Finding a job, my 2 cents

[wingnutt]

good post KSU! id like to add one if ya dont mind...

12. is that old standby networking. dont be afraid to talk to other pilots; be it in an FBO, on a ramp, or someone that a friend knows is a pilot. im not suggesting you force yourself onto anyone, but feel the situation out and whatever you do, dont come across as desperate. more often than not, pilots are willing to stop and make contact, if only for a minute or two. even pilots on the same level as you may one day be in a position to help you get that next job, and vice versa.

i recently did just that to snag a turbine cargo job with less than 1500 hours. to be honest, i have yet to send out any resumes, i just keep a few simplistic ones in my flight bag. nothing fancy, just my name, numbers, where im working, and my current hours

when you get somewhere and talking to someone, thats not a total nutcase, let the conversation wind down and ask for his/her email or phone number to keep in contact with them. then when they reciprocate, out comes the resume

of course, you hafta' follow up with that contact too! give em a call every few weeks and see if they know anything new. dont get me wrong, it took me 6 months of phone calls

...but dont stop either! now that ive got a turbine job, its time to start making contacts for jet work

 

[ksu_aviator]

Networking, ya I should have put that in my original post. To be honest, I was trying to put in stuff nobody seems to be doing, that also works. But, I like your version of networking.

I also want to add lucky number....

13. Prepare an oral essay that you can use in an interview or on the street.

Example, interviewer says to you "Tell me about yourself"

You say: "I'm a graduate of Tim Buck Two University. I have a Bachelors in basket weaving. I graduated in 2000 and immediately began working as a flight instructor. Soon there after I began flying part time and then full time for a part 135 cargo operation out of XYZ, flying a Baron as PIC. Later I moved into the airlines flying a Saab 340. I have over 1600 hours of accident free, incident free flying. My peers say I have a strong work ethic and above average piloting skills. I am currently looking for a position as a charter pilot."

The idea above is to start with an introduction, move into a short story and then finish by quailfying yourself and closing.

So, my intro was "I'm a graduate...basket weaving." The intro can aslo include your name if needed.

The short story sets up your qualifications. Gives them an idea of your work history. "I graduated in...Saab 340."

The qualification is the most important part. If you aren't qualified, they won't hire you. Give them all of your important experience, turbine time, multi time, instrument time are all very important to most operators. "I have over 1600...piloting skills"

The close is what whould give them the idea that what they do is a good fit for what you want to do. So for a charter company you would say "I am currently looking for a positions as a charter pilot."