Aight, I just got off the phone with a very nice man who would like to talk to me on Friday about possibly helping fly a small jet for his company.
Here's what I have already cased:
Fresh ironed clothes
sober
polished shoes
logbook + license
letters of reference
Am I missing anything?
Can you think of some standard interview questions so I rehearse my answers?
My previous work was on light piston and turboprop aircraft. This will be a Citation II. What should I familiarize myself with for Friday?
Any and all help muchly appreciated.
Interview Jitters
Moderators: Sulako, lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, I WAS Birddog
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desksgo
- Rank 10
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- Location: Toy Poodle Town, Manitoba
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Worst question I have ever been asked, which really made my hamster run on his wheel was:
"Name a situation where you had to violate a regulation in the interest of flight safety"
Be sure to focus on safety, service and customer satisfaction. Something tells me that you know what you're doing anyway.
Good luck champ...like I told the CX driver, go do it for those of us that can't!!
All the best.
"Name a situation where you had to violate a regulation in the interest of flight safety"
Be sure to focus on safety, service and customer satisfaction. Something tells me that you know what you're doing anyway.
Good luck champ...like I told the CX driver, go do it for those of us that can't!!
All the best.
What do their uniforms look like? If you can try to blend in, make it seem like you are already one of them.
History of the company, make them think that you always wanted to work there.
Attach a passport size photo with your resume and make several copies in case there is more then one person doing the interview so they remember you better
Go over general data about the citation II, once again make it seem like you are already one of them.
If its for corporate, think of answers why you would make a good corporate pilot. IE you go above and behond for every client. You show up early, you get catering, you make sure there is always hot coffee with cream and stir sticks and alcohol on board, the aircraft is alway groomed with the seat belts crossed, the ice box is full with pop, there is always a limo or a taxi waiting at the othe end and so on.
If you have never flown over 12500 before go over climb segments which are pretty easy if I remember correctly..positve climb..2.4%...negative sink..and 1.2%
When I did interviews I looked for a postive attitude that fit the "pilot" mold. If you have been out of work or fired, don't hide it, and don't slander your old company. Just tell them it was a great experience that didn't turn out. All interviewers have been there at one time or another. And don't seem desperate.
Get your friends to ask you questions then answere them and get feedback so it will feel natural when you go in.
Don't show up way to early but definately don't be late.
If they ask for you best traits and worst traits, never give them more then one bad trait even if they ask for more. And try to make your bad trait a good thing, EI "Sometimes I am a bit slow to learn new things, I am a perfectionist and want to get it right"
Oh ya, relax have fun and be yourself. I could tell within 2 minutes if I wanted to hire the person. Usually people talk themselves out of a job rather then into one!
PS I forgot one thing, have a couple of questions of your own ready for them at the end of the interview. Make sure the questions don't come off as being negative IE " how many days off a month do I get? VS How many days a month will I be able to fly?" Both questions will get the same answer but one of them would look bad on you if you asked it.
History of the company, make them think that you always wanted to work there.
Attach a passport size photo with your resume and make several copies in case there is more then one person doing the interview so they remember you better
Go over general data about the citation II, once again make it seem like you are already one of them.
If its for corporate, think of answers why you would make a good corporate pilot. IE you go above and behond for every client. You show up early, you get catering, you make sure there is always hot coffee with cream and stir sticks and alcohol on board, the aircraft is alway groomed with the seat belts crossed, the ice box is full with pop, there is always a limo or a taxi waiting at the othe end and so on.
If you have never flown over 12500 before go over climb segments which are pretty easy if I remember correctly..positve climb..2.4%...negative sink..and 1.2%
When I did interviews I looked for a postive attitude that fit the "pilot" mold. If you have been out of work or fired, don't hide it, and don't slander your old company. Just tell them it was a great experience that didn't turn out. All interviewers have been there at one time or another. And don't seem desperate.
Get your friends to ask you questions then answere them and get feedback so it will feel natural when you go in.
Don't show up way to early but definately don't be late.
If they ask for you best traits and worst traits, never give them more then one bad trait even if they ask for more. And try to make your bad trait a good thing, EI "Sometimes I am a bit slow to learn new things, I am a perfectionist and want to get it right"
Oh ya, relax have fun and be yourself. I could tell within 2 minutes if I wanted to hire the person. Usually people talk themselves out of a job rather then into one!
PS I forgot one thing, have a couple of questions of your own ready for them at the end of the interview. Make sure the questions don't come off as being negative IE " how many days off a month do I get? VS How many days a month will I be able to fly?" Both questions will get the same answer but one of them would look bad on you if you asked it.
Last edited by whipline on Mon May 30, 2005 12:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Corporate flying doesn't require that you're . yeager. They can train up your skills as required.
