At some point in your career, you’ll decide to make a career change—and that means navigating the hiring process.
- Perhaps you’re not fulfilled in your current role?
- Maybe the only way to advance professionally is to leave for another company?
- Might you be ready for a different career path altogether?
- Possibly you’ve been let go due to a workforce reduction?
- Or maybe your flight department is closing?
No matter the reason you’re starting the hiring process, you don’t have to go at it alone.
The question is, however, how do you differentiate yourself from those who are pursuing the same job? And, if you were an aviation recruiter, would you hire you?
I’ve seen plenty of candidates fail during interviews for one reason: they simply don’t stand out from the rest of the pack. That’s why, you want to ensure that your cover letter is most memorable. Especially if you’re up against a sea of cover letters and resumes.
How to Stand Out During the Hiring Process
Below are 10 valuable tips to help ensure that you will help you impress an aviation recruiter or hiring manager.
1. Create a Resume that Passes ATS
New job postings attract hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants. This makes it challenging to stand out, especially if your resume doesn’t meet every requirement. And, it takes only six seconds, on average, to impress a recruiter. Even less time to be rejected by an application tracking system (ATS) that’s looking for key criteria.
To effectively pass through an ATS and catch a recruiter’s attention, focus on formatting, content relevance and keyword optimization. Begin by ensuring that your resume is clean and simple in design. Use standard fonts such as Arial or Times, avoid images and use clearly labeled headers (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Skills” and “Education”).
One key strategy is to quantify the impact of your past roles. Use bullet points to list achievements and responsibilities, starting each with strong action verbs. For instance, instead of saying “responsible for managing a team,” use “Led a team of 10 to increase departmental efficiency by 20%.” This provides concrete evidence of your contributions, which both ATS and human recruiters favor. Furthermore, ensure that industry-specific acronyms are spelled out to avoid being overlooked by the ATS (e.g., “Safety Management System (SMS)” rather than just “SMS”).
Leveraging AI can help incorporate the necessary keywords from the job description into your work history, which significantly increases your chances of passing the initial screening process. However, it’s important not to rely solely on AI. Infuse your resume with your personal touch to reflect your unique experiences and qualifications, which can make a stronger impression on recruiters.
Finally, always proofread your resume carefully. Grammatical errors, misspellings, or formatting inconsistencies can be flagged by ATS software or negatively impact your credibility with recruiters. Having a trusted colleague review your resume for clarity and correctness before submission can be invaluable. This combination of careful attention to detail, strategic keyword placement, and a personal touch will enhance your resume’s ability to navigate ATS systems and stand out to hiring managers.
2. Set up a Professional Email Account
Whether you’re emailing a recruiter or directly to the flight department, we highly recommend you create a professional email address. Then use it exclusively for career purposes. All job-related documents (sent or received) can be stored in this professional email account.
You’ll also want to create an email name that is professional-sounding. For example, “CWetherell@sampleemail.com” is more work-appropriate than, say, WetherellFamily12@sampleemail.com.
Google’s “Gmail” is the most popular free email service used among our candidates, so take advantage of it. Using an older email provider (e.g., AOL) may date you, technologically speaking.
3. Update your LinkedIn Profile
When you’re starting the hiring process, updating your LinkedIn profile is essential. After all, it’s often the first place hiring managers and recruiters will look upon receiving your resume. First impressions matter, and your LinkedIn profile is your online business card. Start by reviewing your headline and summary, ensuring they accurately reflect your current career goals and expertise. Use keywords relevant to the roles you’re pursuing, as LinkedIn’s algorithm helps surface profiles based on search terms. Think about skills, job titles and industry-specific phrases that hiring managers are likely to search for. This not only improves your visibility, but also communicates your professional brand clearly.
Your profile picture is another key element. Make sure your photo looks professional, approachable and current. A headshot with a simple background is ideal, and you should aim for attire that aligns with your industry’s norms. For the business aviation industry, a shirt with a blazer for both men and women is appropriate. Avoid using old or casual photos, as they can appear unprofessional. Lastly, be sure to update your accomplishments, certifications, and job history to reflect any recent experience or skills gained, providing hiring managers with a complete, up-to-date view of your professional journey.
Check out: The Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn for Aviation Professionals
4. Create a Digital Portfolio
A “digital portfolio” is an excellent way to showcase your performance, training, skill development, and accomplishments. You can set it up using Dropbox or a Google Drive folder to store important documents. I recommend including your resume, written references, Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and/or Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificates, CAM certification, letters of recommendation, and more.
