Solid Interview prep companies?

[AlbieF15]

Anyone out there have some solid recommendations for someone to coach a guy getting ready for some regional interviews, specifically AA Eagle? This has never been my market or my forte, and I had a call from a guy who needs some help pretty fast. Interested on anyone who might have had good (or bad) experiences along the way.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LearLove]

I would think that the same interview "coaching" that is used to prep for JB, SWA or any others would help for Eagle or any other airline at any level. The people at Eagle and other such "lesser" airlines look for the same qualities in their applicants that SWA or JB HR/interviewers look for in thier interviewees.

Simply sitting down infront of someone with HR exp. or knowledge of HR stuff and practicing questions ranging from "tell me about a time", "tech", "aircraft specific" and "standard HR" will be a big help for an applicant at any company.

If you look at the gouge across the board (majors to smallest commuters) on avaitioninterviews.com or "will fly for food" you'll see that the general interview profiles in terms of questions are the same reguardless of the level of the company.

So to answer you question the only company I know of that has Eagle specific coaching would be Air Inc. However the coaching you provide for JB/FDX and others would work for any other airline out there too.

 

[350DRIVER]

Albie,

The "coaching" is tailored towards the target airline of each specific applicant.. If you can "coach" someone on FedEx/JB then you should also be able to incorporate some sort of coaching/program for all other airlines, regardless of whether it is Eagle, America West, or Auntie Jamie Airlines, etc, this does not matter.... It never seems to amaze me that people are willing to fork over quite a bit of money just to "feel" reassured when in reality they could have obtained all the information for free.

This is the main reason that I have never bought into these foolish services since in reality one can accumulate all the gouge, information, etc, especially in this internet savvy world that we currently live in.

You can access aviationinterviews.com , flyforfood.com, etc, at absolutely no charge and it will have everything that is looked for during the interview.

Any pilot can be called a "coach", it is the applicant that is naive to the fact that they can be successful on their own free of charge.


3 5 0 ( coach )

 

[English]

I think you are missing the point and value in having interview preparation, 350. Not everyone can walk right into an interview and be their usual warm self without some prep. And, I'm not talking about gouge. I mean presentation, eye contact, and being able to clearly communicate while nervous.

I'm sure Albie focuses on these subjective items and not necessarily "teaching to the test". That's probably why he is helping this individual and referring him/her to someone that does.

A friend of mine interviewed with a large regional AAirline back in 1999, and received a rejection letter soon afterwards. He couldn't understand why he was turned down. I didn't get it either, as I looked up to him and thought the world of him as a person. How could these recruiters not see him charming personality? He had another interview scheduled with a second airline and felt his confidence rocky, so I suggested we do a mock interview together. He dressed up and I turned a video camera on him. WOW - it was a shocker. He was so nervous that he came across as a bumbling idiot. His intelligence, warmth and sense of humor did not come across at all. In fact, his nervousness made him appear almost defensive. We practiced his presentation, and he was hired at his next interview.

I had an almost exact experience with a friend of mine that was hired at Eagle in January. She had such a bad interview experience in 1996 that she got out of flying altogether for a while. She was a wreck during our first mock interview practice. She went to see Cheryl Cage in PHX and we worked together on everything she learned there. She felt confident in her interview and is now flying the line.

Interview prep is not just about the gouge. It is also about just plain preparedness.

 

[LearLove]

Yeah what English said thats what I was trying to say. No matter what the company any interview choaching will help an applicant sell themselves as a professional, reliable and compatiable pilot/employee to an HR dept.

