Aviation Personnel International

I first became associated with API in August 1997 as part of an [outplacement service] severance package. Since then, API has not disappointed.

Over the years, API has placed me in several positions, each one better than the last. API’s commitment to their clients is second to none. Companies that use API to fill positions are the types of organizations flight crews want to work for because they demonstrates a commitment to placing the right people in the right positions.

I consider API an integral part of my career and would highly recommend them to anyone seeking to advance their aviation careers.

There was comfort knowing that the API team was well versed in the outplacement process. They were counselors, psychiatrists, mentors, and friends. Their support, knowledge and skills were invaluable to our entire team. As a participant, the structural and emotional support was outstanding—from writing resumes to guiding our self-discovery and soul searching.

My experience with API has resulted in my dream job. You will serve yourself, your department or future employer well by developing a long-lasting relationship with these fine people.

As I approach my second anniversary, I wanted to thank you again for seeing the ‘fit’ for me in this position. It has been a wild and fun ride, evolving significantly from the staid, predictable place it was when they retained you. My thanks are for my position, and also for helping us create the most cohesive, fun team I have ever been a part of. No dead weight, no agendas, no siloes. Truly a place where we are greater than the sum of the parts. A place where the people know that just culture prevails and respectful dissent is invited, and celebrated. It may be the best job in business aviation.

Having flown for several large departments, I learned early on that when the staff could count on certain predictable levels of stability it created a much more productive and focused working environment for the flight department. API was able to bring this to my former department and we thrived for many years after working with them. Given the opportunity to hire in the future, I would most certainly use API.

Working with API, I was finally able to find an opportunity that was closely aligned with my values, personality and aviation goals. My current organization is one-of-a-kind, and like a family.

Without API, I never would have known this department existed, much less had the chance to present myself at an interview. The API process was slightly more comprehensive and personal than other applications; I attribute this to the success of the match. Sheryl Barden and her team offered enough insight into the position for me to know I was interested and that a potential match was on the table. They stayed in touch throughout the various phases of interview, which removed the majority of the mystery (and nerves) that usually occurs during the vetting process. I have and will continue to recommend colleagues to API.

I'm a big supporter of outplacement services for people impacted by downsizing, and was worried about using an organization that might not have any experience or knowledge of this industry. Thankfully I was introduced to API. This is an organization that thoroughly knows their industry, the marketplace and the intricacies of the outplacement arena. A perfect combination!

Because of their emphasis on fitting the right people to the right position and department, I think that API is the best resource for those looking for a job in business aviation.

The people at API are consummate professionals, and they’ve always provided me with great input to enhance my development as a business aviation professional.

Working with API hasn’t just provided me with job opportunities I would not have found elsewhere, but they have also helped me to efficiently develop professionally.

[The team] at API were tremendous partners as we staffed an entire flight department from scratch. We had extremely strict requirements and a very tight time frame to work within, and a limited network from which to pull candidates, given that we were recruiting in a new location. They provided high-quality candidates and helped us build an excellent team that has exceeded expectations.

While most recruiting firms are merely interested in placing pilots in jobs, the API team is focused on personality and fit. In a corporate flight department, this is a critical component to success. By interviewing the departments to determine culture and needs, they then use a variety of personality tests and interviews to match those needs with potential candidates. This is a unique approach to recruiting.

API guided me through the entire process and were there at every step to ensure my success. They gave me clear idea of what the hiring manager was looking for and helped me prepare for the interview. I went in well-briefed and confident. That allowed me to tailor my answers to preemptively address those concerns.

In this dynamic hiring environment, it’s getting difficult to find people qualified on specific equipment. I was not the candidate on paper that my employer-to-be thought they were looking for. But through API's unique recruiting process, they were able to focus on what the hiring customer really needed.

I would recommend API because, while working as a professional in the aviation industry, my focus has never been on what’s the latest hiring practices companies are using today. API makes this their focus.

As our organization faced impending closure, we looked to API to act as the guiding hand for our members during their transition. API was ready immediately to provide the advice needed as our team faced the challenge of redirecting their careers. It's hard to put a price tag on that, but I can tell you that API's assistance—both in the early days and over the course of several months—was invaluable.

