Results in Resume/Cover Letter.

[FlaplessDork]

I am wondering what peoples opinion on including examination and flight test results in your resume or cover letter is a good idea. Lets say all your exams, CPEAR, INRAT, SARON, SAMRA etc, you got 90% or higher and your Commercial Flight Test was nearly all 4's. (or all 5's if you did it under the pervious system).

Could mean two things: either you have an ego, or you worked hard to get those marks.

[AEROBAT]

I can't see anything wrong with doing that at all. If I was hiring and had a stack of job apps to go through with similar hours ect. I would definately consider one with high marks first.

[FlaplessDork]

The reason I asked was because I saw a few places ask for your marks for your A's.

[Invertago]

While in theory it makes sense, but in reality, I think it looks pretty tacky.

[xsbank]

You may have just gone to a cram-course to get your marks, too. I think the marks just clutter the resume up. Just say which exams you have completed. If you are going to a job where a type is required, some firms ask for a copy of your last recurrent flight test...

[Doc]

No

Don't do it. I mean, how hokey can we get here? Next, folks will want to include their marks from kinder gym.

It has nothing to do with a) how you'll do the job. b) what kind of an employee you'll be.

M I C K E Y M O U S E

[FlaplessDork]

This is kinda been my feeling on it.

[Big Pistons Forever]

No

Don't do it. I mean, how hokey can we get here? Next, folks will want to include their marks from kinder gym.

It has nothing to do with a) how you'll do the job. b) what kind of an employee you'll be.

M I C K E Y M O U S E

+1

CP's are looking for attitude and work ethic and the ability to demonstrate good skills and knowledge in an actual flight,....Not IMO crowing about how well you did on the TC trivia compendums. My experience has been referances/referals is what gets you hired.

[mbav8r]

As a former C.P, I would like to know how well a pilot has the ability to understand and retain what they've studied. It does come in handy considering every time you switch types, there are new systems to learn, etc.. Of course this was back when, to obtain a ppc on a light twin, T.C pretty much expected you to be able to undertstand and explain entire sytems. Anyone here remember having to go through the electrical schematics for a ride?
Not everyone takes those courses, myself, I studied every book I could get my hands on. I even had the same green met books the military pilots used, I believe there was 6 books. Anyhow I included my marks under the heading of Education and Achievements, including The board of directors award for top pilot graduate. The only people who , in my opinion, don't want to include their marks, perhaps aren't proud of how they did or how they achieved them.
Ask yourself, why would someone who is applying for a pilot position, include a Bachelor degree in something totally unrelated to aviation? I've seen it.

[kevinsky18]

As someone who has read through alot of pilot resumes I would say no. It adds to the noise of the resume. I also don't like long cover letters that talk about how much a pilot wants the job, loves aviation etc. I assume all these things already otherwise they wouldn't have come this far.

I prefer to read a very condensed cover letter and a resume that has times that are broken down to clearly indicate where the experience comes from. For example I often see "50 hours of C185 time on floats, wheels and skis." Well is that 48 hours of wheel time, one hour of float time and one hour of ski time????

If you have so much experience that breaking it all down will clutter up your resume then just break down the times that are relvant to the employer you're trying to reach.

I know it's hard when you're trying to build a resume that you can mass e-mail to every employer out there. But frankly if you're unemployed you got the time.

Another person may want to read all that ramble about how you've always wanted to be a pilot since you were 5years old. I usually call them HR and they are in the big airlines and are usually non pilots.

just my 2cents.

[rigpiggy]

I've flown with several flight college grads, that although they knew the books, couldn't fly their way out of a paperbag, I have also flown with farmhands, that cannot punctuate a sentence, but have great hands/feet.

Guess which I'd rather fly with. Marks on an TC test just means you picked the "most correct answer"

edited for grammar

[FlaplessDork]

As a former C.P, I would like to know how well a pilot has the ability to understand and retain what they've studied. It does come in handy considering every time you switch types, there are new systems to learn, etc.. Of course this was back when, to obtain a ppc on a light twin, T.C pretty much expected you to be able to undertstand and explain entire sytems. Anyone here remember having to go through the electrical schematics for a ride?
Not everyone takes those courses, myself, I studied every book I could get my hands on. I even had the same green met books the military pilots used, I believe there was 6 books. Anyhow I included my marks under the heading of Education and Achievements, including The board of directors award for top pilot graduate. The only people who , in my opinion, don't want to include their marks, perhaps aren't proud of how they did or how they achieved them.
Ask yourself, why would someone who is applying for a pilot position, include a Bachelor degree in something totally unrelated to aviation? I've seen it.

Interesting take on it.

[ETOPS]

I am wondering what peoples opinion on including examination and flight test results in your resume or cover letter is a good idea. Lets say all your exams, CPEAR, INRAT, SARON, SAMRA etc, you got 90% or higher and your Commercial Flight Test was nearly all 4's. (or all 5's if you did it under the pervious system).

If you do include it in the resume, make sure you spell it right.

[CBSW]

I think its pretty cheesy...

What if you had a easier marker on your rides? What if you had a truly crappy ride that was well below your performance level?

Also, I've flown with some TC ride aces.. and their PDM etc was nothing short of frightening.

I don't think test marks should mean jack...nor are they a true representation of flying skill/ knowledge.

Also, isn't there some regualtion prohibiting employers from asking for that type of information??? IMO this type of thing esablishes a new standard where pilots must submit these kind of marks.

