Holly crap, interview with Southwest..Help!!!

[JimNtexas]

This is in no way a critical comment, I'm justwondering about bustingmins observations that in one interview "They were curious about my job history, my family and the life I had outside of the flight deck".

Are questions about "family and the life I had outside the flight deck" typical in airline interviews?

I ask because I occasionally interview for positions in the non-aviation world for engineering and accounting type jobs.

I have always been told to never, ever, ask personal questions about the interviewees family, and to be very careful about asking about his non-work related pastimes. I've been told by employment lawyers that the further you stray from strictly work related topics in the interview, the more you invite lawsuits from both the people you pass over and the ones you hire.

Is airline hiring different than the tech and accounting fields in this respect? Do airline interviewees typically get asked about their family, hobbies, and other non-work related parts of their life?

 

[Benhuntn]

1st Bustinmins you really came on strong in the self defense mode....wow I can't believe how many times you said "#1 choice". You convinced me you will never really be at your #1.

As for interviews well it goes both ways...I interviewed at FedEx and it was awful for me. I think it is a great company and I could have been happy there but they didn't like me either. My interviewers were rude and actually got up in the middle of the interview and started for the door with me still sitting there. I never looked back...just forward....Bustin I think you are still looking back.

 

[bustinmins]

3 posts defending yourself. Did not expect that. Now you probably won't answer this but will ask anyway. Where are you working right now. PM me if you don't want other to know. I won't tell....promise. Is it your number #1 or are you still in a pool. I assume it is FedEx based on the little color I can see on th 72. I think you wanted SWA more than you tell us because you would not have said anything had you really did not want to go there. Do you see anyone talking about a regional they did not go to?

I wasn't defending anything but rather informing you and answering your question with too much detail. Truthfully, I didn't want SWA. I would have taken it over my previous position but not over the one that I am in now. I won't answer your question directly either privately or publically.

I think this is just one of those instances where you can't see the voice or inflection behind the written word. No animosity here and there is certainly no hard feelings toward SWA. I just know that SWA wasn't my first choice. That was reaffirmed after having attended the interview. Mind you, as it was said by someone else, I don't think SWA is a bad place to be. It just isn't the best place for me. The blondes/brunette comment was right on the money.

You all have a Happy Holiday.

XYV

 

[bustinmins]

This is in no way a critical comment, I'm justwondering about bustingmins observations that in one interview "They were curious about my job history, my family and the life I had outside of the flight deck".

Are questions about "family and the life I had outside the flight deck" typical in airline interviews?

I ask because I occasionally interview for positions in the non-aviation world for engineering and accounting type jobs.

I have always been told to never, ever, ask personal questions about the interviewees family, and to be very careful about asking about his non-work related pastimes. I've been told by employment lawyers that the further you stray from strictly work related topics in the interview, the more you invite lawsuits from both the people you pass over and the ones you hire.

Is airline hiring different than the tech and accounting fields in this respect? Do airline interviewees typically get asked about their family, hobbies, and other non-work related parts of their life?

There were never direct questions asked but I volunteered the information in an explanation. They asked a few follow-ups and asked some general questions but nothing that was out of line. I volunteered that I was active in my community etc. I also mentioned that my girfriend were involved in these activities as well as many others. I mentioned them. It's important at some carriers that you express this because they aren't looking for the guy who wants to live at the airport or in their planes.

 

[bustinmins]

1st Bustinmins you really came on strong in the self defense mode....wow I can't believe how many times you said "#1 choice". You convinced me you will never really be at your #1.

As for interviews well it goes both ways...I interviewed at FedEx and it was awful for me. I think it is a great company and I could have been happy there but they didn't like me either. My interviewers were rude and actually got up in the middle of the interview and started for the door with me still sitting there. I never looked back...just forward....Bustin I think you are still looking back.

Nope - not at all. Have a great one.

 

[Phaedrus]

Can someone here please tell me what my #1 choice is?

 

[canyonblue]

I appreciate their jumpseats, and they seem to like the 75% off shipping--especially on the holidays.

You mean this...............

FedEx Places Embargo on Discounted Holiday Shipping from December 16-22. During this time FedEx will not honor our employee discounts.

 

[no1pilot2000]

Be yourself during the interview! Be straight forward and don't tell them anymore or less during the interview. Keep it simple.

 

[Mud Eagle]

My interviewers were rude and actually got up in the middle of the interview and started for the door with me still sitting there.

Wow...

"So, I guess that's a 'no' then?"

 

[kman]

You mean this...............

FedEx Places Embargo on Discounted Holiday Shipping from December 16-22. During this time FedEx will not honor our employee discounts.

maybe the pax jumpseats should have emargo as well? j/k fedex guys i know u guys had nothing to do with that.

 

[Oh-ryan]

I wanted to leave the door open at SWA for a future interview should something happen at my #1 carrier. I was interviewing SWA as they were me. I wasn't impressed with SWA in comparison to my #1 choice. Sure, they had a nice lunch room but there is more to a good airline than a good view when I eat. My #1 choice welcomed me in and made me feel "at home". They treated me with respect and didn't utter a single negative word. They were curious about my job history, my family and the life I had outside of the flight deck. I never got that sense at SWA. I'm not slamming SWA but rather just commenting on my experience. I'm sure if I hadn't interviewed at my #1 carrier, I never would have noticed the subtle differences. However, they were very bold differences in comparison. I felt as welcomed at the SWA interview as a visiting team feels on game day.

Personally, it just wasn't the place for me. However, it was better than where I was working and would have worked for me if my #1 carrier hadn't given me the nod. SWA was in my top three choices and it was a steady #3.

XYV

Whoa there. We've established that FedEx was your #1 choice, but I am gonna have put this statement of yours into context... I don't doubt that the actual FedEx interviewers gave you a warm reception, however let's not forget the process to actually get an interview at FedEx. They aren't exactly standing out in front of the AOC with arms wide open, welcoming anyone and everyone. I don't have a problem at all with it, but I think SWA has an interview selection process that's a little more receptive to the general pilot population. Yes, I know they favor folks with a 737 type, but they do interview folks without it. At FedEx, the only reason why they made you feel "at home", showed you any respect or were curious about your family/career is because you had a sponsor. Without one, you are just another guy who paid 50 bucks to apply.

I don't have issues with the hiring process at either airline, but I just think a little perspective needed to be shed on your image of FedEx showing you more love than SWA.

 

[puddlejumper101]

do your homework on SWA...and if you know someone at SWA ask them about the first part of the FOM. The intro on it is exactly what Southwest looks for in a pilot. Reading it helps in understading what they look for. Definately learn about SWA...especially their culture.

 

[mdf]

Start thinking of things that happened during your career. Your going to need to tell stories, and you don't want to be staring at the ceiling. My experience was the opposite of bustingmins. The best I was ever treated at any interview.