Corporate pilot interview

[Gas Man]

After being on the streets for a year, I have a interview for a corporate pilot job flying the Citation VII.

Having only airline interview experience, I was hoping someone could give me some general information on what I can expect during the interview. There will be a pilot and HR people conducting the interview and it's a fairly large corporation.

Any information, tips, and/or insights to the interview and to coprorate flying in general would be great.

 

[Chairman]

Really depends on the operation but I would suspect more of a meet and greet. In a small flight department they are really looking at can I work in the cockpit with this guy. Because unlike the airline your stuck with who you fly with. I would not expect the same type of technical questions from the airline either. Focus on being a team playing, having the ability to go above and beyond and customer service. Unlike the airline the job does not stop when the parking break is set.

Good luck,

Chairman

 

[semperfido]

Be positive, cheerful, relaxed and just be yourself. They will want to know something about you and your experience. May ask you how you feel about working weekends and holidays. May ask you how you will like working an erratic schedule. They really just want to see if you would be a good fit. May ask you what you like to do in your free time. May want to know why you want to leave airline or if you want to go back. Good luck.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

As FIDO says...just be yourself.

Ask questions. You are looking at them as much as they are at you.

I always worried about guys who had no questions or didn't gently inquire about QOL. Don't leave being a stranger. Have some personality. Pilots sometimes lack that.

I'd expect less of the ridiculous airline interview type questions (drinking, busting mins etc) and expect more of the "what do you like to do in your free time?"...."what makes you think you will fit in well here?" type questions. Oh, and please don't tell me your hobbies are flying, reading, and the internet.

Be relaxed. If they offer to take your coat, have a water etc...go for it. Don't be stiff...and no, we dont give a fu*k what color your tie is...just look neat.

Have your research done. Know the company basics. I have interviewed people for Global Express jobs who told me they prefer not to go too far away...as I look out in the hangar at 6000nm airplanes and a company that does 80% of its business overseas....

Also keep in mind you are not looking to be an airline pilot anymore. You don't want the stereotypical airline pilot mentality (as they say)..thats an entire debate in itself on these boards - just put some thought into it.

Above all, be confident!!! - The best thing you can do is come across as friendly, experienced and confident -- yet humble. It's a real talent to pull that off in an interview.

Take notes, get names, and follow up that day with a "Thank You for having me in" note.

Good Luck!

 

[semperfido]

I have interviewed people for Global Express jobs who told me they prefer not to go too far away...as I look out in the hangar at 6000nm airplanes and a company that does 80% of its business overseas....!

Yea, it is amazing how clueless some people tend to be. Great advise though!

 

[BoilerUP]

Don't leave being a stranger. Have some personality. Pilots sometimes lack that.

+1

I like flying, reading and the internet as much as the next guy , but there is definitely something about a person who has interests and hobbies outside of the cockpit or their laptop. I can only imagine that sentiment is amplified when you're facing regular 9+ hour legs with somebody...

 

[Cat3C]

You do not have to be flying a 9 hour leg to realize the person next to you is a tool - it may only take a few minutes.

My inteviews for flight operations have been more about me as a person than aviation. The credentials that you have sent in or bring in are the first of perhaps many steps to find out what the person is all about. Like the previous posts have mentioned, being a good crew member on the road is only part of the equation.

Best of luck on the interview

 

[ksu_aviator]

The first question will probably be, "So how long have you known so and so." After that, they'll ask you about your experience...what have you flown, who have you flown for.

They know you can fly an airplane. What they want to know is can you tell a story, after all, you'll be sitting 2 feet from them for hours at a time and if they can't stand listening to you, they aren't going to hire you. Go over some funny stories that would be appropriate and remember they are looking for an employee, not an employer.

 

[guido411]

Everybody's posts so far address how to impress the pilot but they're forgetting the poster mentioned an HR person in the interview. The pilots at most places are the most important to get along with as they will have the FINAL say in who gets hired (if the HR person makes the call you probably don't want to work there). BUT, you've got to have something lined up to make the HR guy/gal get you to the next level. Know some things about their operation (the business side), know some of the Chief Officers' names and maybe some background, know what their involvement is in the community, stuff like that.

 

[2EASYPilot]

All of the above is great information. I just received a resume from a pilot that had the name of our company spelled wrong...duh.

 

[captfred]

You already have a leg up on 99 percent of airline guys. You must have a strong internal rec by someone extremely well thought of to get called in for an interview.

 

[BoilerUP]

All of the above is great information. I just received a resume from a pilot that had the name of our company spelled wrong...duh.

