Any advice on corporate interviews?

[superfreight208]

Any recommendations for a interview prep for a corporate company? Been flying regionals for a couple years and want to do corporate flying.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Any recommendations for a interview prep for a corporate company? Been flying regionals for a couple years and want to do corporate flying.

Erase that entire "prep" concept from your mind. You do not want to interview like a robot.

- Have a personality. I have done a lot of interviews and nothing worse than someone leaving after 2hrs and we had no idea what they were like. I cringe when your hobbies are reading and flying. Seriously? Internet porn and recreational drugs might not be the best answer...but again, dont be a sterile stranger. Were going to spend a week or 2 on the road sometimes, I gotta know if you are a pud or not.

- Loosen up a bit. Pilots often have sticks up their a$$es. I don't mean be a clown, but don't be afraid (again) to have a personality. This cant be stressed enough. If we laugh here or there, don't worry...its not a setup. Go with it, lol. There's no "trick" questions...and if I was ever asked any I'd really NOT want to work there anyhow. Pay attention and get a feel of how YOU would fit in under the managers in a larger department. There's some real winners running aviation departments, sometimes they are the ones who have sat around the office for years (oddballs), got there by default and can be a little, well, sheltered.....thats not everywhere, but choose wisely as to where you would fit in and think about who your boss will be and what tone he sets in the department.

- Be able to back up your stated experience. "Co-Captain" means gear yanker to me. Call it what you want just don't leave your PIC time in a grey area. Its important to me to know you have been in charge of something and made decisions. Im not going to ask you to draw an electrical system, but I will possibly ask you about some tougher trips, destinations you have done in your plane as a Captain. I will also like to hear how you interact with high level execs (duh...)

- Know the operation you are interviewing at. I have honestly sat there overlooking 4-5 of the longest range airplanes in corporate flying in our hangar and had people tell me "I dont really like longer trips"....(how about 12-13hr legs?) WTF people? Do your research on the basics of the company, its culture, its future, etc.

- DO NOT hesitate to ask about the job!...get a good feel for days worked, length of trips, office expectations, etc etc. There are perfectly fine ways to ask these. Any decent place will lay these expectations out early as to not waste time. I ALWAYS talked money range, vacation, benefits, and showed candidates our entire schedule for the year on the first interview. Nothing shows the truth better than a 6month view of FOS for the entire fleet/department. Take a good look, here's what we do. I'm not into wasting your time, or more importantly, mine!

- Be neat and polite (you would be surprised) Everyone is watching you. You will meet all levels of the department from maint to dispatch to managers. Again, be human...once settled in don't hesitate to lose the jacket, loosen the tie, and relax a bit...calm the nerves. LET ME TALK. Nervous people chat, and its expected that you will be slightly nervous...but please just shut the F up and listen when we talk, LOL.

- Your goal is to come across as a confident, yet not cocky, Captain. That's what everyone would like to hire.

You can prep a resume and a new suit, but you cant prep a personality.

Good Luck!





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[BoilerUP]

G200's experience is far greater to mine, but I think he's spot on. And having done the regional-to-corporate transition myself...

Have a personality, be able to laugh at yourself, be confident in your experience & abilities, and tell me why you want to work for MY COMPANY. It can be financial, it can be lifestyle, it can be stability (ha), it can be location...just give me a reason that doesn't involve "I got fired and need something to pay the bills" or "I'm looking for a change".

Turnover & career progression exists in every industry, and I'd never fault somebody for leaving for a "better" job...but if during an interview I get the impression you are going to bolt for the next set of keys jingled in your face, I'm probably going to be hesitant to hire you.

Humility and a desire to serve our passengers is vital. You don't have to be a kiss-ass, but you need to understand the basic expectations of the job and perform those without whining or attitude. Some airline guys try to "say the right things", but you can't bullsh!t a bullsh!tter and most corporate pilots can easily read between the lines.

Once you reach a certain amount of flight experience its assumed you know how to fly any type of airplane - its always about personality.

