SWA Reject

[crjdude]

I interviewed a few years ago at Southwest and was subsequently turned down. I know, I know......I left the interview feeling great too. <sigh>

At the time I was pretty bummed but everyone told me not to sweat it. The second time's the charm. No biggy. I'd just wait til I could re-apply and be better prepared next time.
Enter Sept. 11th..........................


Now we are in a very different hiring climate. And I am concerned that rejection may really hurt me now in getting called to interview. I have been pursuing SWA for about 6 years now. It really is the only airline that ever seemed to interest me. I liked the fact that they did things just a little different. I know some guys don't understand but I really want to be a part of that someday.

Can I get some opinions from guys about my real chances with Southwest now.

Thanks.

crjdude

 

[chase]

I applaud you for considering SWA the 2nd time around. Many folks (the last two capts I've flown with) were rejected by SWA. I've known of others with 2 & sometimes 3 interviews before getting hired. Having applied before you have some good things in your favor in my opinion.

1. You pretty much know the process. That can be worth a lot in terms of relieving the angst that many first timers have & that can impact how well they present themselves to the interview board.

2. Your a 2nd timer. What does it say about someone who is willing to come back around again to bare your soul to a company & expose oneself to the introspection & possibility of rejection? Some would say it is a kudo for those who do....is persistence a good thing in pursuing an aviation career? Absolutely & you're showing it.

3. Unlike other applicants you will be able to reference what you have done since you last came to SWA, i.e. increased flying time, job progression, additional training/ratings/education, life experiences, etc. This adds to your data bank of stories & does indicate how you have handled dealing with a setback (not getting hired the first time)....turning a negative into a positive.

Make a careful analysis of what you could've done to improve your interview/chances the last time...LORs, being more relaxed during the interview, logbook confusion & make sure those things are 100% this time around. If there are background things that didn't come out for omission make sure the app is 100% accurate this time. I've know of guys who have gone through the entire process & were just about to get the final call when the final background check found a minor offense many years earlier but since the applicant hadn't made it known on the original app when it was originally filled out their conditional job offer was rescinded...in this case it was a honest mistake & not an intentional omission but the result was the same....no job offer.

Continue to update & feel confident that you'll get the call at some point. No one knows when but view your experiences as a plus & I'm sure you'll make it....good luck.

 

[enigma]

CRJdude. I didn't get hired the first time, nor the second time.

I going to get in line the third time. I won't stop applying until they hire me.

I know of some who took two times, I've heard of some who took three times and I intend to add to that number.

Good Luck,
enigma

 

[capt. megadeth]

That's awesome to be persistent. I think if SWA is what you really truly desire...you have to keep trying and trying and trying. My question is: Why an airline would reject you and then hire you the 2nd or 3rd time around? It sounds slightly crappy to me. Maybe I have a bad attitude, but if their interviewers are so great at picking the right people for the job, how is it that the first time they don't like you and then all of a sudden you are good enough for them?

 

[100LL... Again!]

When it comes to employment, I don't want to work where they don't want me.

If they can't tell that you are a good candidate, the F-'em!

I'll never go back after

Go find someone who wants what you're offering.

Personally, as much as I appreciate the Southwest business model, I don't think I could ever enjoy working there (based on having several SW pilot friends).

So I guess I'm biased.

Besides, no matter how good something looks, it's always a lot different after you get there.

My advice - never get too set on a particular company. Getting your "dream job" (if there is such a thing) can be like finally going out with the "dream girl". She's still gonna have bad breath and smeared makeup in the morning.



--------------------------------------------

Off topic, side note-

Surprisingly, some women can look really pretty good in the morning - bed hair and all.

'Cute in the Morning' beats 'Hot in the Nightclub' every time!

 

[WhiteCloud]

When it comes to employment, I don't want to work where they don't want me.

If they can't tell that you are a good candidate, the F-'em!

I'll never go back after

Go find someone who wants what you're offering.


Besides, no matter how good something looks, it's always a lot different after you get there.

My advice - never get too set on a particular company. Getting your "dream job" (if there is such a thing) can be like finally going out with the "dream girl". She's still gonna have bad breath and smeared makeup in the morning.

While I don't necessarily disagree with your points, the reality is that you have to jump through some hoops to get a job at SWA or any airline. If you don't play the game you don't work there. My opinion is that too many pilots go to these interviews to get some kind of validation that they are good pilots and people. Chances are that once you are employed you'll never see the HR people on the panel again and their opinions won't mean diddly squat. It's just a process to get a job. Play the game.