Thank you for talking with me. I have to admit, the whole API process has been quite enlightening. It made me take a good look at the life experiences that made me the man that I am today.

API has an unmatched and in-depth knowledge of the industry and continually present 'top of the class' candidates. They have a deep knowledge of the business and maintain exceptional client relations by making sure that the fit is right for both the individual and our company regardless of the complexity of the search or the length of time. It is a pleasure to work with them. They are smart, intuitive and totally professional.

Of the many strategic decisions we’ve made over the years, using a recruiter like API has had one of the biggest impacts on our operation. Partnering with API was an investment in our future. We don't just hire pilots, we look for people who have the potential to become future leaders. API understood that.

API really knocked it out of the park for our flight department. I don't know how they do it, but they really nailed the cultural fit. We retained API to fill one pilot position. They presented three stellar candidates and in the end, we decided to hire all three. Our team is thrilled with the level of talent that API presented, but more importantly, impressed with how every single candidate fit within our department's culture. Having hired talent on my own in the past, I recognize how incredibly challenging this can be. API was flawless in their delivery and very professional and pleasant to work with.

Calling API was the most important step I took after my retirement from the Air Force. API provided outstanding service that allowed me to highlight and market my skills in order to land my dream job with a world-class corporate aviation department.

We had a challenging hire in terms of finding the right pool of candidates with such a broad and diverse background, which is why we engaged API.

One of the many things I love about the API team is that they take the time to focus on people, their personalities and the right fit.
I feel completely confident that any career opportunity they present to me is worth serious consideration. Their time and effort is appreciated!

I regularly reflect on how lucky I am to be where I am, surrounded by the best in the industry; and I offer my sincere thanks to API for helping me to land this amazing job!

Having been both a candidate for and a client of API, I can attest to the quality of their processes on both sides of the transaction. The API team is discerning, thorough, professional and timely. I was kept apprised of the progress of the search and vetting throughout the process, both as a candidate and client.

As a hiring manager, I found that using their system was so much better than advertising my open position online. I didn’t have to weed through all of the unqualified responses. All of the candidates presented by API were of such a high quality that the final decision was very difficult.

Partnering with API is beneficial in several ways. Their process allowed me to stay focused on my department rather than having to do the lower-level administrative work of weeding through a universe of applicants. I did not need to get involved until a level of vetting had already occurred. API takes care of all of the arrangements for the final interviews.

I would definitely recommend working with API as it’s simply the best way to find the best candidates, particularly in these times.

We’ve consulted with API for over 20 years, and have exclusively hired API candidates to fill all of our pilot positions. Their careful matching of candidate-to-employer has only one drawback: it makes for a very difficult decision. I cannot foresee filling a future pilot vacancy any other way.

We greatly appreciate API’s help finding a Director of Aviation. They are very well-connected in the business aviation industry, highly professional and produced a slate of high-quality candidates within the requested timeframe. API took the time to understand our needs and, most importantly, the candidate fit with our corporate culture. We are very pleased with the results.

API provided the advice needed as our team faced the challenge of redirecting their careers.

It's hard to put a price tag on that, but their assistance—both in the early days and over the course of several months—was invaluable.

This was the first time in 15 years we outsourced to a recruiting company, and I was a skeptical that the team could get a sense of our cultural needs in our initial half-day meeting. API really understood our need for strict confidentiality, the unique job requirements, our owners' preferences and the very small niche in which to find talent. The individual we hired is an extremely strong fit and we're very pleased with the entire API process, and especially the final result. The entire team did a great job.

I just wanted to give a sincere thank you for the career assistance and guidance. API did an excellent job preparing, coordinating and navigating as a liaison between myself and the company.

I would highly recommend API to any corporate flight department that is currently searching for highly qualified aviation professionals.

I'm a big supporter of outplacement services for people impacted by downsizing. API thoroughly knows the aviation industry, the marketplace and the intricacies of the outplacement arena. A perfect combination!

The API team serves as counselors, psychiatrists, mentors, and friends. Their support, knowledge and skills were invaluable to our entire team.

As a participant, the structural and emotional support was outstanding—from writing resumes to guiding our self-discovery and soul searching.