Career Tips

Good news—hiring is on the upswing. In fact, nine of the 18 feeder carriers, along with many other carriers, are currently recruiting. It is time to refresh your résumé and take proactive measures to increase your chances of reaching your goal as quickly as possible. Developing a network of mentors who will help you along the way is important. But another avenue that needs to be addressed is how to network with the companies:

• Job fairs and conferences such as the FltOps.com Global Pilot Career Conferences and Job Fairs, Women in Aviation, and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.
• Recruiter visits to universities, colleges, and flight schools.
• College, university, and flight school career expos and conferences.

Do: Treat your interactions with the recruiters as though you are actually in an interview.

• Come with a professional résumé—one page only and if you are targeting certain companies, put the company name in the objective line.
• Dress for success—find out the dress code. If it is business casual, wear the sharpest outfit you can find. Now is not the time to express your individualism. Choose conservative dress, hairstyle, and go light on jewelry.
• Be respectful and use titles.
• Research the company prior to the event and demonstrate enthusiasm about the opportunity to speak with them.
• Demonstrate a positive and kind demeanor.
• Listen and don’t interrupt.
• Appeal to their expertise and ask what you can do to make yourself a better candidate.

Don’t: Talk down to the recruiters or act like a know-it-all. Always assume the recruiter knows more than you do.

• Wear perfume or cologne as someone might be allergic.
• Assume you are safe from being seen or heard. You don’t know who might be observing you.
• Go off on a tangent about personal issues or noncareer-related items or over-consume their time.
• First impressions make lasting ones, so make sure yours is the best.