Interview with WMU

[saxman66]

I did a phone interview for Western Michigan Univ. for a CFI position. Not sure if I got it yet, but here's the down low.

I was on speaker to two people. They explained the job and the pay. It's a weekly stipend plus $10 per hour for the first semester. It sounds a little low, but at $16 per hour without a stipend it ends up being the same amount. Also there is a 6 month contract. Although there were no real benefits, they do pay for proficiency flights, CFI renewel and a 2nd class medical.

It was general an HR interview. Started off with saying general things about myself. They asked when I got my CFI's. I said '04, '05 for CFII and currently getting MEI. It didn't seem they liked that I hadn't ever taught anyone before. They wondered why I hadn't tried at UND, and I explained how UND only hires once or twice a year and I ended up on the low end the last time. Something that also got me was the amount of flying I've done in the past 12 months......not much. Last year I was on an unpaid internship, then didn't have the money to fly much. Took the CRJ ftd course last fall, and flew once to stay current. Decided to take MEI to stay profficient.

They asked about my 3 strengths and weaknesses....damn, I thought about my strengths, but not about the weaknesses.....make sure I've thought of THREE weaknesses for next time. I was able to think of a couple. They said it was ok. Asked what I knew about WMU. I explained about getting SR-20's and 22's and mentioned I had 20 hours in one. They asked what kinda engine was in it. I tried to remember....Lycoming, 200 hp. I looked up later...wrong...Continental. Hopefully that won't be held against me.

Finished with flight and driving history. Any tickets, accidents...etc. Asked if I was fired ever from a job. I explained so. And that was about it.

Didn't get any feedback, but thought I did alright. Probably not my best, but certainly not the worst. I'll find out in a week.

Chris

[bwade210]

Good luck...hope you get it!

[slamma1906]

Originally Posted by saxman66

I did a phone interview for Western Michigan Univ. for a CFI position. Not sure if I got it yet, but here's the down low.

I was on speaker to two people. They explained the job and the pay. It's a weekly stipend plus $10 per hour for the first semester. It sounds a little low, but at $16 per hour without a stipend it ends up being the same amount. Also there is a 6 month contract. Although there were no real benefits, they do pay for proficiency flights, CFI renewel and a 2nd class medical.

It was general an HR interview. Started off with saying general things about myself. They asked when I got my CFI's. I said '04, '05 for CFII and currently getting MEI. It didn't seem they liked that I hadn't ever taught anyone before. They wondered why I hadn't tried at UND, and I explained how UND only hires once or twice a year and I ended up on the low end the last time. Something that also got me was the amount of flying I've done in the past 12 months......not much. Last year I was on an unpaid internship, then didn't have the money to fly much. Took the CRJ ftd course last fall, and flew once to stay current. Decided to take MEI to stay profficient.

They asked about my 3 strengths and weaknesses....damn, I thought about my strengths, but not about the weaknesses.....make sure I've thought of THREE weaknesses for next time. I was able to think of a couple. They said it was ok. Asked what I knew about WMU. I explained about getting SR-20's and 22's and mentioned I had 20 hours in one. They asked what kinda engine was in it. I tried to remember....Lycoming, 200 hp. I looked up later...wrong...Continental. Hopefully that won't be held against me.

Finished with flight and driving history. Any tickets, accidents...etc. Asked if I was fired ever from a job. I explained so. And that was about it.

Didn't get any feedback, but thought I did alright. Probably not my best, but certainly not the worst. I'll find out in a week.

Chris

I'm here now, attrition is little slow now, transition to the SR-2X's. I know there is a class set in may, not sure of what else is going on. They will need more this summer, I know i'm leaving next week and a few others

[saxman66]

Well I didn't get the job. I wasn't quite sure if I was taking it anyway. The good thing I don't have to decide on it anymore, and I learned what I did wrong.

Pretty much the interview was not great. He said the main thing was the fact that I've been a CFI for two years but never used the privilages. I explained that I still had a year to go at UND and I was very busy with classes and band which is very important to me. Plus UND only hires once or twice a year. I also couldn't try because of my internship with AA. The one time I did try after returning from AA, I didn't get because I was a little unprofficient and the competition was pretty tough.

So, does this concearn me for future interviews? Yes! Somehow I have to get around this thing that I haven't flown much and just out to get ratings. I have to turn this around. It is very important to me to be busy with other non-flying activities, besides flying nonstop, and just being a "prop-head" all the time.

I mean we all have to start somewhere right? This is why I'm getting my MEI. Not just to have another rating but to be profiecient in teaching and flying. Guess I'll know this for next time.

[Bandit_Driver]

Originally Posted by saxman66

Well I didn't get the job. I wasn't quite sure if I was taking it anyway. The good thing I don't have to decide on it anymore, and I learned what I did wrong.

Pretty much the interview was not great. He said the main thing was the fact that I've been a CFI for two years but never used the privilages. I explained that I still had a year to go at UND and I was very busy with classes and band which is very important to me. Plus UND only hires once or twice a year. I also couldn't try because of my internship with AA. The one time I did try after returning from AA, I didn't get because I was a little unprofficient and the competition was pretty tough.

So, does this concearn me for future interviews? Yes! Somehow I have to get around this thing that I haven't flown much and just out to get ratings. I have to turn this around. It is very important to me to be busy with other non-flying activities, besides flying nonstop, and just being a "prop-head" all the time.

I mean we all have to start somewhere right? This is why I'm getting my MEI. Not just to have another rating but to be profiecient in teaching and flying. Guess I'll know this for next time.

I wouldn't worry about WMU too much. Their hiring process can be political. On future interviews I wouldn't mention about being not proficient. That will put doubts in the interviewer's head. The other points you made were good.

I can't see how they can fault you on concentrating on your degree and for taking the AA internship.

Just remember interviewing is a game. The more you play the better you will become.