 

[CorpCaptain]

Well stated above. Only thing I would add is to ask for a business card from EVERY person you come in contact with before/during/after the interview. Not only does it show your sincere interest, but will allow you to continue networking if you arent chosen for the position. By the end of the evening I had sat in my hotel room and handwritten a thank you note to each person who took the time out to speak with me, from the Director of Aviation to the front desk secretary. To this day, the secretary always puts me through to whoever is available in the office! Good luck!

 

[hawkerflyer]

What they said. Be yourself and find out what you can about your potential employer. These gigs are 100% personality and work ethic.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Well stated above. Only thing I would add is to ask for a business card from EVERY person you come in contact with before/during/after the interview. Not only does it show your sincere interest, but will allow you to continue networking if you arent chosen for the position. By the end of the evening I had sat in my hotel room and handwritten a thank you note to each person who took the time out to speak with me, from the Director of Aviation to the front desk secretary. To this day, the secretary always puts me through to whoever is available in the office! Good luck!

Yes, good idea.

Never paid much attention to them, but it does make people stand out. Even if they fell into the "not this time but we will save your resume" I always threw the cards/notes in their folders.

Follow up is critical. I cant stress how many times someone didn't get hired due to stronger candidates but they kept in touch consistently (updated a resume every 6 months or so or called etc) and then landed the next opening.

If its really a place you want to work, keep at em..I would never tell someone "hey, continue to update your resume if you remain interested" if they were not in the running.

 

[bizjet800]

Great thread! We had a guy come in and did well on the interview. We sent him to meet the pilots and the girl at the FBO said, "Who is that guy?" We dug deeper and she said he was kind of arrogant and cocky. The pilots even said the same thing before they found out about his FBO conduct. EVERYONE is watching, you may ask why but we have such a small amount of time to get to know you so we look for everything.

I would even take it a step further and make sure you are driving courteously at all times, make sure your car is clean and neat. They might ask you to drive to lunch or to a hangar to see the plane, what if your car is a complete mess? I'd say that's how you are going to treat the airplane. If you drive a POS car then borrow a nicer one.

It today's corporate world, its all about extra duties. If you are just a pilot, you may not set yourself apart from the competition. I'm not sure what extra duties are in the airline world, but if you have done extra things like helping with manual revisions, doing safety meetings, helping with internal/external/ISO/Wyvern/ISBAO audits, then you'd have a clear advantage.

We have guys come in for interviews that don't bring their resume. They'll say, I sent it last week, don't you have it? Then me or someone has to make copies. Remember, you're one of hundreds of resumes, bring copies!

Remember, it's about what you offer them, not the other way around. Make sure you have stories about how you went above and beyond the call of duty. Be honest, they may ask why you want to leave a regional, they KNOW its lousy pay and schedules.

 

[superfreight208]

Thanks everybody!!

 

[HalinTexas]

The next trick is finding out who's hiring/interviewing. The DFW/N. Texas corp. aviation community is exceptionally tight. Tough (networking) nut to crack.

Then there's the getting the invite to an interview.

 

[CorpCaptain]

Biz reminded me of something else.....I made sure that I had a 3 ring binder to have copies of everything relevent. I had all my training records, copies of drivers license/medical/pilot license, recommendation letters, resume updated to that day, everything. Hell, I even had my most recent drug test screening in there. That way when I met the Director of Aviation he simply handed the entire binder to whichever Director was interviewing me next. It will save them alot of time and show them you're not some dips*it that isn't completely prepared.

 

[superfreight208]

How about technical stuff? I've been reviewing far/aim, atp studyguides and anything else I can find.

 

[BoilerUP]

How about technical stuff? I've been reviewing far/aim, atp studyguides and anything else I can find.

If you're being considered for a corporate job with multiple years flying at a 121 regional, it should kinda be assumed you know how to brief a Jepp plate or explain a hydraulic system.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

How about technical stuff? I've been reviewing far/aim, atp studyguides and anything else I can find.

BoilerUp is right.

