Re: Family pix
Originally posted by bobbysamd:
It's not a good idea. Aviation interviews tend to be standardized and ritualistic. Any deviation might label you as . . . well, non-standard. Aviation doesn't like non-standard.
I couldn't agree more. I saw a few "Tweety Bird" and Tobasco ties at the interviews I was invited to and, well, I just couldn't help but think to myself, "did you get a free bowl of soup with that tie? Ohh....looks good on you though!"

Why would you want to use something like that to help you stand out? What if the interviewer gets severe gas every time he or she tries Tobasco sauce? Bummer for you. As for your picture idea, what if the interviewer's wife just left him for some young Rico Suave F.A. and took the kids?

As I said, bummer for you!
The interview will be about you and not your family. I would doubt that an interviewer would even ask about your marital status or family because such questions would be discriminatory. This is especially true for females.
Absolutely true. They're not allowed by law to ask you those kinds of questions. No professional interviewer at any company that you would want to work for (not just airlines) would ask that.
Just bring the standard stuff. Logbooks, certificates, medical and LORs. Proof of employment at each job. 135 letters. A copy of your college transcript. 141 graduation certificate. Proof of citizenship or right to work in the U.S. Driver's license. Maybe even driver records. It may not be a bad idea to bring extra copies of your app and resumes in case H.R. didn't make extra copies for your interview board.
I wrote a very clear spreadsheet, accompanied by "idiot proof" comments (so even I could understand and explain them

) detailing how I arrived at the hours I quoted in my resume and applications (somewhat complicated with military-to-civilian conversion, "other" hours, PIC time, etc.). I needed to be comfortable explaining how I logged the hours I had, just in case there was a discrepancy that came up in the review of qualifications. Turns out I had made a slight error transcribing two numbers, and the steely-eyed interviewer found it and asked me about it. So I whipped out my spreadsheet, and, when I finally got my knees to stop shaking uncontrollably....calmly.... pointed out my error. (I'm getting all sweaty right now thinking about that episode.) The nice interviewer made the correction, offered me a shot of Jack Daniels, and sent me on my way. (OK so I made up the part about Jack Daniels...it was Wild Turkey.)
I've heard interview counselors say you should bring the resume copy so you can crib off it during the interview. I disagree wholeheartedly. If you need your resume to answer interview questions, you are not prepared. You are, or should be, the foremost expert there is on you.
During one of my interviews, the first question I got was about how I liked my job as a flight examiner. Well, I had never been a flight examiner. Nor did my resume or anything on my applications indicate that. So I was faced with the delicate but crucial task of telling this to the interviewer in a way that would not put him/her off, and would still allow me to answer in a positive way. Somehow, and I'm still wondering exactly how, I managed to pull that off. I'm glad I didn't resort to "hey, why don't you read my resume!" or somthing like that

So I agree with bobbysamd on this one. You will want to carry a resume with you, but not to use as a pony or a crutch. Best of luck!
