Union activity on a resume

[Morettis]

Is Union activity / involvement seen as a plus or a minus on a resume for a major airline?

I can see how it can go either way, so I'd like to see what the general consensus is.

Thanks

 

[Sacha]

Minus. Look at it logically though. If you have to even ask for an opinion or consensus, then I would err on the safe side and don't put it down or mention it in the interview.

 

[waveflyer]

Irrelevant is the best word. Don't put it down.
That said AlbieF15 is your best resource here- emerald coast is very good

 

[Morettis]

That's what I was leaning towards. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[ASA_DFW]

Do not do it. Keep it off your resume. Do not mention it in the interview.

 

[weasel_lips]

Why in the hell would you put that on your resume? The last thing a company wants to hire is a prounion type. Keep that a secret....

 

[Fubijaakr]

Agreed. I'm a very proUnion guy, but unless it was your only employment, leave it off.

 

[scoreboardII]

Putting union activity on your resume is like putting your political party affiliation is a communist. What could go wrong?

 

[spitfire1500]

If you're applying to Fed Ex, UPS or SWA...definately put it on there..........

 

[Whataburger]

I would put Comm Chair, Schedule Chair or something of that nature. Both of those are leadership positions where you are trying to make a change. I would not put MEC or LOCAL Chair, etc. It shows you might be a pain in the ass.

 

[GogglesPisano]

I mentioned a chairmanship position it on my apps for CAL and DAL and got job offers from both -- but it didn't come up at the interviews. I would also add safety committee work as an asset, especially if you can bring it up at an interview.

These days a resume tells me you're applying to a corporate position. If that's the case leave out any union activity: You may as well show up with open sores.

 

[Sacha]

I would put Comm Chair, Schedule Chair or something of that nature. Both of those are leadership positions where you are trying to make a change. I would not put MEC or LOCAL Chair, etc. It shows you might be a pain in the ass.

Then the pro-company,management knows best interviewer will think to himself...."so this guy didn't think the company was communicating effectively nor did they give him enough time off so he thought since he is smarter than management, he would take a leadership position in the UNION and whip things into shape"..........

The way you view unions and the way the management person interviewing you views unions are most likely worlds apart.....

 

[kommutrdog]

Why invite problems?

 

[IBNAV8R]

Depends on who's actually doing the hiring - the Union or the Company?

 

[Tweaker]

I would say a HUGE positive, depending on the carrier. Most management pukes of ill comport are strictly from the ranks of former yewyun goombahs. They seem to make the best incompetent toadies and lackeys for whatever reason. The price of one's soul is pretty low, but I'm not their accountant, so perhaps I'm undervaluing them.

Give a wink and a nod that you would sell out and there is no end to where you can go!

 

[PCL_128]

Generally a bad idea. The one exception is usually safety work. The safety guys aren't seen as political, and they usually have the respect of the flight ops people who do the hiring. It can be a positive. Anything political, though, avoid it like the plague.

 

[waveflyer]

One thing I respect about you PCL is that you put your name out there visibly at a regional, even while aspiring to the next level -
Do you think that affected you? I assume you took your own advice w/ AT- but did it come up?

 

[PCL_128]

One thing I respect about you PCL is that you put your name out there visibly at a regional, even while aspiring to the next level -
Do you think that affected you? I assume you took your own advice w/ AT- but did it come up?

No, nothing came up at the interview, but they're not allowed to ask any questions about union affiliation in interviews unless the applicant brings it up (federal law). I'm sure they knew of my past union work, but I also had about 6 or 7 internal recommendations, and that really made a big difference in getting a job at AirTran at the time.

 

[Crash Pad]

If his career is any indication... Do not put union work on your resume.

 

[DYLIN]

The one exception is usually safety work. The safety guys aren't seen as political, and they usually have the respect of the flight ops people who do the hiring. It can be a positive.

Such as being a FOQA volunteer or an ASAP ERC member?