Sharing a special link to your digital portfolio with an aviation recruiter or hiring manager can make a lasting impression. Be sure to include a compelling “cover letter” in your email, explaining why you’re an ideal candidate.
5. Follow-up Immediately
This tip is critical for any candidate. For nearly all interview situations, a follow-up email to the aviation recruiter and/or hiring manager is expected once you complete an interview. Be sure to send it the same day or the very next day. This is both a professional courtesy and an indicator that you’re genuinely interested in the position.
You can take this a step further by mailing a handwritten letter as well. It’s even more impactful if you send it the same day as the interview. If someone referred you as a candidate during the hiring process, it’s a thoughtful gesture to send them a thank-you note too. You may even consider sending a small gift. Remember to treat everyone with the utmost respect, and continuously demonstrate your appreciation for their time and consideration.
6. Be Mindful of your Appearance
Understanding the company culture where you’re interviewing is key. If the employer leans toward a more casual office environment, it’s appropriate to adjust your attire accordingly. If you’re unsure about their dress code, choose professional attire that boosts your confidence and feels authentic to you. Even if you’re meeting a recruiter or hiring manager over video, looking sharp and professional helps you stand out.
Leave flashy jewelry and strong scents at home. You want the recruiter or hiring manager to focus on your qualifications, not your accessories or fragrance.
Check out: Master Your Aviation Interview: How to Stand Out on Video
7. Be Prepared and Punctual
Would you be late for a flight? Of course not. So, don’t be late for your interview either. And, just like a flight, arriving too early can also be unproductive. Don’t show up more than 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time—even for a Zoom or Teams video conference.
If you do arrive early, you may inconvenience the person you’re meeting with, which can create a negative impression. If it’s your first time at the interview location, check Waze or Google Maps the night before to avoid getting lost.
Most importantly, know who will be in the interview ahead of time and prepare for the questions they might ask. Also, have a few of your own “Do you have any questions” ready. For example:
- What do you find most rewarding and challenging about working here?
- Can you tell me about the team I would be working with?
- How has the company evolved over the past few years?
- How does the company support professional development and training?
- Finally, don’t forget to put your phone on vibrate or turn it off altogether!
8. Expand Your Network
The business aviation industry still maintains a focus on strong human connections and networking, so making a personal connection during the hiring process will play an important role in candidate selection.
At API, we tell our candidates that nine times out of 10, they will get their job through their personal network. This could include receiving a referral from your former college roommate, an industry contact, a neighbor, your church pastor or even a recruiter.
Make a point of attending key industry events where you’ll be able to touch base with your many people from your network in a single setting. Take business cards and connect with them on LinkedIn, so that your name will be top of mind when they return home.
9. Be Human
No matter if you’re a flight attendant, flight technician or pilot, you’re going to need a lot more than an impressive resume—especially if you’ll be flying with a crew on a 10-hour flight to China. Face-to-face communication is paramount.
The hiring manager is going to want to know that you will be a good fit within the culture of the organization and that you share the same values as your colleagues.
10. Partner with an Aviation Recruiter
Long before you begin the hiring process, it can be beneficial to reach out to a talent identification agency like API. If your work history aligns with what we’re seeking, we’ll take the time to understand your career goals and motivations. When an opportunity arises that matches your experience, we may submit you as a potential candidate.
API offers distinct advantages for our API Registered Professionals. We collaborate with respected Part 91 flight departments, many of whose openings are not advertised. These companies rely on us to help identify top talent and align them with teams that will make an excellent “cultural add.”
If you’re positioned for an interview through us, we’ll provide an “insider’s” perspective on the company’s culture. Additionally, we’ll share key insights about the people you’ll be meeting with and assist in presenting your work history in a way that highlights your strengths as a candidate.
Hiring Process 201
Remember, aviation recruiters, hiring managers and HR representatives see dozens, if not hundreds, of applicants for a plethora of jobs over a single month. They review just as many resumes during that same time period.
Using some of the tips I have mentioned above will make your interview and resume stand out from the others, and quite possibly give you just the right advantage you will need to secure your next job.
Lastly, don’t forget that most aviation recruiters are truly excited about bringing eager individuals into their organization, so show them that you are just as passionate as they are to get started!