Applying Without Mins?

[rwelch]

Just looking for some helpful thoughts on filling out some online apps, e-mailing, and faxing resumes without meeting the stated minimums. ie:Jetblue, Southwest, Frontier, America West


First, I got my former corporate job by applying before meeting the mins. That being written I know the airlines are a different breed than corporate. I also realize that I would not get hired before meeting the mins.

Here are my questions:

1)Would it be good for these airlines to see my name early?
A)They would see my interest and persistence as I periodically update, right?
B)You can not get the job if they do not have your info, right?

2)Or, would applying for a job and not having the qualifications just show them that I do not follow instructions?

Two sides to every coin!
rwelch

 

[vclean]

Southwest will allow you to create a login and answer the first page of questions. If you meet all the requirements, you are allowed to continue.

 

[SWA_Texan]

Southwest will allow you to create a login and answer the first page of questions. If you meet all the requirements, you are allowed to continue.

Meaning, to enter an online app on Southwest's site, you either have to meet the mins or lie. I would recommend the former over the latter.

 

[vclean]

I guess my original answer was poorly written. I believe the others will allow you to apply without the minimums. Southwest's application requires you to affirm you currently meet their hiring minimums. Lying is not recommended, unless you have no intention of working there.

 

[Resume Writer]

There are two ways to look at this; I will give you the HR viewpoint.

While there are times that sending something in might get you a job (i.e., your corporate job), most times it is not advised. Let me tell you why.

About a year ago, a gentleman asked me to assist him in finding a pilot for his operation. I wrote his job description for him and told him that I would screen the candidates that came through and forward him on the ones that I felt were most qualified and met his minimum qualifications. Needless to say, I was amazed.

The job description very clearly stated what he wanted. However, there were people that were applying that had barely over 1000 hours. (min was 3000) Some applied without the type rating and time in type required. (he needed this specific for insurance purposes) Further, the "cover letters" that came through were awful at best. The candidates did nothing to sell themselves on why this man should interview them. One man had "one" sentence that was almost 50 words long! I was thinking "take a breath!" Also, grammar and punctuation do count, so be sure to proofread.

When I received resumes that did not meet the qualifications, I became very frustrated that people could not follow instructions. It clearly stated in the ad that if you did not have the qualifications, do not apply. When someone puts that, they usually mean it! It cuts down on the number of people that apply, but the HR person gets a good pool of candidates from which to choose if the directions are followed by applicants.

These are just my thoughts, so take them as you will. There are two schools of thought on this and sometimes you might land somewhere that people will need you because someone walked out the door on them. But most times, if you do not have the mins, your resume will go in the trash because they do not have the room to store the resume.

Kathy

 

[Publishers]

Minimums

As the real minimums are usually no where near the real times required to get hired, you should wait until you have them and then keep them updated as you go along.

Secondly, no no, they will not notice your persistance or even care about seeing your name. They are big departments and everything for the most part is computerized.

Let me give you real life examples.

I need a class of 20 new hires. From knowledge, I think we can fill this from persons with 5,000 hours and 1000 jet pic. I put that into the computer and it cranks out some candidates. If I guessed right, we would look at those and that would be it. The people with 4999 are not even spit out.

If we did not get enough, maybe we drop down 250 hours and try again.

Are there things you can do to help yourself, yes. You can meet a recruiter at a job fair, you can have your captain buddy walk in your resume, you can have a dad who is president.

Even so, you need to have requirements somewhere near where people are being hired. In the example above, maybe you have 4650 hours instead of the 5000 but we met you at a job fair, were impressed with your other credentials, and so put you in.

The bottom line, if you do not have them, forget it.

 

[rwelch]

Thanks for the replies.
rwelch