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As an aspiring aviator, one of your goals might include getting hired at a certain airline company. Perhaps, you know someone who previously worked in that company and had an excellent experience. Or maybe the airline company of your choice offers an excellent compensation package as well as the opportunity to move to another country.

While your reasons might differ from others, take note that you aren’t the only individual hoping to land a pilot job in certain airline companies. If you want to get hired at a highly sought-after company, the competition might be fierce. Fortunately, there are different ways you can stay ahead and successfully get hired.

Here are four tips on how to secure a job as a pilot at the airline company of your choice.

 

Enroll in a Reputable Flight School

Pilot Trainee in Flight Simulator

If you’re still at the beginning stage of your pilot career, choosing the best pilot school will help support your goal of becoming a successful aviator. The school must run an excellent pilot training program, employ highly qualified instructors, have excellent facilities, and house an adequate fleet of well-maintained aircraft and simulators. It’s also important to pick a flight school that keeps cadets up to date with the latest aviation technology. Make sure the pilot training school also has type rating courses that can prepare you to safely operate modern aircraft.

Additionally, see if the flight school offers networking opportunities to meet with other pilots and representatives from airline companies. This gives you a chance to connect with professionals in the industry and learn from them. It can also give you a peek at what airline companies are looking for when hiring pilots. By investing in your training, you can gain the necessary skills and knowledge to be competent and have a flourishing career.

 

Check the Job Requirements

Before applying as a pilot in a commercial airline, you need to check the job requirements and meet them. In the Philippines, for example, you’ll need an Airline Transport Pilot License to be the pilot in command of scheduled air carriers. If you want to acquire this license, you need to be a current Commercial Pilot License holder and complete your instrument rating. You must also obtain a Class 1 Medical Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. Also, you’ll need to log a total of at least 1,500 hours of flight time.

Depending on the airline company you’d like to apply to, they might also have physical requirements like a pilot’s height. Airline companies have a height requirement because they want to make sure their pilots can quickly manipulate the controls in the cockpit. If you plan to apply to Philippine Airlines, you need to be at least 5’4”. Some international airline companies require pilots to be at least 5’1”, while others accept pilots who are up to 6’2” tall.

Given that every airline company is different, you need to do your research before applying. It’s more helpful if you meet the general requirements first before sending your application so that you can be considered for the job.

 

Craft a Winning Resume

If you fit the airline company’s requirements, the next thing to do is create a resume that will help you stand out. This includes putting information about your education and work experience.

In the part about education, list all the courses you’ve taken even if they aren’t related to the aviation industry. If you completed a bachelor’s course before training to be a pilot, put that in as well—regardless of whether you finished an aviation-related course or studied something completely different like web design. Some airline companies value individuals who have vast knowledge and appreciate someone who has the discipline to learn. Also, remember to place your pilot school as this might give you the advantage of being hired. Many airline companies look for competent pilots who were trained in excellent institutions.

Under your work experience, place the complete list of your employment, if any. If you did some volunteer work, include them too. Plenty of companies appreciate pilots who are dedicated to enriching their skills.

 

Prepare for the Interview

Once you’ve submitted your resume and are considered for the job, you’ll be asked to come in for interviews. Typically, pilots applying for a job go through several interviews and tests. So if you want to ace every single one of them, you need to prepare.

Do Your Research about the Company

Before going to the initial interview, read about the airline company you’re applying for. Research their mission statement, corporate values, aircraft types, and any recent news articles. Learning about such information provides you with strong talking points about why the airline company should hire you. It will also help make you feel more confident, which can make you feel more at ease and possibly impress the interviewer or hiring manager.

Review Technical Information

Aside from researching the company you’re applying for, make sure to brush up on your technical knowledge of flying. Before the interview date, set aside ample time to review pilot techniques and aviation systems. You might want to read about the responsibilities of a pilot before and after a flight as well as analyze flight plans and weather conditions. The interviewer might ask about your recommended approach to certain flight conditions, and you want to make sure you can use the opportunity to show off your knowledge and skills. Remember, your answers to the interview questions can greatly influence the hiring manager’s decision whether to hire you or not.

Whether you’ve always wanted to become a pilot at a specific airline company or had a recent change of heart, you’ll need to prepare for it as you may share the same goals as many other individuals. Consider following these recommendations when planning your career. Hopefully, they will help land your dream job at the airline company of your choice.