hr questions

[flightinst]

what is the best way to answer the basic hr questions during an interview?
why us? why you? what makes a good f/o?...............just looking for suggestions that helped you guys

 

[88_MALIBU]

The best way is to come up with your own answer, dont be a parrot. I may not have answered the best, but they knew I was sincere in what I was saying, and that was better than some answer they heard 1000 times before.

 

[Bryan D]

Formulate your answers now for all of the standard questions

I agree with 88_Malibu. It's a good idea to give fore thought to your answers before you are actually asked the questions though. Don't do like I did. I sent out like 35 resumes and app's, about a week later Chuck Colgan called me at home and amoung other things asked "why Colgan?", I'm not very good at thinking fast on my feet so I said "ahh well because your the first to call me". In the end I got the interview. I guess they were hurtin' for pilots.

 

[chrisdahut24]

Even though we all just interview and accept the job with pretty much the first place that hires us, every place has it's pros and cons. Sit down and think about all the positives of working at one particular place, and tell them that. For example- good work rules, good people, good bases? etc...

As for "why you?" now is not the time to be bashful. Without sounding cocky and overconfident, state all your past accomplishments. Tell them what a stand up guy and team player you are, how you've never failed a checkride, always been succesful in your career etc... Just like the job, you've got plenty of positive attributes that you probably never really think of. You just have to sit down with pen and paper, gather your thoughts and write it all down. Worked great for me.

 

[Clyde]

what is the best way to answer the basic hr questions during an interview?
why us? why you? what makes a good f/o?...............just looking for suggestions that helped you guys

First, give them YOUR answers. You don't want to sound scripted. A friend of mine at a major knew the interview pilot when they were hiring. He said they could tell who got interview prep quite easily. This was not a disqualifier, but, some of them went a little overboard. They sounded very scripted and most of the answers were predictable. When asked "why you?", one guy was practically over the table telling them exactly what Kit Darby told him to say.

Second, take your time when answering them. There is no rush and you are not being timed. Take a deep breath before responding, this will help get your thoughts in order. As pilots, we think before we act (at least we should) in the cockpit. Treat the interview as the same.

Prior to your interview, write down the known questions and answer them on paper. Do this as far in advance as you can. Before actually formulating a response, it sometimes help to brainstorm first and just write down ideas and keywords that pop into your head. This will help you gather your thoughts.
Then, read this the evening prior to your interview.

To answer some of your specific questions:

Why us?
Why not? Location of domiciles, schedules, advancement, job security, opportunities for advancement, heard a lot of good things from the employees, pay, a place you would like to go to and settle down for a while are all good reasons you would like to work for them. Brainstorm, like this, and list out every thought, no matter how big or small. After they are all out on paper, then you can narrow it down.

Why you?
Be confident, but also be careful not to inadvertently come across as arrogant either.
Again brainstorm here: I'm a good/hard worker (be prepared to give an example why; i.e., previous jobs and/or accomplishments), work well with others, I have a teamwork type attitude, I'm motivated, I finish what I start, I have good study habits, I'm dependable (i.e., show up for work on time).

I would try to come up with as many non-flying "why me's?" as you could. They already know you can fly, they want to know why this qualified aviator over the next qualified aviator.

Be prepared to give examples for each of your reasons too. If you say you work well with others, they might ask why. If you are a motivated individual, they may ask what motivates you. Be prepared to give an expanded view of your answers.

What makes a good f/o?
Again, brainstorm. Instead, think about this as if you were a captain. What would you expect from a good f/o?

Positive mental attitude, non-confrontational, team player, someone who is current and up to speed on the things such as regs and company procedures, someone who is SAFETY-ORIENTED, dependable, willing to take intitiative and think outside the box, willing to learn, are just a few that I feel make someone a good f/o.

Again, be prepared to expand on your answers. Having a positive attitude and being non-confrontational are pretty self-explanatory, but why someone who is up to speed on procedures for example? Because standardization among crews is important and being prepared means you will handle and emergency or crisis more effectively. Taking initiative? Being able to do things without being micromanaged by the captain.

There are many questions they can ask. There are a lot of good books on interviewing out there. Some of the better ones I've seen were at places like Borders or Barnes and Nobles, and their authors had nothing to do with aviation. And remember, among all else, just be relaxed and be yourself.

Hope this helps.

 

[ilinipilot]

Turn the question around. When you are a captain think about FOs you flew with that you enjoyed and why. And same as being an FO, which Captains did you enjoy flying with and why.

D

 

[EMB170Pilot]

2 words

BE YOURSELF


Good Luck

1 thing a CHQ while I intervied..as I was waiting for the interview portion, people ahead of me came out and talked about the questions they were asked

EVERYONE before me (approx 7 people) were asked what would you do if you smelled alcohol on your Captains breathe and the 7 people would let he/she call in sick or Im not doing the flight with you(captain). THen they were asked ok.... what if your at a bar and you see down the way your next door neighbor who you dont particularly like drunk and he is driving home and you know your kids are outside playing. What do you do.. All said..OH I CALL THE POLICE.

So you would report your drunken neighbor but not your captain...Why? of course, being in an interview, they all stuttered when asked that question.....

I go in and say, well they are a captain and representing this airline and they should know about the alcohol rule with this company and being that they violated it and it is uncalled for, I would report him/her. Got a handshake after that answer (I know it wasn't a fancy response but I think because the other 7 rehearsed their answers and I was different because Im like DUHHHHHH he/she should know better).

How would you feel if your family were on board an airplane with a drunken pilot?

Of course all of us would feel bad for the person because nobody wants to RAT OUT a fellow teamate.

So....... BE YOURSELF and THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

GoodLuck!

 

[ilinipilot]

I agree its not a bad idea to turn him/her in,

BUT. If I aksed you that question and you said that I would be a little skeptical. By doing that you are ruining a person's career. I would be 1000% percent sure its is alcohol and not scope, listerine, toothpaste, mouthwash, astringnet, glycol, etc etc. I applaud your answer it is a good one, but the answer the other people gave makes sense too. I would not diregrad their answers, but i commend your honesty and fortitude.

D

 

[TheBigH]

I would be 1000% percent sure its is alcohol and not scope, listerine, toothpaste, mouthwash, astringnet, glycol, etc etc.

nothing like a couple of shots of Type I in the mornin to get ya going ... especially in the Beech where you can just put your shotglass under the corner of the side window where the fluid leaks in ...