Attitude and personality is everything for corporate flying. You'd better be flexible - no whining - and no complaining about doing all the non-pilot chores that need to get done. You won't fly very much, after all.
Attitude and personality is everything for corporate flying. You'd better be flexible - no whining - and no complaining about doing all the non-pilot chores that need to get done. You won't fly very much, after all.
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Panama Jack
- Rank 11
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- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:10 am
- Location: Back here
Sulako,
First of all, congratulations on the invitation and good luck! We'll have our fingers crossed here for a report back.
The previous posters have pretty much hit on all the topics, and it seems like you already have a pretty good idea in what your in for. Most important-- get a good night's sleep the day before! Remember that the interview is a two way street-- maybe the way they treat you, you don't want to work for them. This helps you feel somewhat part in control also.
Enjoy the experience and if you want any info about the Citation II before going in, PM me.
First of all, congratulations on the invitation and good luck! We'll have our fingers crossed here for a report back.
The previous posters have pretty much hit on all the topics, and it seems like you already have a pretty good idea in what your in for. Most important-- get a good night's sleep the day before! Remember that the interview is a two way street-- maybe the way they treat you, you don't want to work for them. This helps you feel somewhat part in control also.
Enjoy the experience and if you want any info about the Citation II before going in, PM me.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
-President Ronald Reagan
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Rubberbiscuit
- Rank 8
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- Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 3:02 pm
Smile and walk in with confidence, even if you are nervous. The first 20 sec's are important! look into the eye's of the interviewers when answering. And regardless how negative the question, twist it into something positive. It is all about selling your personality because you will be on the front line for the company.
Good luck!
Good luck!
If they ask you to give them a flaw about yourself DON'T use the "I'm a bit of a perfectionist and therefore too picky" line. It's the most common one in the book and they will be waiting for that one and some don't consider it a flaw.
Be honest but most importantly, as Rubberbiscuit said, turn it into a positive and remember you are selling yourself.
Best of luck
Be honest but most importantly, as Rubberbiscuit said, turn it into a positive and remember you are selling yourself.
Best of luck
DON'T use the "I'm a slow learner 'cause I want to get it right" excuse. No. Wrong. Much bad. They want someone SHARP that they will be sending to Type school. When you go, you will probably be the only one from your company there, so comparisons will be meaningless as long as you get your type rating.
A better one is "I tend to micromanage my flights which can annoy some crew" or "I always want the aircraft to be meticulous, which sometimes delays the transit to the hotel, which tends to annoy the crew" or my fave, "I tend to delegate too much - I like to let the copilot do most of the flying while I arrange all of the ground details to make the flight seamless for the passengers." Get the idea? This last one is actually true, corporate captains are organizers foremost.
If you are the copilot, offer to do EVERYTHING. You are, foremost, a gopher, and you will love flying a jet.
In corporate, the flying is actually the least important of your duties.
Basically, you're perfect, and you know you can do the job, right?
Most of the above, with bells on, plus take a pen, business cards and something to write on to take notes (names, etc) unless you don't know how to hold a pen(!) Don't chew gum, except in the cockpit, and never with a headset on. Don't wear whore lure - save it for the bar. Brush your teeth, look both ways before crossing the road and when you're out on your bike at night, wear white. Sorry, sorry.
Break a leg, and don't sweat it, (you need your sleep - no coffee in the AM, no booze, etc.) after all you are perfect for the job.
A better one is "I tend to micromanage my flights which can annoy some crew" or "I always want the aircraft to be meticulous, which sometimes delays the transit to the hotel, which tends to annoy the crew" or my fave, "I tend to delegate too much - I like to let the copilot do most of the flying while I arrange all of the ground details to make the flight seamless for the passengers." Get the idea? This last one is actually true, corporate captains are organizers foremost.
If you are the copilot, offer to do EVERYTHING. You are, foremost, a gopher, and you will love flying a jet.
In corporate, the flying is actually the least important of your duties.
Basically, you're perfect, and you know you can do the job, right?
Most of the above, with bells on, plus take a pen, business cards and something to write on to take notes (names, etc) unless you don't know how to hold a pen(!) Don't chew gum, except in the cockpit, and never with a headset on. Don't wear whore lure - save it for the bar. Brush your teeth, look both ways before crossing the road and when you're out on your bike at night, wear white. Sorry, sorry.
Break a leg, and don't sweat it, (you need your sleep - no coffee in the AM, no booze, etc.) after all you are perfect for the job.
"What's it doing now?"
"Fly low and slow and throttle back in the turns."
"Fly low and slow and throttle back in the turns."
