How do you answer the questions that are "negative" in nature during an interview? How much of a buffoon do I show that I've been in the past?
I'll caveat the response I gave to a friend the other day by saying this is one FO's opinion only....if it doesn't make sense to you then it is probably worthless so take it as a grain of salt & press on to the next post & my apologies in advance.
Here's the dilemma everyone has faced who has been through an interview or will be going through soon (hopefully
)...when asked:
The questions can come in many fashions, "TMAAT you made a mistake", "TMAAT about a decision you regretted", "TMMAT something didn't go as planned", "TMAAT a split second decision you regretted later"...etc. You get the drift.
Do you tell the "papercut story" or do you tell the story where you "chopped your finger off" story. We know which one hurts more to tell and by telling the latter story one worries you run the risk of really pulling up some bad memories or decisions in the open. Again I said, "chopped your finger off" story, not "jab a sword in my stomach & roll around" story.
Some things to consider when recalling those "significant emotional events"
1. If it happened last week when you were performing as a CA....it might not be the best one to show your maturity as a CA but never say never I always say.
2. If the story is too emotional, consider finding another story...turning the interview into an Oprah show usually doesn't play well
3. Always have a tourniquet ready to put on the finger to stop the bleeding....you don't want blood splattering around all over the place....in other words, make sure you have a good conclusion & wrap up to what you learned from the situation, how you gained from the experience & how you have passed those lessons on to others. Also, don't leave the finger on the table...scares the interviewers
4. Embellishing a "papercut story" in a way to make it sound more dramatic might make the interviewer think, "this is the best you got!!...not much in the way of aviation experience..."
5. Honest, heartfelt, reality situations told with sufficient detail to the "hows & whys" of the situation even when describing buffoonish acts shouldn't be viewed as stories to avoid in the view of some....it is how you tell the story...tell it to your wife, friend, get their opinion....most of us have lived long enough to have had some bumps in the road so don't hesitate talking about it & the lessons learned.
Most importantly as in any interview, be honest & be yourself....don't make it tougher than it is & just relax....tell the story that you feel most comfortable with & don't try guessing what "they want".....answer not just this type question but any question in a way you would normally (for us A-10 types it is usually in a prone position on the floor looking at the carvings on the undersides of tables)....just relax & be yourself.
Everyone in the aviation business has earned the right to have the magical words said to us, "..here's your sign" (hint: Redneck TV) so don't think you're the only one who has made mistakes or regrettable decisions.
Again not an approved solution by any airline, warden or governmental agency so if you're willing to bank the farm on advice off an internet forum you obviously have more cattle than most of us do
....good luck to all who are interviewing at any airline this month or in the near future...hope you are successful & will help others out along the way.....cheers.
I'll caveat the response I gave to a friend the other day by saying this is one FO's opinion only....if it doesn't make sense to you then it is probably worthless so take it as a grain of salt & press on to the next post & my apologies in advance.
Here's the dilemma everyone has faced who has been through an interview or will be going through soon (hopefully
)...when asked:The questions can come in many fashions, "TMAAT you made a mistake", "TMAAT about a decision you regretted", "TMMAT something didn't go as planned", "TMAAT a split second decision you regretted later"...etc. You get the drift.
Do you tell the "papercut story" or do you tell the story where you "chopped your finger off" story. We know which one hurts more to tell and by telling the latter story one worries you run the risk of really pulling up some bad memories or decisions in the open. Again I said, "chopped your finger off" story, not "jab a sword in my stomach & roll around" story.
Some things to consider when recalling those "significant emotional events"
1. If it happened last week when you were performing as a CA....it might not be the best one to show your maturity as a CA but never say never I always say.
2. If the story is too emotional, consider finding another story...turning the interview into an Oprah show usually doesn't play well
3. Always have a tourniquet ready to put on the finger to stop the bleeding....you don't want blood splattering around all over the place....in other words, make sure you have a good conclusion & wrap up to what you learned from the situation, how you gained from the experience & how you have passed those lessons on to others. Also, don't leave the finger on the table...scares the interviewers
4. Embellishing a "papercut story" in a way to make it sound more dramatic might make the interviewer think, "this is the best you got!!...not much in the way of aviation experience..."
5. Honest, heartfelt, reality situations told with sufficient detail to the "hows & whys" of the situation even when describing buffoonish acts shouldn't be viewed as stories to avoid in the view of some....it is how you tell the story...tell it to your wife, friend, get their opinion....most of us have lived long enough to have had some bumps in the road so don't hesitate talking about it & the lessons learned.
Most importantly as in any interview, be honest & be yourself....don't make it tougher than it is & just relax....tell the story that you feel most comfortable with & don't try guessing what "they want".....answer not just this type question but any question in a way you would normally (for us A-10 types it is usually in a prone position on the floor looking at the carvings on the undersides of tables)....just relax & be yourself.
Everyone in the aviation business has earned the right to have the magical words said to us, "..here's your sign" (hint: Redneck TV) so don't think you're the only one who has made mistakes or regrettable decisions.
Again not an approved solution by any airline, warden or governmental agency so if you're willing to bank the farm on advice off an internet forum you obviously have more cattle than most of us do
....good luck to all who are interviewing at any airline this month or in the near future...hope you are successful & will help others out along the way.....cheers.
