Scenic Interview Question

[ManBehr]

I got a date for an interview with Scenic next month (after Halloween, I think I need to take a loan just to get there and stay there, good lord). This is my first interview so I am excited but mostly nervous. Have gone over all the gouges and am fine with all that. I still have a lot of prep to do but as everyone knows we can prepare forever and still not feel ready, we are our own worst critic. Anyways, for those who have gone through the process. I am going to do the sim prep. This may be a random question but is there any dress code expected during this, besides not looking like a bum? Newb minds want to know

Anything else to help me would be great too! Thanks.

[JaceTheAce]

Dress attire: Obviously wear a suit. Don't wear anything with red in it. Red symbolizes "hazard" and "caution". (The idea of the blue shirt/red tie is complete crap). Wear a light blue shirt - blue signifies loyalty and trust. Color psychology is very important in the interview process. Ties are also important - a tie with a simple symmetrical pattern signifies that you are organized and efficient. This is coming out of an interview book I read when I took a career class.

Grooming: Make sure you get a haircut a week before the interview so that any potential haircut disasters can even out during that time. Shave too... take off the goatee, sideburns, and mustache

Cologne: Do not wear cologne or any other fragrance that smells.

Sometime during the interview process, find an opportunity to bring up your hobbies and extra curricular activities. This will often lead into you telling a very interesting story about your hobbies that will intrigue the interviewer. You'll be surprised with how much this conversation will calm your nerves and even lead the interviewer to "seal the deal" in hiring you.

Last, treat it as a casual conversation with an author who wants to do a biography on you... you don't need to put on a professional facade as it can make your more tense and nervous. Be yourself - they are trying to evaluate your personality and how you interact with new people - so being yourself and being relaxed should make you appear more favorable in this respect.

[DE727UPS]

PM Pilot602

[jtrain609]

Interviewed with Scenic about 2 months ago, didn't get the job. There were 4 of us that did the interview; three instructors and one guy from a VFR 135 gig up in Washington. One of the instructors was let go after the written. And a note about that written exam; you can't study for it, it's impossible. You literally need to know EVERYTHING on the ATP written. Everybody will tell you "It has this or that on it!" but the test is done on a computer and EVERY test is different, it draws randomly from a pool of questions. And not all the answers are stock ATP written exam questions. I can't explain this to you any better; be ready to take the ATP written when you walk in that door. Interestingly enough the only guy to fail had already taken the ATP written and got a 98% on it.

Me and the other instructor left didn't get the job, only the 135 guy with 1,800 hours was offered a position. It's a good gig if you're low time, but if you're close to 135 minimums go freight, and if you can head out to a better regional if you can.

The interview is kind of a ball busting exercise. They'll try to get you going during the HR interview to see how you react to them. Don't let them get to you, the last thing you want to do is blow up at them. In my opinion, the HR portion of the interview was very unprofessional and I didn't appreciate being berated by the guys doing the interviewing. I had a MUCH better interview experience at the company I ended up at, and it really put the Scenic interview in a new light once I was all done with intervewing at regionals.

And yes, PM pilot602.

[C150J]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Shave too... take off the goatee, sideburns, and mustache

I really agree with this, silly or not. To me, an interviewee with sideburns infers an attitude. Maybe once you're MikeD they're okay, but I don't plan on growing them anytime soon.

Also, Jtrain makes an good point about confrontational interviews. When I was involved with law enforcement (a field known for confrontational interviews and paramilitary academies). Make sure such treatment ENDS once you're on the job by talking to those employed there. I personally tend to appreciate employers (like my current one) that treated me very professionally during my interview - even when they asked HARD questions about my qualifications. However, if lasting through a rough interview meant a great job at the other end, I'd do it.


J.

[B767Driver]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Dress attire: Obviously wear a suit. Don't wear anything with red in it. Red symbolizes "hazard" and "caution". (The idea of the blue shirt/red tie is complete crap). Wear a light blue shirt - blue signifies loyalty and trust. Color psychology is very important in the interview process. Ties are also important - a tie with a simple symmetrical pattern signifies that you are organized and efficient. This is coming out of an interview book I read when I took a career class.

.

Man, when I used to sit on interview boards I was only trying to assess if the guy could make it through initial training. Wouldn't have had a clue what he was wearing unless it was blue jeans or something off the wall. After the interview...I'd take the guys to the sim evaluation...and told them they weren't around HR types anymore...so take off the tie...get comfortable and fly a good sim profile. But I wouldn't let your formal behavior stray to casual unless specifically told so.

Several years ago I interviewed and received a job offer from ATA. (Took a different job instead.) After the HR stuff...they were very informal and casual. The sim guys actually took you to dinner and bought you all the beer you wanted. It was like being on a layover. (Actually, the gouge was...it was an interview to see how you behaved on layovers. Was this the type of guy you could spend 4 or 5 days with?)

But you're probably right...to somebody out there that dress code stuff means something.

[slushie]

Many companies ask the killer questions first. Like..."Tell us about yourself." or "What is your greatest strength/weakness."

But at Scenic the first question is either "Do you mind sharing a one bedroom apartment with 5 grown men?" or "What is your favorite flavor of ramen?"

[ManBehr]

Originally Posted by slushie

"What is your favorite flavor of ramen?"

Chicken flavor.

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by B767Driver

Man, when I used to sit on interview boards I was only trying to assess if the guy could make it through initial training. Wouldn't have had a clue what he was wearing unless it was blue jeans or something off the wall. After the interview...I'd take the guys to the sim evaluation...and told them they weren't around HR types anymore...so take off the tie...get comfortable and fly a good sim profile. But I wouldn't let your formal behavior stray to casual unless specifically told so.

Several years ago I interviewed and received a job offer from ATA. (Took a different job instead.) After the HR stuff...they were very informal and casual. The sim guys actually took you to dinner and bought you all the beer you wanted. It was like being on a layover. (Actually, the gouge was...it was an interview to see how you behaved on layovers. Was this the type of guy you could spend 4 or 5 days with?)

But you're probably right...to somebody out there that dress code stuff means something.

Re: bolded item... that's because it's often subconcious

[FlyboyZR1]

Study the best you can, wear a suit and be yourself and you will be fine. If you want it bad enough they will see that and it will work out. If you have any questions about the company PM me.

[pilot602]

I wore a black suit, light blue striped shirt and a pure, plain red tie to my Scenic interview ... got the job.

Wore the same suit and tie but a white pilot shirt (I jumpseated into and out of the interview) to the SkyWest interview ... got the job.

As far as the Scenic interview goes the single biggest reason people fail out is they underestimate it. It is a REAL interview. But, like jtrain pointed out they do have a habbit of getting confrontational in the interview. Just ride with it ... it's their way of seeing if you can handle an oddball captain for three turns to the canyon in 120F heat. It's lame but that's how they do it.

[ManBehr]

Thanks a lot everyone. Appreciate the help. Will share the details upon completion.