I made a mistake on my application. What should I do?
If the mistake is an error that makes you ineligible for the interview:
· Overstating flight time
· Incorrectly answering questions about your US citizenship or ability to work in the US
· Incorrectly stating college degrees, First Class Medical or flight ratings/certificates
· Neglecting to list a DUI or job termination or suspension of license, etc.
Then you need to contact the company to point out and discuss the errors with them. The interviewing company will then make a determination as to how or if they want to proceed with your interview.
If the mistake is an error that does NOT make you ineligible for the interview:
- Incorrect address or phone number
- Dates of employment
- Sections that you simply neglected to fill out completely (10 year residential history, etc.)
You then want to correct the application prior to going to your interview.
If your application is on-line then you can usually you can go back on-line and correct the error prior to the date of your actual interview.
If your application is not on-line, then make note of your error and prepare yourself to discuss this at the interview. Be ready for the interviewers to ask you questions about the error that was made and why you weren’t more careful when filling out the application prior to submission.
I have a flight time discrepency in my log books. How do I correct this?
Before you send your resume or fill out any applications it is always a good idea to review the following:
- Audit your flight times.
- If you find that a mistake has been made, make the necessary changes to correct the error. Do not erase, white-out or cross-out information. Instead, go to the next available entry space in your logbook and write AUDIT and the date of your corrections. Then write in the corrected times.
How do I prepare my logbooks for an interview?
Logbooks are your proof of the flight times that you have listed on your resumes and applications. Before you send your resume or fill out any applications it is always a good idea to review the following:
- Audit your flight times.
- If you find that a mistake has been made, make the necessary changes to correct the error. Do not erase or white-out or cross-out information. Instead, go to the next available entry space in your logbook and write AUDIT and the date of your corrections. Then write in the corrected times.
- Tab your checkrides. This helps the interviewer locate the information quickly and it will also allow you a chance to reflect on your checkride history prior to your interview.
- Remove any notes, folded paper or trash from your logbooks. You don’t want the interviewer to open your logbooks only to find your grocery list!
- Make sure all your pages are signed.
- If you have not kept a logbook, it is your responsibility to get a computerized print out of your flight times from your company prior to your interview.
- Be sure to give accurate flight times on all resumes and applications. Potential employers want to know your actual hours, not approximates or guesstimates.
- NEVER, NEVER overestimate your flight times for any reason!!
My flight time in my logbooks does not match the flight time I’ve listed on my airline applications. Is this a problem?
How the FAA allows you to record flight time is very often different than how an airline wants you to present your flight time. (A good example is that the FAA allows you to list student pilot solo time as PIC time, while the majority of airlines only want to see PIC time where you were completely responsible for the aircraft.)
So, do not make any changes in your logbook in order to make your application flight time match. As long as you can clearly justify your flight time on your application…you’ll be fine.
I am a few months away from getting my degree but I'd like to start applying now. Can I go ahead and list on my application that I do have my degree?
No! Answer ALL questions on your application based on your credentials at the time you submit your application. Interviewers may well note the date you submitted your application and compare it to the date of your graduation. Discrepancies will raise eyebrows and concerns about the validity of not just your degree but the information you have submitted on your entire application.
If there is a place on the application where it allows you to list MISCELLANEOUS information, you can list that you will be getting your degree in a few months. (i.e., Anticipated Graduation January 2008, B.S. in Aviation Science)
How do I explain failed checkrides?
#1: Give a number and categorize (if possible)
Give the number of check ride failures right up front. If you have failed two check rides say “Yes, ma’am. I’ve failed two check rides.” Also, if your check rides were during your initial pilot training, say so. However, if your failures are scattered (say private and ATP) then simply give the number of rides failed.
#2: Explain WHAT you failed, not WHY you failed.
WHAT you failed:
I failed my Commercial check ride because my soft-field landing was too long.
NOT WHY you failed:
I was really tired and the weather was bad and I wasn’t used to the airport.
#3 Explain WHAT additional training you received, and WHEN you retook the ride.
I had one more lesson with my instructor. One week later I retook the oral portion of the check ride and passed.
So, now let’s put these steps all together:
Interviewer: Have you ever failed a check ride?
Applicant: Yes, ma’am I’ve failed two check rides. Both were during my initial training.
Interviewer: Tell me what happened.
