Job Fair - Worth the time?

[Big Iron]

What's the word on the Air-Inc Job Fairs, looking at the one at DFW next week, looks well represented. Really would go just to get the old resume to the right people hopefully. Anyone had results from these events? I was thinking that it might help with the companies I didn't have anyone to walk my app in (FedEx, Jet Blue). Looking for the sage advice I often find here.

 

[pilotyip]

One time good deal

Absolutely, if you are leaving the military you will see the recruiting process and come away with an idea of what is available and where your efforts should be directed. I wish they would have had these when I left the Navy in 1977

 

[Steeler Fan]

I think it's worth it once. Others will say that by going to everyone, the recruiters will know that you're interested.


One thing is for certain...Nothing is for certain!!

But if you and your buddy have the same quals and he gets called for an interview and you don't, you'll wonder..."maybe if I donated to the Kit Darby fund and attended an AirInc seminar"

It is a crap shoot though...In 1999, about 3 weeks after I started at US Airways, I got a call from Mesa...

A friend of mine was trying to imply that United pilots were superior to US Airways pilots...I asked him if he applied to other airlines...He applied to Chatauqua...they didn't give him an interview...I guess that means Chatauqua pilots are superior to UAL pilots...either that or its more about good luck and good timing.

 

[Smacktard]

What's the word on the Air-Inc Job Fairs, looking at the one at DFW next week, looks well represented. Really would go just to get the old resume to the right people hopefully. Anyone had results from these events? I was thinking that it might help with the companies I didn't have anyone to walk my app in (FedEx, Jet Blue). Looking for the sage advice I often find here.

FedEx and UPS are going to be there. Those two alone are getting thousands of resumes a month. Everyone loves to bash Kit for charging you to stand in front of those that do the hiring. The simple fact is, you and about 200 others will get more face time in 30 seconds than a 100 resumes could ever do. Could it give you a slight edge? I would wager that it does. I got my first job at an Atlanta seminar simply by shaking hands with the right person, I'd swear by it every time.

And if you think Kit is a snake oil salesman, you have the choice...DON'T BUY HIS PRODUCT.

 

[ATRCAPT]

I think the job fair is worht the price. At America West for instance, if you don't know a company pilot the job fair is the only way to get an app. I attended the job fair in DFW last year, and had an AWA app by early April. I think if you're getting ready to separate from the military it is probably a good place to get that first civillian flying job. Good luck, I'll see you there. I'll be the guy in the dark suit.

 

[TheTIC]

When I went to the Air Inc. conference, only Saturday afternoon was open to talk to the airlines. With hundreds of pilots there it was just crazy. Have resumes ready for America West and AirTran. The rest of the companies are generally online applications and they may or may not take a paper copy. AirTran has called people that they meet at the conference, and America West has given out applictions.

I had much luck at the Women in Aviation conference, www.wai.org, and the Organization of Black Pilots conferenc,www.obap.org. The openhouse with the airlines are open for 2-3 full days and there is hardly anyone is there. You get some one on one time with the airline HR people. Plus any money raised at these conventions go toward scholarships and such.

I'm sure going to any of these raises your probablity of getting called. I had two interviews right after the women in aviation conference last year and was quickly hired.

 

[LearLove]

Here's what you can do...

just show up after 4pm for the job fair with a made up name tag. Skip the fee and the bla bla bla 8am-4pm seminar and do the post seminar job fair hand in your resume shake hands thing for free.

 

[pilotyip]

Yea ATRCAPT, with the white shirt and red tie. I saw you or someone who looked like you at the ATL show.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

If U R a helo guy, you can go to www.aptap.org.

They have their own sessions set up at the career fairs, and some guys get jobs directly from the aptap sessions.

Cliff
HRL

 

[Captain Ron]

Big Iron,

You pretty much said it. I went to two Air Inc. job fairs, and met the same SWA recruiter at both. I already had the interview lined up by the second job fair, but stopped by to say hi and to talk to some other companies just in case. I had one interview on the spot with a regional, and picked up an application for a fractional. Received an offer for an interview with a cargo carrier several weeks later.

When I showed up at SWA, my first interviewer was that same recruiter. Could I have done it without the Job Fair? Possibly, but it took the edge off to already know someone from the HR department by name and face. Not sure if attending the fair helped get the interview in the first place, but I have a feeling it did. Good luck!

Ron

 

[pilotyip]

Hey Cliff, it looks like the opening slide from DA-20 Ground School