Questions re Job Fairs

[Sandstorm]

I'm thinking about going to the job fair in Vegas in October. I've never been to one of these before, so I just had a couple questions.

1) Dress code specifies business casual. Do most people follow this or do most wear the suit and tie?

2) Am I correct to assume that you should take your logbooks with in case you are asked to interview that day?

3) Can I get a suggestion as to what type of briefcase pilots take to interviews these days (ie. hard / soft sided, leather, etc.)

4) Finally, are these things worth the time? Do they pay off?

Thanks for the info.

 

[av8tor4239]

I have been to two job fairs this year. I believe they are worth the time and expense for two reasons. One you might actually get lucky... face time is priceless... and two It puts you in the frame of mind that is required to secure a flying job in this economy.

I have always worn a suit... It is funny, outside of aviation a suit is pretty standard no big deal.. I have been wearing one to my stock broker job for the last 9 months. Wear a suit and be proud of your profession!

Dont worry to much about the brief case... look professional and be confident.. you will be one of over 1000 pilots at the event. I have a soft side swiss army black laptop case that I have used to carry my resumes and log books...

Bring your log books and certificates.. you never know what is going to go down!

Remeber it is all about frame of mind.. if you are willing to commit to spending some green and time to go find a job in vegas you are in the right frame of mind... it is an exercise in futility and persistence.

Dont just count on the job fair though.. you have to exploit and expand your network.. every one of the pilots there is a contact and network point.. think of your network like a spiderweb and every person you meet is another person that can put in contact with you next potential employer... You have to play the game and master networking!!!! Job fair is the perfect place to spin you web!



GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Bigoober]

Ditto to all 4239 says above.

Suit, books, soft side leather case, always worth the time as sitting at home won't get you squat. Be patient, smile, and be ready to talk.

Good luck.

 

[DH106]

Sorry, man, huge waste of money.

1) Dress code specifies business casual. Do most people follow this or do most wear the suit and tie?
>> Most wear suit and tie. Treat it like an interview.

2) Am I correct to assume that you should take your logbooks with in case you are asked to interview that day?
>> Yes... can't hurt. Be prepared.

3) Can I get a suggestion as to what type of briefcase pilots take to interviews these days (ie. hard / soft sided, leather, etc.)
>> Just do something that looks professional. Don't get bogged down in the details. Just be professional.

4) Finally, are these things worth the time? Do they pay off?
>> Absolutely, no. It's a sea of clones just like you, all standing in each line for 1.5 hours, trying to get a word in edgewise with the recruiter. Save your money... do some old-fashioned networking instead. Those shows are all about making the promoter rich.

 

[av8tor4239]

Remeber too.. you have to put yourself in the postion of the employer when you talk... If you started an aviation comapny and poured your blood sweat and tears into it and you were hiring pilots what would you want to hear from an potential pilot???????

You are a good stick, CRM, you are involved in the company beyond just jerking a gear, ontime, hard worker.... no one cares that you want to make a million dollars and fly a 747.... they want to know what you can bring to the table... DONT JUST TELL THEM.... SHOW THEM... GET INVOLVED IN WHAT EVER IT IS YOU ARE DOING NOW..

IF YOU ARE UNEMPLOYED... VOLUNTEER FOR SOMETHING.. CIVIL AIR PATROL, ANGEL FLIGHT, LOCAL POLICE CITIZENS ON PATROL.. ANYTHING.....

IT IS YOUR GO GET.. SHOW THEM YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKE.. DONT JUST TELL THEM!!!

 

[rumrnr78]

OK, av8tor4239, you have exceeded the positive post count in this thread! This is Flightinfo afterall. Your second post should have attacked the profession, the thread starter or his Mother!

Just kidding, nice job. Your posts are spot on!

Cheers- Rum

 

[av8tor4239]

4) Finally, are these things worth the time? Do they pay off?
>> Absolutely, no. It's a sea of clones just like you, all standing in each line for 1.5 hours, trying to get a word in edgewise with the recruiter. Save your money... do some old-fashioned networking instead. Those shows are all about making the promoter rich.

You have obviously had a bad experience.. I have not landed job from one yet, but what better way to network than getting face time with HR and CP at companies that are hiring and networking with fellow aviators employed and unemployed... you have to broaden your horizons man....

Buddy of mine is in class right now with AT/SWA because of the job fltops job fair in vegas this summer...... if you are unemployed you have to attack every angle...

 

[av8tor4239]

OK, av8tor4239, you have exceeded the positive post count in this thread! This is Flightinfo afterall. Your second post should have attacked the profession, the thread starter or his Mother!

Just kidding, nice job. Your posts are spot on!

Cheers- Rum

Helps that I start with JB next week!! Lots of blue love coming from here right now.. persistence and having a family that depends on you goes a long way!!!

 

[rumrnr78]

Helps that I start with JB next week!! Lots of blue love coming from here right now.. persistence and having a family that depends on you goes a long way!!!

That is great news! All the best with your training. And, it is true how important family is in this career.

Cheers-

 

[deltamd90]

It's going to be business casual and I'm the guy at the "other website" that's throwing the career fair.

Here's the reason. Job fairs depress the crap out of me and I've already got a job. Long lines of automatons, similarly dressed, "I work well in teams sir, I'm a self-starter" -- no thanks.

So I'm selling the event to recruiters as a more mellow, more festive event. Hell, we're throwing it in Las Vegas for a specific purpose -- smash a bunch of aviation professionals together, have 'em network, rub some elbows, see what happens.

The career fair is business casual. The recruiters already understand (and like) the idea, but wear whatever makes you feel comfortable but I'd suggest looking sharp. Bring your resumes, business cards, talk to EVERYONE because you never know who you're talking to.

The networking event is "come as you are", relaxed, arrive to network and have a great time. Leave your resumes behind but bring your business cards. Open bar, Skyloft, food, I try to run a unique experience that you'll want to come to every year even though you're probably not looking for a job at that point. If I can bring you back to the networking event after you reached your career goals, that means that you'll be around to offer guidance to another pilot who may want to be where you are.

Kind of a big perpetual motion machine.

And would I bring logbooks? Do what will provide you with confidence, but I probably wouldn't. We have a few threads "over there" that have tips and pointers to ensure your success but I'm not going to post the URL out of respect for the webmasters here.

If you have any other questions, shoot me an email through the event website. Everyone is welcome.

Doug Taylor
email me at [email protected] if you want to verify.