Nealoc187

I'm going to be finishing my commercial SEL and MEL here in the next few months and after that going to be looking for a job - most likely CFI though like everyone else, I have the pipe dream of jumping into something different without having to spend a year or two instructing.

I got to thinking though, besides pilot experience, what about resumes? My resume isn't exactly strong. It will be well prepared but my work history has nothing to do with flying or anything that demanding really. Spent some 4.5 years as a pizza delivery guy in highschool and early college, 2.5 years working at a large national bank doing credit card collections, then the last two years working for machine shop.

I will likely have some strong to very strong references on my resume from some very successful people who are high up at hugely successful large scale companies - but my own personal work history is not terrific. I don't have any internships or anything. Education will be a bachelors in Aviation Flight Science from a good university, but after a lengthy college career because of a change of major 4 years in when I was a semester away from being done and alot of part time semesters because I was working to pay for school. Before that I was accepted into a hard-to-get-into highschool for accelerated mathematics and science (something like 1 in 100 kids who apply get in, etc). Had very strong test scores on the ACT and SAT and all that crap, but I doubt when you're 27 and trying to get hired as a newbie pilot that most flying jobs will care about that sort of thing. Seems like they only care about your logbook (which when I'm done with my commercial will likely only have about ~250TT and ~20 multi).

So I guess my question is how much bearing does your non-aviation related work history, educational history, etc. My background check will be good except maybe for driving history, I'm a bit worried about that (I've had probably 5 or 6 speeding tickets since I was 16 - nothing more major than that though).

rickair7777

Regional airlines have hired ex-astronauts, ex-submarine commanders, doctors, lawyers, cops, soldiers, bartenders, to name a few. They also hire plenty of folks right out of school with just some CFI experience.

You have a 4 year degree, that's good.

The odd jobs you had while in school are not too important, they are not really looking at that (as long as you don't have a history of disciplinary problems).

For references, you REALLY want some letters from professional pilots. Character references are good, but a non-pilot can't speak with authority about your piloting potential.

The tickets shouldn't be a problem as long as they were minor moving violations (no reckless/DUI) and you don't have many within the last two or three years.

As far as experience, the CFI thing really is good experience and you will get more respect in the industry for having done it. Some professional flying experience is all your resume really needs at this point. You will also hopefully make some connections for your all-important pilot network.