That's worse than sending out a generic resume/CV with an objective statement (if it even has one) along the lines of "Work for your organization".

I mean seriously, if you REALLY want to work for a company then take the 30 seconds it takes to customize your resume in MS Word to each potential employer :smash:

 

[Gulfstream 200]

That's worse than sending out a generic resume/CV with an objective statement (if it even has one) along the lines of "Work for your organization".

I mean seriously, if you REALLY want to work for a company then take the 30 seconds it takes to customize your resume in MS Word to each potential employer :smash:

agree! - better yet just please ditch the stupid objective statement off the resume. Its poor filler...

"to obtain a position as a flight crewmember"

Ya, no $hit.

 

[PlaneJohn]

After being on the streets for a year, I have a interview for a corporate pilot job flying the Citation VII.

Having only airline interview experience, I was hoping someone could give me some general information on what I can expect during the interview. There will be a pilot and HR people conducting the interview and it's a fairly large corporation.

Any information, tips, and/or insights to the interview and to coprorate flying in general would be great.

For a corporate flight department interview The single most important thing to me would be to KNOW WHAT BUSINES THAT COMPANY IS ENGAGED IN. Especially if you have only been a 121 guy. Everyone knows that airlines fly planes to make money, but what does the company your interviewing with do to make money. Are they a bank, fast food, retail, manufacturing? know something about them, their market, and ask questions to show your interest in their business. Explain to them how you think your experience as a pilot for them can aid in their production and bottom line.
Have something to contribute other then flying airplanes. Most corporate operations know that airline pilots do nothing more than fly the plane. Make it known that you are willing to do what it takes to assist the other pilot in getting the job done. That means loading bags, checking for rental cars, stocking the plane, possibly cleaning the plane after flights, and confirming the schedule with your pax. Many flight departments view you as another professional within that organization(not as a labor input in a union). As hard as it may be to believe some corporations consider you on the same level of professional as a CPA, lawyer, or Information Specialist.
I have actually been to interviews that consisted of 4 separate interviews. One with the Chief pilot, one with the Director, one with HR, and one with an executive VP. Some portions of the interview were nothing more than meet and greet (HR and VP) the technical stuff (regs, and procedures) were with the Chief and Director. Point being you are probably being considered very carefully if you are meeting with an exec, as you won't make it past the CP if he doesn't think you are a fit for the department.
Of course, always bring a current resume, pilot log books, licenses, passport, and any letters from references.
Good luck.

 

[FO4life]

If it is with a large corporation, most likely flying will be 10% of your job. Show that you are a can do guy and a self starter. Be ready to take up the united way foundation for the company, or represent the company for a local food drive, ect. as others have said, at this level we can all fly, it's wether or not you can get along up front and in back with the paxs. and be able to get along out of work on the long overnights. I've been told before the CP is looking for someone to drink with and HR is looking for someone who will represent the company.

 

[woog315]

agree! - better yet just please ditch the stupid objective statement off the resume. Its poor filler...

"to obtain a position as a flight crewmember"

Ya, no $hit.

It's necessary if you're applying to a huge HR department that fills all kinds of positions so they can sort the resumes.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

It's necessary if you're applying to a huge HR department that fills all kinds of positions so they can sort the resumes.

Never heard that!

You most likely fill out an online application, and 99% of the time that's an HR formality done after the position has been filled by internal rec's and interviews. By all means apply online if you get a chance, but don't put much hope in it.

Never heard of resume sorting by hand these days.

 

[Jetdriver69]

For my interview with a Fortune 50 company, they didn't ask me what color the tires were, no tech questions at all. Mostly trying to feel me out on what kind of guy I am. Just be yourself, relax and don't be too serious. The most difficlut question during my interview was, "What is the most outstanding accomplishment that I had achieved in over 20 years of flying". I said to be a pilot for over 20 years and staying married. I got the job...

 

[Gas Man]

Thanks for all of the great responses, it really helped.
If did some research on corporate captain pay and it is all over the place. If there is a Citation 7 captain out there can you give me a ballpark yearly salary?

 

[squall line]

Hey Gas Man! I'm in the same boat. Thanks for your post and for all of these great responses. I too have no idea what to expect or ask for when it comes to 1st year pay. At the airlines, it is all posted and you know what you are getting yourself into. Corporate is a whole different ball of wax. When on the phone with HR about scheduling my interview, the nice lady said pay depends on your qualifications. Hmmm ok. A ballpark would be nice