You are thinking along the airline interview scenario again....I never asked someone a technical question on an interview. I know I can learn a lot more about your stated experience by asking you about trips you ran and where you went, problems encountered, etc. To many of those "tell me about your airplanes fuel system" (with a smirk) type questions would scare me during an interview as my impression would be that the guy interviewing me is the far too common passive-aggressive no life aviation manager......as next thing he is dying to say is "well in the GULFSTREAM we do it this way"....:erm:

A sim ride (expect one) brings out everything about you and your cockpit/interpersonal skills. I could care less if you can draw an electrical system, hell I know I can't....but 4 mins into a sim ride I can tell if your skills and experience match what you claim. You would be surprised how meek and underconfident someone who CLAIMS to have a lot of Captain time can be, right from the initial departure briefing.

anyhow....FWIW the trend in corporate has gone somewhat away from memorized system knowledge, as was common in the past. Of course its best to get some background on the specific company you are interviewing with, as who knows what their process is?

 

[WestSide]

Great thread everyone, thanks. I do have a few other questions on this subject. Who else can you expect to interview with besides the Director of Aviation. Is it usually the case that during the interview they are 99% trying to get to know you as a person and whether or not you'll fit in with the department?

"A sim ride (expect one) brings out everything about you and your cockpit/interpersonal skills."

Are we talking about a Frasca at the local FBO or a level D sim at FSI or something similar?

If you do not meet every single job requirement listed in the job descriptio, do they waive some if they really want to hire you?

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Great thread everyone, thanks. I do have a few other questions on this subject. Who else can you expect to interview with besides the Director of Aviation. Is it usually the case that during the interview they are 99% trying to get to know you as a person and whether or not you'll fit in with the department?

"A sim ride (expect one) brings out everything about you and your cockpit/interpersonal skills."

Are we talking about a Frasca at the local FBO or a level D sim at FSI or something similar?

If you do not meet every single job requirement listed in the job description, do they waive some if they really want to hire you?

I guess the sim thing may depend on the job and location. We always use a FSI sim at the closest training center. You are not expected to know the airplane, one of our guys will sit in the right seat and handle all that...you just have to show that your experience matches what you claim. Can you run a cockpit in a confident, efficient, and personable way or are you weak or a Napoleon type pilot d-bag?...very easy to tell. Unless I flew with someone in the past, I'd never hire anyone without seeing a quick sim ride (or a flight?) We just happen to have 2 sim centers within an hour or so.

As far as the published job requirements? - FWIW I don't think I have ever met all of them at any job I looked at. Everyone would like to find a highly experienced, type rated, current, local, great guy but that does not happen most of the time. If you want the job and are qualified, apply.

Believe it or not, it's VERY hard to find good, qualified people who are available, even over the last few years.

 

[LJ45]

HR can get involved, esp. with the larger companies.

 

[CorpCaptain]

Believe it or not, it's VERY hard to find good, qualified people who are available, even over the last few years.

Had a company I interviewed with that flew GIV/GV and Challenger 300s. They had 20-25 pilots who were typed and current in all 3 aircraft. Over 750 resumes came in. Hired a guy out of a citation 500 and zero international experience. But he was a great fit, so it worked out perfectly for the dept. G, you guys have a instructor do the run through @ FSI or do you have a company check airman that has been signed off to run it? Our company is flirting with sending one of our company instructors down to DFW to get checked out in the sim to give 293/297's. Thanks-

 

[WestSide]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when it comes to corporate jobs, 99% of the interview is whether or not you'll fit in with the pilot group and their culture, and it doesn't matter so much whether or not your typed in their planes and hove tons of PIC time?

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when it comes to corporate jobs, 99% of the interview is whether or not you'll fit in with the pilot group and their culture, and it doesn't matter so much whether or not your typed in their planes and hove tons of PIC time?

I guess its really not that simple?.....you need a certain level of experience...but the type rating is not a real concern. For example, if you have 5 years of PIC time in Globals you will adapt just fine to a G550 etc. When looking for a more entry level SIC then its all about attitude as one may not expect or care about your Intl experience if you are coming from a Citation or a Hawker etc...the flying part (any airplane) is easy and is learned quick in a fast moving department, but attitude can't be taught.