Sulako,
A while back I walked into a corporate interview in Toronto, and after all the pleasantries were exchanged, he hit me with: "So, tell me your life story." Needless to say, this was the last thing I was expecting to be asked, but I just took it as a way for him to get the conversation going. I gave him all the good stuff, cause I didn't want to make the poor guy cry! That was pretty much the only thing he hit me with, as the rest of the interview stemmed from things that came up from that initial conversation. He did give me a chance to ask questions about them, to which I gave the industry accepted response to that: "What is the biggest challenge that [company] will face over the next 5 years?" That gives the you a chance to get the interviewer on his heels
Good luck!!!
Dankshown
A while back I walked into a corporate interview in Toronto, and after all the pleasantries were exchanged, he hit me with: "So, tell me your life story." Needless to say, this was the last thing I was expecting to be asked, but I just took it as a way for him to get the conversation going. I gave him all the good stuff, cause I didn't want to make the poor guy cry! That was pretty much the only thing he hit me with, as the rest of the interview stemmed from things that came up from that initial conversation. He did give me a chance to ask questions about them, to which I gave the industry accepted response to that: "What is the biggest challenge that [company] will face over the next 5 years?" That gives the you a chance to get the interviewer on his heels
Good luck!!!Dankshown
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Panama Jack
- Rank 11
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- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:10 am
- Location: Back here
Good God xsbank, I hope you're really not like this because if you are, I'd hate to fly with you.xsbank wrote:A better one is "I tend to micromanage my flights which can annoy some crew" or "I always want the aircraft to be meticulous, which sometimes delays the transit to the hotel, which tends to annoy the crew" or my fave, "I tend to delegate too much - I like to let the copilot do most of the flying while I arrange all of the ground details to make the flight seamless for the passengers." Get the idea? This last one is actually true, corporate captains are organizers foremost.
Sulako, during many interviews that I've had in the past they ask me to tell stories. "Tell me about a time when (fill in the blanks)" They are trying to see what your work ethic is, profesionalism, experiences, etc, based on a history. This is more useful to them rather than "I would" type of yarns. If you made a mistake but learned from it, it's generally OK to say that.
If you are a coffee drinker, support Sr. Juan Valdez and his family in the morning by having your cup at breakfast-- better to have the brain cells firing on all cylinders rather than showing up dopey. I just think it's a bad idea to drink coffee during the interview itself-- only makes you more nervous than you already are.
Here's an idea-- take the suit and tie you're thinking of wearing, go to a men's suit store and ask the salesman what he thinks. They are up on what is contemporary or looks-- to the wife or girlfriend or mom you might look great but it is an idea to get a more objectional opinion rather than having the CEO or department head decide that you look like death warmed over.
Generally there are two types of interviews. One type is that you have the job already-- all you have to do is put your foot in your mouth and lose the offer. The other type is that they don't think you're up to it, now you need to convince them. From the sound of it-- you might be looking at the first case scenario.
Hopefully your interview will be an enjoyable experience to you. I've run the full spectrum where the first and only question on the interview was "you probably have a lot of questions for us, so shoot." to one where I was asked to disect the aerodynamics and components of a large transport category jet. Some were friendly and casual, some were rigid or hostile. All reflected something about their companies.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
-President Ronald Reagan
LJ and XS I would hate to break the news to you but THEY ARE ALL BAD ANSWERS!
If you told me you micro manage flights, let the first officer do most of the flying, delayed getting your crew rest and took notes like a 12 year old school girl the next part of the interview would consist of a "thank you for your interest combined with a hand shake."
If you told me you micro manage flights, let the first officer do most of the flying, delayed getting your crew rest and took notes like a 12 year old school girl the next part of the interview would consist of a "thank you for your interest combined with a hand shake."
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oldncold
- Rank (9)
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- Joined: Thu May 13, 2004 11:17 am
- Location: south of 78N latitude , north of 30'latitude
jet
first get your passort application going
next it will mean flight safety which means USA background checks
and fingerprints etc. Have u been a good?
this could take 3 months unless you have served in the military recently
in which case all that stuff is on file.
and congrats if the guy is willing to stick with you on that/ then sounds like a good opportunity.
next it will mean flight safety which means USA background checks
and fingerprints etc. Have u been a good?
this could take 3 months unless you have served in the military recently
in which case all that stuff is on file.
and congrats if the guy is willing to stick with you on that/ then sounds like a good opportunity.
Not a pilot, but familiar with human psychology and something of the hunt during an interview process...
Be flippin' honest! If it's not the real "you" they're looking for, you probably wouldn't enjoy working there anyway. And bullshit can usually be spotted by good interviewers for exactly what it is.
As someone else pointed out... this is also where you get to feel out whether or not you want to work for them. Know your value and remember they're interviewing you because they need someone. If you go in feeling like you know you can help them, but haven't yet decided if they deserve you ("feeling like", NOT "showing", keep that in), that can help keep you from appearing desperate (if that might have been an issue) .... Confidence, but not arrogance.
