FlyCRJ.com

Is an airline interview in your future? If it is, you might want to read this article by Jason at Flightdeck Consulting.

In my last post, you might remember that Flightdeck Consulting has graciously offered to write a serious of articles for us that will help you, the future airline pilot, be ready when you get called to do your airline interview.

The first article, “Airline Interview Series by Flightdeck Consulting – Part 1 of 5,” Jason introduce the terms “Behavioral Interview.” Click here, if you would like to read it. Basically though, it means that airline interviews are going to be geared more to “who you are” and “what your experiences are” more than do you have the minimum flight time.

The minimum flight time is just what you need to get yourself to the interview. Your fight experience and more important your “personal” experiences are what is going to get you the airline job.

In this second installment, Jason is going to talk about how to prepare and structure your answers so that when the interviewers ask you these types of questions, you have an answer ready. One word of warning, if you don’t think that this preparation step isn’t necessary, then don’t be surprised when they send you a letter saying that you can apply again in six months.

So here is Part 2 of Airline Interviews in 2011:

_____

Airline Interviews – Structuring Your Answers – Part 2

by Flightdeck Consulting

Last week in part one of our series on Airline Interviews in 2011 we talked about the changing landscape of the modern airline interview. Gone are the days of a friendly chat with the chief pilot and his deputy. These days the panel will consist of one or more representatives of flight operations and at least one member of the Human Resources (HR) Department.

And it’s this member of the HR department which is striking fear into the minds of the poor, unprepared, would-be airline pilot. Nobody, no matter how experienced you may be, will get the nod without the approval from this possibly twenty-something-psychology-major-college-grad.

So, how do we prepare ourselves for a behavioral based interview?

We recommend you put together a list of at least five separate scenarios that you can work through and expand on.

Your examples should fall under when you had to: 

1. Resolve a conflict in the workplace or flight deck.

2. Work effectively on a project as a member of a team.

3. Change your communication style to suit a particular environment.

4. Think quickly and on your feet to changing circumstances.

5. Operate outside of your company’s SOP.

Now having put together your list, it is important to structure your answer correctly. We teach our clients to use the acronym S.A.O.

S. Situation –  Explain the situation.
A. Action –  Your Actions.
O. Outcome - The Outcome.

Here is an example.

HR: “Tell us about a time when you had to act quickly and on your feet?”

The Situation

You: “I was operating a charter flight from Torrence to Oakland in a Cessna 310 with four passengers on board. On reaching the circuit area and lowering the landing gear I received both visual and oral cues that the left gear was not fully extended.“

The Action Taken

You: “I silenced the warning horn by retracting the flaps, which both calmed the passengers and allowed me to focus on the task at hand. I actioned the appropriate checklist which included manually extending the landing gear. This gave me the required three green lights indicating the gear was down and locked. To further confirm the gear was down I requested a fly by of the tower. After confirmation by the tower, I extended the landing flaps to ensure there was no warning horn.“

The Outcome

You: “I completed my landing checklist and made a normal approach and landing. On disembarking the group leader commented on my calm demeanor and professionalism during a tense situation.“

Using the acronym S.A.O. will give structure and balance to your answer making it easy to both follow and more importantly deliver.

Next week we will have a look at the most important question asked at any interview, “So <your name here>, why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?”

Flightdeck Consulting are world leaders in providing interview coaching to airline pilots. Through their On-Line Courses, One on One Interview Coaching and DVD’s they have helped hundreds of pilots worldwide achieve their dream of becoming an airline pilot.

_____

I don’t know about you, but that is some good stuff! I would like to add that once you come up with a scenario, you rehearse it with someone and that you record it so you can get an idea of how you sound and look. If you are using a lot of “ah’s” and you fidget, you will want to eliminate them before you go to the interview. Just like you practice maneuvers, you will want to practice your interviews. Also, include non-aviation experiences as well.

To Your Flying Success,

Jeffrey