 

[avoidingmyboss]

I commend all that have been thru the process once or twice and still want to go to SWA. I think it shows that you have integrity that your willing to go thru this process more that once. I have yet to go thru the process so you guys/gals will have a leg up on all of us who haven’t. It doesn’t cost anything to put in your app all your out will be the time. Time to do the app, time to prep, and time off work. In the process don’t forget what’s important in your personal life and like me take time for whatever that is.

PS: how the he!! did I become a senior member?

 

[TWA Dude]

Maybe I have a bad attitude, but if their interviewers are so great at picking the right people for the job, how is it that the first time they don't like you and then all of a sudden you are good enough for them?

Whether or not they like you is certainly important but not the only factor they consider -- one must perform well during the interview. We all have off days but if your interview day is one of them all the charm in the world won't help. I think it says a lot they even give another chance (or two). Afterall there's nothing stopping them from flagging an app with a "Don't re-interview" sticker if they really hated you the first time.

Dude

 

[kelbill]

I don't interview, but hope to sometime down the road. If it were me, I would think that it is a wash overall at worst. 1. Who knows why the folks didn't like you the first time. Could be just that particular person you interviewed with just wasn't your type. Heck, I don't like quite a few of the guys who work here, so explain how the heck they got hired. Hence, the system is imperfect. 2. Interviewing again tells me you really want to work here. 3. You've been through at least the bull session process so far, so should be more confident this time. 4. My thoughts if interviewing would be a. Is this guy competent and b. Can I stand flying a 3day, 4day, or entire month with him/her? So make sure you have some personality too, just not too much. Know your audience. Good luck.

 

[buttercup]

CRJDUDE,


Keep your chin up and give em hell!! You will fulfill your dreams. Don't let circumstances or what ifs dictate your future!!

 

[100LL... Again!]

Let me clarify-

If a significant percentage of those that they interview must re-interview to get the job, then that would not bother me.

If I knew that I really blew the interview, then I would consider trying again.

BUT - if I did a good job on the interview, I would probably not bother trying again, just my own personal ideals.

But I'm pretty stubborn, of course.

 

[Resume Writer]

I would say apply again. As others have said, do not let it get you down. You can use the situation to your advantage, telling them that you REALLY want to work for SWA and you want to be a part of their company. Do your homework, get some interview prep from either Craig or Aaron and give it another shot. Everything happens for a reason and maybe you were just not prepared to work there before.

Good luck!
Kathy

 

[RVSM]

Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with hiring anybody.

It is a numbers issue. We interview say 200 folks a month for what ...30 slots. You don't even get the interview unless you are qualified so it becomes less about who sucked and more about who stood out. A lot of folks interview 2-3 times before making the cut. It does say a lot about someone when they get up off the arena floor and get back on the bull. Keep improving your interview/interpersonal/flying skills and Cowboy up for the next go around.

CAS

 

[crjdude]

I'd like to thank everyone for the encouraging words.
Hopefully the next go 'round I'll be better prepared. Defenitely more mature and just a little bit wiser. I've already decided I'll keep applying until I'm either on property or SWA starts returning my mail and changes all their phone #'s. :>

Hopefully I'll see many of you in DAL someday.

Thanks again.




crjdude

 

[majortool]

Does a boxer quit if he loses a fight? Nope. He gets up again and goes back in the ring after he looks at what he could have done better. My friend, be like Rocky, and win the fight!

 

[capt. megadeth]

I definitely commend you for being persistent and following your dream. Don't let what anyone (including my negative self) discourage you. The whole "playing the game" thing is what is pathetic. They (not just SWA...but every airline) say "oh just be yourself...be honest)....YA right...
Playing the game to me means being pretty much fake and making up b.s. stories. It's always annoyed me and always will...although I did finally get a job when I did it that way....he he

 

[Bake]

Estimated 500 next year. The years following are projected to be big also. We have 400 more airplanes coming between now and 2012. However, anything can happen it could be a few more or alot less depending on the economic environment.

We all hope for the best.

Bake!!

 

[PilotAg]

I was a two-timer and now I am in my third week of training. Go for it, it is better to have tried and be denied than always wonder what could of been. It is definetely worth a second go around. I still think my first interview was better than my second.