Applicant: My first failure was my Private Pilot check ride. The examiner stopped the ride when I went outside of the parameters during my steep turns. He gave me an option of continuing the check ride and redoing steep turns on another day or discontinuing the ride. I chose to continue. I then did one lesson with my instructor. A week later I returned and performed the one maneuver and passed.
The second failure was my Commercial check ride. My soft field landing was not up to standards; I went a little long.
I went back and reviewed with my instructor and rescheduled the check ride as soon as possible, which was ten days later. I passed.
I have two (or more) traffic violations in the last 5 years. How do I handle this?
Your driving record is a clear indication of your ability to follow rules and regulations and also provides insight into how you view rules and regulations. For this reason is it imperative that you use CRUISE CONTROL!
However, if you have two or more traffic violations you want to present your information clearly, concisely and in a manner that shows you clearly accept responsibility for your actions.
When asked about driving violations keep it simple but clear:
I have two speeding tickets. The last one in 2005 and the one prior in 2004. Both were for speeding. I went to class for the first ticket and it is not on my record and I paid a $150 fine for the second ticket.
Don't talk about (read: blame) speed traps, being late for work or the fact that you didn't see the speed limit sign!
I was placed on academic suspension. How do I handle this?
If you have been out of school for several years and have shown a good career progression and done well on your flight tests, this question will be asked mainly to see how you handle yourself. As with any other 'problem area', make sure you state the reasons clearly and concisely and take responsibility for your failures.
If you have just recently graduated, your approach needs to be the same. However, be ready for an interviewer to press you on why they would believe you won't do poorly in training. If this is the route the discussion takes keep calm and give them specific reasons why you will be successful: never failed a check ride, taken some 'how to study' courses, etc.
I have been out of the cockpit for several months looking for a flying position. How important is it to retain my currency?
Very important! The majority, if not all, the pilots you are competing with for interviews ARE current. The importance of currency is obvious when you see the question on the company application: how many hours have you flown in the last six months / or year.
I do not have a bachelors degree. Will this be a problem?
If you have already been invited for an interview then the company has decided that the lack of a bachelor’s degree isn’t vital for employment.
However, many corporate and major airlines require a Bachelor’s Degree in order to apply for a pilot position. Those companies that do not require a four-year degree are quickly becoming the minority. Getting a Bachelor’s Degree will open more opportunities for you both professionally and financially.
I am separating from the military in six months. When should I start applying for civilian positions?
We have had thousands of military clients over the years. From this experience we have found that military pilots should begin actively planning the civilian job search 12-18 months prior to separation. You should give yourself at least a couple of months prior to an interview to complete your interview preparation.
I am not happy at my current regional job. How will it be viewed if I 1) leave my current regional job to accept a position with another regional or 2) leave my current job before I have a new job?
Lateral Move: Sometimes it is necessary to make a lateral move. However, you want to make sure that you can explain your decision without speaking too poorly of your past employer. Some acceptable reasons for making a lateral move are: uncertainty of the survival of the company or knowledge that you will soon be furloughed.
Think carefully before leaving because you don't like where you have to live or you don't enjoy the people with whom you work. These are situations that can occur at ANY company. You don't want to give the interviewer the impression that you run away from these types of problems instead of solving them.
Quitting before you have a new job: Don't do it. It is, as they say, MUCH easier to find a new job when you HAVE a job.
I have bad credit. How do I handle this?
Doing a credit check prior to an interview is not just a recommendation but a necessity. Not because many people have bad credit, but because there are so many ways that a mistake can be made in addition to the possibility of identity theft.
Bad credit is not necessarily a deal-breaker for an interview, but it is important for you to be prepared to discuss your credit blemishes.
Areas that cause concern:
- Outstanding debts
- Excessive late payments
- Bankruptcy
- Foreclosure or repossession
When discussing your credit history take full responsibility for your credit problems, discuss the matter openly, and keep your emotions in check. If possible, mention you are working on the situation by working with a credit counselor or attorney. Comments such as, “I filed for bankruptcy right after my good-for-nothing business partner embezzled from me,” is not a recommended approach at an interview. Simply explaining that you filed for bankruptcy after losing your business is sufficient.
If you are currently having some financial issues, do everything you can to show that you are working on resolving the matter in the most productive way.