Best of luck!
Be flippin' honest! If it's not the real "you" they're looking for, you probably wouldn't enjoy working there anyway. And bullshit can usually be spotted by good interviewers for exactly what it is.
As someone else pointed out... this is also where you get to feel out whether or not you want to work for them. Know your value and remember they're interviewing you because they need someone. If you go in feeling like you know you can help them, but haven't yet decided if they deserve you ("feeling like", NOT "showing", keep that in), that can help keep you from appearing desperate (if that might have been an issue) .... Confidence, but not arrogance.
Best of luck!
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Typhoon pilot
- Rank 2
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- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 4:32 pm
Hey Sulako,
We have never met however I have viewed most of your posts they seem to be well thought out and well presented. If that is an indicator of who you are then just be yourself, remember you are interviewing them as well.
Best of luck, let know how it goes.
Cheers
T.P
We have never met however I have viewed most of your posts they seem to be well thought out and well presented. If that is an indicator of who you are then just be yourself, remember you are interviewing them as well.
Best of luck, let know how it goes.
Cheers
T.P
Live like you will die today
Dream like you will live forever
Dream like you will live forever
Stress that aviation is all about the passengers and you'll do fine. Good luck.
"FLY THE AIRPLANE"!
http://www.youtube.com/hazatude
http://www.youtube.com/hazatude
Wow…with the exception of a few this string contains some of the worst advice I have ever read on this board. I can’t count the number of posts that slam “scumbag operators” that bullshit about everything and sell you a load of crap, yet here are the masses offering advise on how to blow the best sunshine up a potential employers ass! My advice…If you tell them that you don't mind giving head once and a while…don’t come back here complaining when they schedule it!
I would say:
-Know the company, its history
-Find out info about the interviewer (is that even a word?:oops: )
-Know the clientele they cater to (if they fly a specific type, consultants for instance, find out a bit about their lifestyle)
-read up a bit about the citation II
-Take 2 or 3 resumes with you, hidden in a clean folder or binder.
-we all know a bit about you on this board, you should do fine if you are yourself!
Best of luck, Keep us posted!
-Know the company, its history
-Find out info about the interviewer (is that even a word?:oops: )
-Know the clientele they cater to (if they fly a specific type, consultants for instance, find out a bit about their lifestyle)
-read up a bit about the citation II
-Take 2 or 3 resumes with you, hidden in a clean folder or binder.
-we all know a bit about you on this board, you should do fine if you are yourself!
Best of luck, Keep us posted!
In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield...W. BuffettHot Fuel wrote:Wow…with the exception of a few this string contains some of the worst advice I have ever read on this board.
hmmmmm.Hot Fuel wrote:My advice…If you tell them that you don't mind giving head once and a while…don’t come back here complaining when they schedule it!
Another good idea is to actually write down the questions that you have for them, and bring the list into the interview with you. When you're a little nervous in the interview, there is no way you'll have all of your questions at the ready. I had a few in my head when I went in, and was so nervous about making sure that I had the next question ready for him that I could barely concentrate on listening to the answer he gave me to the question I just asked! I don't think having a list of questions is unreasonable, and it may just make you look like you're an organized and well prepared individual. Good luck!
Shankdown
Shankdown
In that case, share with us YOUR hot interview tips.......Hot Fuel wrote:Wow…with the exception of a few this string contains some of the worst advice I have ever read on this board. I can’t count the number of posts that slam “scumbag operators” that bullshit about everything and sell you a load of crap, yet here are the masses offering advise on how to blow the best sunshine up a potential employers ass! My advice…If you tell them that you don't mind giving head once and a while…don’t come back here complaining when they schedule it!
How about being yourself...answer the questions with honesty and integrity. Tell them what you really think as opposed to what you think they want to hear. If you don't believe what you are saying...why say it? It’s not much different than telling them you have 5000 hrs when you really have 1000 hrs.
If your willing to compromise your integrity in a simple conversation about yourself, your accomplishments and future plans what’s the message to a potential employer…where’s this guy draw the line?
If your willing to compromise your integrity in a simple conversation about yourself, your accomplishments and future plans what’s the message to a potential employer…where’s this guy draw the line?
Jesus. He's rightHot Fuel wrote:How about being yourself...answer the questions with honesty and integrity. Tell them what you really think as opposed to what you think they want to hear. If you don't believe what you are saying...why say it? It’s not much different than telling them you have 5000 hrs when you really have 1000 hrs.
If your willing to compromise your integrity in a simple conversation about yourself, your accomplishments and future plans what’s the message to a potential employer…where’s this guy draw the line?
"FLY THE AIRPLANE"!
http://www.youtube.com/hazatude
http://www.youtube.com/hazatude
