How'd I do at SWA interview?

[Yahtzee]

I have no reason to suspect that's why I got the "bad" letter last September, I know a few people who work there and can't think of anyone I had that big of a run-in with to warrant anyone "black-balling" me, I just would hate to think that there aren't "limits" on who can submit bad reports (probationary employees would be one limitation I could see being implemented) or that just one would warrant the dismissal of your application.

Lear70,

I'm sorry to hear you received a "letter" instead of a "call", but I hope you will apply again. One of my co-workers interviewed in June, and unfortunately for him, he too got a letter. It is highly doubtful that anyone would black-ball him. Most SWA folks who know him speculate he is so quiet, he simply did not connect with the interviewers and they never got a chance to know him. Or if they did get to know him maybe they thought he was too introverted. Who knows??? He told me none of his references were called as he asked everyone he listed. Then I have another friend who had his references called, but was later turned down.

We can only speculate why y'all weren't selected. Many others received the same results and probably thought that things went well. Then what went wrong? Maybe this may help...

I have heard from various sources sometimes the interview and LOI both go well but when references "current contacts" were called the prospective employee got less than favorable reviews or maybe just lukewarm reviews. So in effect, these people may have been "black-balled" either intentionally or unintentionally (with a lukewarm review), but not from anyone at SWA...rather from a previous employer.

This is the part where you have more control than you think. Rarely do you get to pick your supervisor, but you do have to list someone on the "Current Contacts" and provide phone numbers. So what are you to do if your boss hates you and you know you will not get a favorable rating from him/her? Why even waste your time applying to another company as a pilot since you will be black-balled? Hang on. SWA understands these types of scenarios are out there, and not all supervisors are created equal. Let me point out the SWA form is titled "Current Contacts", not "Current Supervisors".

If I found myself in this scenario, I would merely choose to list someone in the organization who I know as a fair and honest person that could speak about me as a person and as pilot.

I hope my ramblings may have offered you some insight into not only what might have happened, but also something to think about should you re-apply and interview again.

Yahtz

 

[Lear70]

Oh I'm reapplying, ain't no doubt about THAT! I thought I had picked everybody carefully but who knows; like you said, there's just so many variables, and I'm sure all of us that received the letter do our share of self-recrimination and self-doubting... I'll get over it one of these days.

I too had all my references called, then the letter, but there's just no telling (I wish someone there would, but such is life). 'Till then I just keep flying, having as much fun at work and at home as possible, and waiting (not so patiently of course) until I can apply again.

Thanks again guys, once again I appreciate the helpful responses and I'll be happy to buy the Wild Turkey should I get a phone call next time.

 

[benelli]

I have had some refs called. The SWA guy sounded very excited, accord. to one of my buddies. Say all goes well with the calls prior to the DB, is the LOI the great unknown. I've heard it has very little impact on whether or not your refs get called, but does have an impact on the yea or nay decission of the DB. Word

 

[BeanFighter]

SWAnnabe on the LUV Boat

Benelli!
I too had a reference called yesterday, yea, I'm excited about the possibilities. Is it too early to speculate on the next DB date??? Anyone??? I heard from a member of the last board that the next one will be a "virtual DB" to save all involved the trip to Dallas. Cool.
Keep the faith!
Beanfighter

 

[RVR300]

Hey guys,

Calls started going out last week. I actually got to be the one to tell my buddy he got the job! How cool is that? The PD called me, then we did a conference call to my buddy.
It went like this:

"Hey bud, the PD called me and had a question about your file. I wasn't sure, so I said I'd call and ask..."
"What's the question?"
"What are you doing for the next 22 years?"


What an honor to be able to do that. What a great place to work.
I wish all of you good luck, and hope to see you out on the line.

 

[Hobiehawker]

Hey guys,

Calls started going out last week. I actually got to be the one to tell my buddy he got the job! How cool is that? The PD called me, then we did a conference call to my buddy.
It went like this:

"Hey bud, the PD called me and had a question about your file. I wasn't sure, so I said I'd call and ask..."
"What's the question?"
"What are you doing for the next 22 years?"


What an honor to be able to do that. What a great place to work.
I wish all of you good luck, and hope to see you out on the line.

I thought Chief pilots called the guys starting of friday. How did you cordinate this?

Why would they tell you instead of him first?

 

[RVR300]

Connections.

 

[TAZ MAN]

Connections.

Thats pretty vague. Please tell us more on how you did this and how you found out that your buddy got the job before anyone else.

I smell a fish.

 

[RVR300]

Taz,

No fish story. I used to work with the new hires as they came through the pipeline. My friend at the PD included me on the notification call because it was a very cool thing to do. I'm just glad I was on the ground or else I would have missed it.

 

[JTB]

Great advice!

Lear70,
I have heard from various sources sometimes the interview and LOI both go well but when references "current contacts" were called the prospective employee got less than favorable reviews or maybe just lukewarm reviews. So in effect, these people may have been "black-balled" either intentionally or unintentionally (with a lukewarm review), but not from anyone at SWA...rather from a previous employer.

This is the part where you have more control than you think. Rarely do you get to pick your supervisor, but you do have to list someone on the "Current Contacts" and provide phone numbers. So what are you to do if your boss hates you and you know you will not get a favorable rating from him/her? Why even waste your time applying to another company as a pilot since you will be black-balled? Hang on. SWA understands these types of scenarios are out there, and not all supervisors are created equal. Let me point out the SWA form is titled "Current Contacts", not "Current Supervisors".

If I found myself in this scenario, I would merely choose to list someone in the organization who I know as a fair and honest person that could speak about me as a person and as pilot.

Lear,
First off, I'm sorry you got the letter in Sep. You will be back! I believe the above advice is ABSOLUTELY HUGE! I am extremely fortunate to have gotten the good news call on Monday from SWA. But I also know of some great guys who were on the same DB who got the letter yesterday. I feel terrible for them. Two of the three had gotten their references called, yet in the end, they got the letter. Why? Who knows. But I believe that there is a difference in a good reference vs a great reference. I'm a former military guy now in the reserves. When I was filling out the current contacts list (for those who don't know, after SWA calls you for an interview, they send you an application that includes a list of folks you've had as contacts for the past five years) I remembered reading a post (maybe from cheesemo) that said that one of the biggest factors for getting a 'no' letter was for bad reference checks. So, I picked those who knew me best and would be able to articulate that over the phone to SWA should they call. Think about it...let's you list person X because he was the most senior person whom you worked for - let's also say that he's not the most charming person over the phone, at times - or worse, cannot at a moment's notice forget about his/her own worries for a few minutes to talk about you, his former employee, in an honest and absolutely postive way. Now let's say instead you list person Y, while not the most senior person, but a great person none the less who you can depend on to come through. Who would you list. I was faced with this situation, and I chose person Y.
Some may say this is reading too much into it...all I can say is that this is one aspect the applicant has control over and I believe choosing the right contacts could make a huge difference. I hope this helps.

jtb

p.s. Thanks to everyone for lending their awesome advice and words of encouragement on this board. It's definitely helped. I, too, hope I can help in the future.