Part 3 – Landing Your First Airline Job

By Namita Gupta

How to find that first airline job

Apply as soon as you are eligible to.

One of the great things about aviation is that you don’t have to finish your training before you can already land your first job. While many airlines require you to have your Frozen ATPL license to apply, there are also opportunities to apply while you’re still doing your training. The quicker you land your first job, the fresher and more recent you will be in your skills, which will be helpful when you do your type rating. Some airlines may ask you to pay an additional fee (on top of the type rating cost) depending on how long has passed since you completed your APS MCC.

Search for jobs online

You can start by Googling pilot job boards. When you go online for the first time, you might find many jobs. In that case, my advice is to start by applying for the position you really like or the oldest one. Apply to the attractive position because, although any job is good initially, it is better when you are working for a company you like. Apply to the older positions because job postings can disappear once they receive their maximum applications. Thus, the older the posting, the greater the risk that it will get full fast.

Notify me alerts

In addition to checking job board websites, I also subscribe to job alerts on the airline’s websites (the “Notify me” option). It has happened twice that I found a job opening directly on the airline’s careers page, which was not listed on the aviation job board that I was following.

Check for job postings regularly

Avoid going long periods without checking, as you might miss something good. In my experience, job positions for low-time pilots and non-type-rated pilots – for people who have just finished flight school – disappear quickly because they are in high demand and many people apply. My rule of thumb is to check once a day.

How long to spend on an application

Don’t wait too long to apply. You might want to take your time submitting a perfect application or preparing before an assessment to increase your chances of passing. However, job postings sometimes close early due to high applicant volume, and if you wait too long, you might not even get a chance to apply. They can also close the selection process early if they have all the candidates they need.

The 3-day rule

My advice is to apply for a job posting within 3 days of seeing it. This should give you enough time to research the company and tailor your CV/cover letter. I use the 3-day rule of thumb for myself, but you can choose anything that works for you, and you can always adjust.

The 80% rule

Another rule I like to follow, when I want to submit applications quickly, is the 80% rule. If I am satisfied that my application is 80% good, then I upload it. I like this rule, as I have experienced waiting too long to send an application in, and the posting closing before I was able to apply.

5 things to do once you have completed training and are trying to get that first flying job

1. Get a temporary job (preferably in the field of aviation)

When it comes to airline interviews, you might think that having your CPL/frozen ATPL license is proof enough to show that you have the competencies required for the job. However, that is not necessarily the case, as during the interview, the recruiter will want to hear specific examples. If you feel you don’t have solid examples for questions such as ‘tell me about a time when you had to handle a crisis’ from your flight training days, it is a good idea to start working, as you may encounter such situations in the workplace.

The best-case scenario would be to get a job in aviation, for example, as a flight dispatcher. However, if you cannot find that, then any job is still better than nothing.

2.1 Keep revising the ATPL Theory

By the end of your flight training, you probably will not remember a big chunk of what you studied in ground school. Hence, it is a good idea to go back to your books, as many airline assessments have a theoretical test. If you keep revising bit by bit, when you do need to study before an assessment, it won’t be as overwhelming because you’ve already done some. Avoid leaving the revision for the last minute, as you might get an assessment invitation sooner than you expect. Also, make it fun - I have enjoyed revising meteorology because I can use it in my day-to-day life.

2.2 ATPL resources

Flight school textbooks -> I like this method because my books are written in plain and simple, easy-to-understand language. Moreover, I like how the book’s topics are ordered from the basics, which ensures you get a solid foundation first, then move on to more complex topics.

Airline assessment preparation platforms (online) -> This is a great way to test your knowledge retention and expose you to the types of questions airlines like to ask. A word of caution: even if your package is specific to an airline whose assessment you are preparing to sit, do not memorise the questions/answers because in the actual test, they can be worded differently. If you did not take the time to understand the question and relied solely on rote memorisation, you will find yourself confused and panicked mid-exam.

3. Network

Do not be afraid to reach out to peers who have already passed an assessment or landed a job for advice. You can also talk to any instructor with whom you feel you have a good bond and can trust. Join supportive communities like Elevate(her), where you can find pilot assessment and CV writing tips.

4. Brush up on your language skills (For job seekers outside the UK, in the EU)

Is there a language that you are good at, and with practice, can become good enough at for a professional working environment? Then this is a great time to gain that extra skill. A lot of aviation jobs (especially ground crew) require an additional local language (on top of English).

5. Take advantage of this opportunity for self-improvement

Having a job and building flight hours are important to advancing in your career, and you might find yourself very eager. You work hard during flight school, and this is the last step between you and an airliner jet (if going to the airlines is your dream). But all of that will happen in due time.

What you can do in the meantime is use the time to your advantage, as once you start working, you will get busy! Improve your physical health and strengthen your mind, because as a pilot you’ll need to be fit to fly and able to face challenges.

Next time

Stay tuned for ‘Part 4 – Make Your Mind Your Best Friend’, where I will be sharing habits for a healthy mind.