Interview tips

[oppita]

Hi guys/girls..
I´m over visiting from the jetgirls site...and I would be really greatfull if you could give me some tips/suggestion about what to read/study etc. for interview for an airline.
The technical part is covered, what´s not so clear what kind of quality/personality airlines are looking for. We are just through 1st serious selection process and...no he didn´t land the job...so some serious preparation awaits.

I was looking over the net at amazon.com for books so I can help my BF with interview preparation... and found this one:
Checklist for Success: A Pilot's Guide to the Successful Airline Interview (Professional Aviation series) (Paperback)
by Cheryl A. Cage

What do you think about this? Is it just a waste of time and money..? other tips?

Thanks again.

[surreal1221]

Does he have a pulse?

Hired!!!111



Some here on JC think that a pulse is the minimum requirement these days, hence my comment.

Any book is worth it's weight. I'd get it, use it, and then pay it forward.

[zmiller4]

Originally Posted by oppita

I was looking over the net at amazon.com for books so I can help my BF with interview preparation... and found this one:
Checklist for Success: A Pilot's Guide to the Successful Airline Interview (Professional Aviation series) (Paperback)
by Cheryl A. Cage

What do you think about this? Is it just a waste of time and money..? other tips?

It's funny you should mention that...a good friend of mine flies for Continental and has *vast* interview experience (flew for 2 regionals, a cargo 747 operator and is on her 2nd major after being furloughed) and she highly recommended that book. I'm personally a little skeptical--I kind of think that they can tell when you've prepped yourself for an HR portion and aren't necessarily being yourself. My friend really likes the book, though, and it's probably worth it if it's not too expensive. Most of the people I know prep for interviews by simply by reading aviationinterviews.com and flying sims.

[oppita]

Thanks zmiller4...

from own experience ( I´m not in aviation business myself, in engineering)
I know that some prep is needed...there is a huge difference how I conducted the interview prepared and not prepared :-) I´m not good at selling myself, neither I´m extrovert, and that´s why for me the preparation is a key. ( and my BF is worse than me).

Anyway, this is not about me, I just think that my BF need some help here. From what he told me,( question and so on), they were doing some kind of "behavioural interview", means asking about how he conducted himself in past to predict his future reaction. E.g. Tell us about the problem situation you dealt with in last month...so he goes and tell about aborted take-off... He is honest and he ´s himself...but seeing the interview outcome, it´s not enough with only theoretical knowledge of aviation.
I don´t want him to lie on interviews...I think just more he knows about what´s expects him, more relaxed he will be..

FYI , we are in spain and there is small amount ( one or two) airlines that actually do the selection process...all others just "take in" on recomendation ( whatever that recommendation can cost).
They had 300 applications, 250 passed to the aviation, english and psyco tests. Then 106 went to interviews. Sim check is the last and they took in only 40...and my BF was not one of them...
It´s not end of the world, but if there is something we can do to improve...we certainly will at least try it.

Thanks again...


P.S. We don´t know why he was not asked to go further, so we can only make assumption..maybe lack of jet experience..maybe there were people with much more experience ..bla..bla..:-)

[phoenix 23684]

Oppita,

Don't concern too much as to why he didn't make it, could have been many things, more qualified people, quota, etc. You'll probably never know. My advice that book will def help him.
I had many different interviews, aviation and non. The key is good preparation. Nice suit, groomed appearance and friendliness are very important. Remember most of our communication is non-verbal. Being very positive, honest and sincere will go a long way, don't memorize answers rather think of what they could ask and have the situation in mind before hand. i.e. what are your biggest strengths/weaknesses, think of a problem and how did you solve it. Don't memorize what you'll say but know what you'll say. Show confidence, if there are more than one person interviewing you make sure you make eye contact with the entire panel. Watch their body language and adjust yours to theirs. They are looking at you as someone they want to have around, that's the biggest secret.
As for the technical/sim portion of the interview study, study, study know as much as you can and show them that you know, in the sim the biggest thing is not that you know how to do it all but that you listen and are teachable. If the sim instructor asks for 3000 ft and 150 kts give him exactly 3000 ft and 150 kts or at least show him you are trying to get there.
Lastly, don't give up keep at it until you get in.

Good luck