[AEROBAT]

CBSW,

In many industries the employer is given a copy of the score achieved on government tests. All the trades, pipefitters, welders, machinists, electricians ect. the apprentice has a book that the employer has to fill in to accredit hours and the employer usually receives the students marks before he/she does directly from the government.

I am not advocating that this be mandatory at all in aviation, I just felt that it couldn't hurt if someone wanted to include his/her marks on a resume. As was pointed out many people brag about degrees in non aviation related fields on their resumes which I feel IS stupid.

[Doc]

CBSW,

In many industries the employer is given a copy of the score achieved on government tests. All the trades, pipefitters, welders, machinists, electricians ect. the apprentice has a book that the employer has to fill in to accredit hours and the employer usually receives the students marks before he/she does directly from the government.

I am not advocating that this be mandatory at all in aviation, I just felt that it couldn't hurt if someone wanted to include his/her marks on a resume. As was pointed out many people brag about degrees in non aviation related fields on their resumes which I feel IS stupid.

No degrees on resumes? What would you suggest a low time pilot fills the page with? If you have 250 hours and a degree, by all means, include the degree on the resume.
In the case of the ATPL exams with all the cute little "names", I care that you have them completed. I don't GARA what you scored on a multiple "guess" quiz.
I would also leave out the fact you were a Boy Scout. Exclude the "Head Cheerleader" as well. If you took a course in alligator wrestling, put that in a resume for sure. At least it's a wee bit interesting. If you hobby is bull riding, by all means put that in there. Proves you're not a pussy! If you play golf, and have a 6 handicap, that should be included. We need good golfers! If you're in your church choir, leave that out. Please. Do NOT include a photo of your ugly ass, unless you look like Penelope Cruz, in which case, include photo!
You see, the company I work with (notice I didn't say "for") is more interested in guys we can get along with, long term. We're like the Hotel California. You can check in, but you'll never leave....

[flying4dollars]

I believed a resume should be simple and concise. Put in the important details, ie your flying experience and what types you've flown and what ratings you have. Education, relevant experience, skillset etc. Exam marks are a minor detail in my opinion.It's funny because I was discussing this exact topic with a co-worker a couple of weeks ago. I know people who pass exams with the mark they need, but are fantastic pilots. Conversely, I know guys who damn near get 100% on all their exams, but can't fly worth sh*t. Personally, I don't want to be judged by a number on an exam, whether or not it's 70% or 100%. I'd rather be judged by the experience I've gained and the person I am.

[4hrstovegas]

Ditto and ditto for the "resume noise" comments. If you REALLY want to put it in somewhere, slip it quickly into your cover letter. Don't get specific with each mark, cuz that's the part where they'll start skimming. "I have been described by superiors as easy to train with excellent base knowledge (all TC exams completed over 90%)."

Still a little cheesy, but more mild cheddar than gorgonzola.

Edited because I got hungry and had to go for crackers and cheese at the end....

[altiplano]

-

[loopa]

Aside from being tacky... I think every low timer should go into this career accepting the fact that 100% on everything you have done up to here means squat - you still know feck all and those marks are completely irrelevant to what you have got yourself into beyond getting you to the door... the sooner you accept that the more I'd want to hire you.

I don't mean this as an attack, but you would rather hire a 250 hour pilot who thinks he's a no body and is un-confident in the very little abilities he/she has or the 250 hour pilot who knows he's got a lot ahead of him, but is also confident in the small number of skills he/she has?

I was under the impression that no matter the experience level, confidence, personality, and work ethic was what earned a pilot the position in the flight deck. Overconfidence is just plain stupidity, and Altiplano, if you're referring your response to the overconfident wads who walk around thinking they're gods, then I'm totally on board with you. The good ol'saying, the day you stop learning is the day you should hang your coat and hat.


I would like to think that if you're inexperienced, develop a curious attitude whilst maintaining self-recency and confidence in the current abilities you've got; the rest will come. But if I'm wrong, I'd like to be corrected !

A question I have for you Altiplano though is how would you prefer to see a low timer in an interview? What is the dude supposed to respond to "what will you bring to this company..." if he's a low timer? I suppose all you'd be looking for is work ethic and attitude then, how about the confidence in his answer? Would that confidence by any chance mean that he's confident in his abilities as a pilot? But he's a low timer, so is that just a plain sense of egotism ? I'd love to get your response on what you think

Cheers

[C-GGGQ]

my take on it is they are confidential. An employer is not even allowed to ask to see them. Obviously they were not meant to, so why offer.

[altiplano]

-

[loopa]

Cool ! I just wanted to see what your opinion was.

[185_guy]

Sorry if this is getting a little of the topic of this thread but.... it would be a good idea to find out what the company (more specifically the CP or HR person, find out who will look at it) likes to see in/on a Resume or Cover Letter. If its for a small operator maybe this may not be quite so applicable, but for a bigger operation it could mean making it to the interview or your name making it the round filing bin. Some people/places may like to see your marks, some may not.

know it's hard when you're trying to build a resume that you can mass e-mail to every employer out there. But frankly if you're unemployed you got the time.

If you are applying to several different types of operations try to make a resume for each one, tailor the info to be specific to each company's requirements. This will involve researching the company and finding out what they do, where they go, who they fly, what those people may like etc. Maybe that seems a little extreme, but the more you know about your future employer,the better and will allow you to sell yourself to that place. (and it may save lots of whining later on)

[xsbank]

I used to - got too overwhelming. Now I just sit back and toss the occasional opinion into the mix to keep the pot boiling!