Interview experiences

[JJthejetplane]

I just wanted to get a feel for the different kinds of interviews you have experienced for corporate jobs. Are they mostly get to know you types, a lot of technical questions, sim rides, flights, or what? Thanks in advance.

 

[semperfido]

usually they just want to know what your handicap is

 

[sidesaddle]

interviews

The questions on their minds have little to do with hold entries, simulators, or FAR's. They are are sitting there asking themselves if they could stand to be around you for hours and days on end. I doubt they will even invite you in if they are not comfortable with your flying qualifications. Look for a more casual interview with possibly a lunch with a number of the other folks in the department. Know-it-alls, stiffs, and whiners will probably not be invited back. Be yourself, professional but relaxed so they can get to know you.

I know alot of places that invite canidates to fly a short trip with them. Never heard of a sim ride in corporate.

Just my $.02

 

[G550Driver]

For my interview it started off with me and the entire flight department (Flight Attendants, Mechs, Director of Aviation, CEO, Chief pilot and other Pilots) going out for Dinner (Everyone ordered drinks so I followed the lead (When in Rome)).

Next I went on a contract trip with them to Greece for 7 days (I was paid a fair G550 contract wage ($1500 a day plus expenses) that way if they didn't like me and I didn't like them we all came out winners). I did not put on an act around them in any way. I went out drinking with them, site seeing, etc... I felt if I got the job I better like these guys and they better like me.

The ONLY hard copy of anything I had to show them was my License and Medical (of course they had my resume). No logbooks, Letters from Mom, etc....

 

[Gearmunky]

I was invited to fly a trip with my employer over two days. Like G550, we went out to dinner and breakfast and everything. The second day they asked for my resume and asked me to stay another day (I was also paid like a contract pilot) and fly with another one of the guys. A week later I had my first Part 91 gig.

They saw my resume, asked for my training records, and that was it.

Sim rides although rare, I have seen before. Most of the time it is only 70/30. 70% being able to function as a crew and how you get along with the other guy, and 30% flying.

I would avoid over the phone interviews if possible. I had one of them once, and although I did get the job, I quickly learned how important body language is.

 

[CapnVegetto]

Every one I've ever been to are 'get to know you' sessions. Most of the time, corporates aren't hiring 1000 hour CFI's like the airlines (although it does happen some). Most of the time, your qualifications, (thousands of hours, types, etc.) speak for themselves. It's stuff like, what's your handicap, what do you do in your spare time, what are your career goals, etc. Every interview I've been to is more the company selling itself to me rather than me selling myself to the company. If you're called for an interview, you've got the qualifications they're looking for. Now, all they're doing is seeing if they can like you and spend time on the road with you.

 

[Duderino]

Any more ideas on the Corporate Interview. I have a second interview coming up soon, and would like to hear more stories. The ones I have read already have put me more at ease which is great.

I did really well during the first interview. When I first sat down, I noticed the guy loved to fish. We talked a little about trout fishing, which I love, and it put me in a more comfortable mood. I was asked several difficult questions like what is the best thing that has happened to you, and what was the worst thing that has happened to you. I stayed focused, and since I was at ease, was able to honestly answer, off the top of my head.

Instead of being nervous and worrying about all the rules you read about during an interview, I would say the most important one is to just be yourself. I am not saying to not prepare, but you should already know what you need to do. Having on a nice suit, and I tie YOU really like, a haircut, and clean finger nails should already have been done. The things you need to think about are when you can start, Salary range, and brush up on the airplane you are currently flying. Don't get hung up on the salary, there is usually great potential at most good companies. I think if you study a lot on the Reg's, grill yourself on the Ops Manual of your Current Airplane, and prepare answers to some of the more difficult interview questions, you are just setting yourself up to be a nervous wreck during the interview.

Hope that was of some help.
Duderino

 

[Flyforyou]

All good points... if someone knows what they're doing when conducting an interview, it will seem more like a conversation vs. a grill session. When I used to do interviews, the two most important questions for me were 1) Would I be able to fly with this person for an entire month without wanting to throw them out the window? and 2) Would I trust him with my family on his airplane? A no answer to either one of these and it was an automatic see ya'... Good luck.

Fly

 

[G100driver]

Agree with the above. Especially the golf handicap comment. It is pretty hard to go on the road and spend several days with someone that you have nothing in common with.

If the boss and crew goes out drinking, by all means join them! I would be more concerned with the guy who rather sit in hotel room. Just do not throw-up in the CP shoes and try and bed the F/A ...

 

[Dinger]

Or worse yet.........throw up in the F/A's shoes and try and bed the CP.

 

[501261]

If the boss and crew goes out drinking, by all means join them! I would be more concerned with the guy who rather sit in hotel room. Just do not throw-up in the CP shoes and try and bed the F/A ...

Just remember to be yourself, that's why you're going out to dinner with them. If you don't drink, yet are fun, you might go to the top of the hire list, because we all could use more designated drivers. On the other hand if you go out and you lose all inhibitions, it might get you hired, but realistically it'll more than likely show you need to grow up or get your demons under control.

Bottom-line, just be you. That’s who you’re going to have to be every time you show up to work and the person they meet in the interview is who they are expecting to hire.

 

[rwelch]

The interview I had was a get to know you and we do this type of flying. I had to take a written exam. It was pretty relaxed. The CP did ask me if I had one of those gay vanity plates on my car like "Jet Jock". I don't, but it put a lighter mood on the interview.