Here's some of my thoughts on interview prep outside of pro coaching:


There are basically 3 part to a pilot interview. TECH, SIM and HR/PILOT Board

1. Technical - this may include a written exam and oral questions on anything from FAR's to Aerodyanmics to systems to stuff on your current aircraft to aircraft you've in the past. Again this stuff may be on a written or asked infront of a pilot board and HR people. As for preparing for the "tech" part your basically on your own (in term of coaching). This means sitting down with the pilot handbook(s), FAR/AIM, ATP written and other material that make you a knowledgable pilot. Of course someone can alway help you but like I said this part is basically up to what you put into it. Can you say study time. If you don't want to bust the bank I'd say a min list of materials to prepare for this section (tech) part of the interview would be:

1. the pilot handbook for your current and past aircraft. (also current company 121 or 135 manuals and emergency check lists)
2. FAR/AIM
3. ATP written
4. Turbine pilots flight manual or other general aircraft system text


2. The sim ride is just that. basically most companies are looking for basic IFR flying skills and in the case of two guys in the sim how one applicant works with the other. Note you may also be grilled alittle more if you are in a sim that is the aircraft you currently fly. (i.e. a 727 guy doing a ride in a 727 sim)

 

[LearLove]

Son of a bitch...............


I spent like an hour on that post and because I went par ten minutes in the edit it cut off the last 2/3 of the post. I was acutally some good stuff. It too late now, I'll try and rewrite is some other time. Time for bed.

 

[moscowcfi]

I really don't understand this. The guy asked a simple question and he's getting pages of editorializing. I would recommend Air Inc. (www.jet-jobs.com) I feel that they helped me quite a bit and there are many ways that you can get coaching from them. If you are willing to spend a bit of money, they would be the place to go. They do offer coaching for specific airlines, in addition to general interviewing techniques. You don't have to be a member to use their services, by the way, but the individual services are more expensive to non-members.


Good luck.

 

[cathal]

At the very least, if all an applicant does is read "Checklist for Success" (by Sheryl Cage) and follow it to the letter, they'll get hired.

If they're not sure about their public speaking skills or one-on-one skills, then the video camera will help them be aware of when they pick their nose or shake too much.

Tell your friend, above all, to be their professional self. Afetr all, they be as relaxed as possible when they're themself.

 

[350DRIVER]

English,

I am sorry as well that you seem to be missing the point here, most do quite well during interviews and the majority don't shell out the extra $$ just to get a self esteem boost, prep, etc, . The majority of pilots do just fine without this interview prep so accept it, whether you like it or not. I can assure you that the vast majority of pilots going into the regional/national/major interviews do not spend this money on this coaching/prep and they do just fine.. I have even come across a few that were not in that "ohh soo emotional" state when they had the 2 on 1, impressive huh?!? )

I had an almost exact experience with a friend of mine that was hired at Eagle in January. She had such a bad interview experience in 1996 that she got out of flying altogether for a while. She was a wreck during our first mock interview practice. She went to see Cheryl Cage in PHX and we worked together on everything she learned there. She felt confident in her interview and is now flying the line.

Your point is? Some people have it and others don't, simple as that.

You are drinking some pretty fukced up kool aid if you truly believe that one cannot be successful without doing the coaching/prep because that is completely and absolutely false.

3 5 0

 

[English]

Again, we can at least agree to disagree? I never said MOST people needed an interview prep, but, many do. It's a good thing you are so high and mighty and didn't need any help from anyone to get where you are.

 

[flx757]

I have to agree that one should do everything in their power to prepare. I would not leave anything to chance. I certainly would advise people to get an interview prep. Even if they were confident. A 3rd party look can often uncover weak areas that you were unaware of. A few hundred dollars is a minimal investment in your career. Everyone goes in with the same (or similar) qualifications. That's what got them the interview. The more prepared, confident, and competent you come across to the interviewers, the better your odds of separating yourself from the pack.

Seems I even recall Albie offering a money back guarantee on his JB prep. How could anyone go wrong there? He has a very strong, proven record. If I (or anyone I know) was going up for an interview, and he offered a prep for that company, I would certainly go...or recommend him to those that I know. Plain and simple.

 

[Flying_Corporal]

English,

I am sorry as well that you seem to be missing the point here, most do quite well during interviews and the majority don't shell out the extra $$ just to get a self esteem boost, prep, etc, .

No, it's not the esteem boost. Some people especially when do go for their first airline interview might not be able to present themselves in the best light.

I've taken Sheryl Cage 2 hour prep class and thought it was average. She did a good resume review and I thought her comments about the resume were good. It's definitely cheaper to practice the interview process with a friend.