CorpCaptain - we have done it both ways...run the sim ourselves or have an instructor do it. Depends who was avail on our end the day of the sim ride. I suppose the situation varies with your relationship w your center. I know nothing about the sim with the airplane I currently fly (and have no desire to learn) so would be happy just to ride right seat.

 

[CorpCaptain]

Thanks for the info.

I know nothing about the sim with the airplane I currently fly (and have no desire to learn) so would be happy just to ride right seat.

Right seat? What do you know about right seats? I didn't even know they built right seats in SAV

 

[AbOvo]

This is a great thread! I have been in contact with a department for the last three years that I'd love to work for and I'm hoping something will come to fruition in the next year. The interview process echoes everything said here so far, HR interview to get in the door, hangar tour with the department manager, meet & greet with the pilots/techs/dispatchers, and finally a sim ride. Each of these steps has quite a bit of time between them and I'm sure at least part of it is to gauge genuine interest. On top of that every person in the department weighs in on the decision to hire a pilot.

Well known flight departments must get a 100 random resumes a month just from the aircraft registration database. Without this process who's to say which people would be a good fit?

 

[WestSide]

If you are lucky enough to get the nod, how long does it usually take from getting invited for an interview until your start date?

 

[AbOvo]

I think most of these companies won't go into the actual interview stage until they are actually ready to hire someone. In my case I am in a holding pattern after my hangar tour until they are ready to hire, then I will be among the people who come in to meet the rest of the employee group in the department which is the actual interview. Maybe a month if everything is successful and training slots are available?

 

[Gulfstream 200]

If you are lucky enough to get the nod, how long does it usually take from getting invited for an interview until your start date?

Getting a handful of people interviewed (2X) and sim rides for a final few candidates can take many weeks, sometimes a few months....schedules have to mesh, etc. Keep in mind even manager/pilots still fly when needed.

Doing interviews is a real PITA, as you still have NO IDEA what you got until 1-2 years later...but most would agree you have to take the time to try and match someone as best you can, because every department is different. Its a painful process.

So from first interview to start date could easily be 3-4 months (?) in a large department that's staffing for planned vacancies.

 

[WestSide]

When interviewing for a large company that flies 3-4 planes, how many interviews can you expect with how many different people? i.e. HR, Director of Aviation, meeting members of the flight department, etc.... Do most places also do personality tests or something similar?

 

[Gulfstream 200]

When interviewing for a large company that flies 3-4 planes, how many interviews can you expect with how many different people? i.e. HR, Director of Aviation, meeting members of the flight department, etc.... Do most places also do personality tests or something similar?

1-3? Plan on meeting everyone? Maybe?

I think the theme here is that it really varies from department to department?

You have now officially used up all your questions.

 

[rondo]

How about technical stuff? I've been reviewing far/aim, atp studyguides and anything else I can find.

There not gonna ask you any of that crap. They just want to see if they can stomach you for a 5 day trip. You also need to read situations with owner/execs very fast. 10% of the job is flying (you have that down) you need to focus on the other 90% (personality, politics etc.

 

[LJ45]

There not gonna ask you any of that crap. They just want to see if they can stomach you for a 5 day trip. You also need to read situations with owner/execs very fast. 10% of the job is flying (you have that down) you need to focus on the other 90% (personality, politics etc.

My personal experience (interview with a major fortune 50 flight department) they did ask "technical stuff".

 

[superfreight208]

Not Hired.

I didn't get it. Didn't get past the phone interview. Mostly hr questions and backround experience. No international time, type rating, or corporate experience a big negative. It's a great company and I'll keep trying! Might go back to cargo to get international time, maybe get a type on the way!

 

[LJ45]

I didn't get it. Didn't get past the phone interview. Mostly hr questions and backround experience. No international time, type rating, or corporate experience a big negative. It's a great company and I'll keep trying! Might go back to cargo to get international time, maybe get a type on the way!

good attitude, better luck next time.