I dwelled on the rejections too much, but I was on the right track in trying to discover where I "went wrong." I learned a great deal from every rejection and put my new-found knowledge to use in my next interviews.
where in the selection process the rejection came could give me great insight into why I was rejected. Did the company reject me after the initial interview, where it reviewed my basic qualifications, or did it come in the last phase of the selection process, where the rejection might be based on specific, performance-based skills or personality traits?
When you are interviewing for a pilot position, at what stage the rejection comes is especially important. If you can see through the disappointment and critique your performance honestly, it's possible to uncover some fairly accurate reasons for your non-acceptance.
Not Receiving Interviews
If you're not receiving interviews usually it's because you're not competitive with the current group of applicants. You must review all the "hard" criteria in your background and work toward making yourself more marketable in these areas. Some examples of "hard" criteria:
Education - most pilots applying to airlines today have completed a four-year degree. If your competition has a degree, so should you.
Flight Time - Review the quality of time you are accumulating. Perhaps you and your competition both have 2,000 hours. If most of your time is flight instructing, and your competition has been flying cargo for the last 500 hours, you'll probably have to wait at the back of the line for an interview. Currency is also important. No matter how much time you have, if you haven't flown in the last six months (or longer), you'll drop a notch in the "to interview" pile.
Positions Held - If the airline places an emphasis on pilot-in-command time, and you've been flying copilot for the last two years, it might be time to look for a job where you could gain some PIC time.
Testing Rejection
Many airlines test applicants extensively before the actual face-to-face interview.
Aeronautical Knowledge Testing - If you can't shine in this area taking the next step in the process will be difficult. The remedy is to study like you're preparing for the most difficult checkride of your career. Study the federal aviation regulations, Aeronautical Information Manual, review weather, definitions, and systems. Have a friend give you a practice technical oral exam, or invest in a Practice Technical Oral Interview session with a pilot interview consulting firm.
Psychological Testing - I don't believe there's any way to study for these tests. If you feel weak in this area, it might be worth having an independent counselor give you the test and read the results for you. The counselor won't know the airline's parameters, but it might make you more comfortable about taking the test.
First Interview Rejection
Often, this is the most difficult area to critique. If you find yourself in this position ask yourself the following questions. Was my appearance polished and professional? Was my suit clean and pressed, shoes shined? Was my hair cut or styled appropriately? Was my briefcase in good condition?
Did I have all the appropriate paperwork? Was my application complete? Did I bring all the documentation requested (past employers, college transcripts, current driving record, etc.?) Were my logbooks neat and complete? in the case of any FAA actions, did I have all the paperwork documenting the matter?
Did I have a specific experience for each question the interviewer asked ("Yes, I remember when?), or did I speak in generalities, ("I can't think of a specific time when that happened to me, but if it did I would?")?
Was I able to discuss my problem areas? Did I take responsibility for mistakes, or did I blame others? Did I maintain my composure when pressed about weaknesses or past mistakes? Did I do well on the technical questions?
Some other areas that could cause problems in the personnel interview are problems with training. If you've failed multiple checkrides, this will concern the interviewer. You must critique what went wrong in each checkride and be able to discuss why you failed.
Job hopping is another interviewer concern. Do you have a good reason for leaving? Good reasons include being furloughed, company bankruptcy, or leaving to take a position that offered a move up in seat position or type of aircraft. Poor reasons include just not caring for the company you worked for, or a move down in order to live in a more desirable location.
If you decide that the company rejected you after the personnel interview, you might think about some professional interview preparation consulting. Don't underestimate the importance of a "trial run" before your real interviews. One-on-one interview preparation allows you to make, and correct, presentation mistakes before your next interview.
Simulator Rejection
Even if you score perfect 100s in all other phases of the selection process, you will not get hired if you can't prove your flying abilities. You'd never think about taking a checkride without practice. Don't make the fatal mistake of taking an interview sim ride without practicing in the specific type of simulator (or one as close to it) the airline uses.
Job Offer Withdrawal
Some people make the mistake of not wanting to discuss a potentially troubling medical situation during the airline's medical exam, which takes place after you've received a job offer but before you're employed. Bringing full documentation to this exam is imperative. This may well be the only time you'll have to speak with the airline physician. If you've recovered completely from your illness or injury, make sure you have your personal physician write a letter stating this fact.
A withdrawn job offer also may be the result of poor references from past employers or, perhaps, discovery of information that the airline felt you did not fully disclose to them (such as a failed checkride or a job you did not list). This is why it's important to know what kind of references you will receive, and why you must fully disclose your work, education, flight training, driving, and FAA history.
If you've received more than two rejections, you need to do some serious self-critique and review how you are preparing for interviews. A word of warning: preparing for an interview doesn't mean simply finding out the "gouge," the possible questions and learning "canned" answers. Having a list of questions certainly will make you more comfortable, but you have much more work to do if you are going to prepare for your interviews.
You need to evaluate yourself, then review your approaches to problems with someone who does pilot hiring, or a respected interview consultant. It's okay to discuss your responses and to review the interview process with your friends, but remember, your friends probably aren't pilot hiring experts. Their advice, however well meaning, may be nothing more than "guesses." Don't gamble your career on them.
Individuals who blame others for their rejection are seldom successful. But people who possess an ability to accept constructive criticism and are willing to work on areas of weakness ultimately will be successful in reaching their career goals.
If you receive a letter of rejection, don't wallow in self-pity. Pick yourself up, review your performance with the right person, and vow never to make the same mistake twice. Do this and you will achieve your goals.
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