1.) pick a regional based on work rules and base. The pay is pretty much the same at most. Some are better than others. If you can avoid commuting, do it..i'm a commuter, and it really isn't nice/fun at all.

2.) APC has a good resume video, and you can find tutorials online everywhere. I used APCs resume builder.

3.) There are a few books you can get "Questions and Answers" is a pamphlet looking thing with a UPS 74 on the cover. "Ace the techincal pilot interview" is another. and gouges gouges gouges..go to www.aviationinterviews.com for whatever airline you're going to interview with.
-HR you can't really study for, answer honestly, but not stupidly is the best way i can put it. They can tell when you're being less than genuine.
-The tech part, know your most complex airplane systems well. If you have 1 hour in a C310 and 100 hours in a PA44..then they're not expecting you to be a whiz at the 310..but know the systems/procedures for the PA44. Know the jepps well..read over the "introduction" in the front that goes over what all the "symbology" means. Also, the Instrument Pilot Handbook (FAA or Jepp version) is helpful.
-The Sim part is difficult to study for, unless you want to go to one of those prep courses. If you have access to a PCATD or Frasca, your best bet is to fly the standard profile(s) that you find on aviationinterviews.com for the airline you're interviewing with. If you can at least have an idea of what to expect (hold entry, approach quirks, etc) then you're better prepared. They're not looking for perfect technique when you fly an airplane you've never flown before / a jet that you have no experience with. They're looking at your procedures and decision making.

4.)Ground school really isn't as bad as people make it out to be. DO NOT learn too much if you're given checklists/procedure manuals before training. It's best maybe to just skim it, but the airline is going to teach you what they want you to know, and HOW they want you to do things. If you start connecting your own dots, you may be setting yourself up for trouble down the road if the airline teaches you differently.

If they do give you stuff, maybe breeze over systems, company policies..get the easy stuff out of the way, but only if it's stuff the company gives you..if it's third party stuff from another airline..i wouldn't go to deep at all.

When i went through, i got some company training manuals from a friend who went through it a few years before, some of it was dated so i didn't do too much..but i breezed through the systems manual, and i found it helped a little bit, cause i had seen it before when we went though that stuff during systems class. (Cockpit familiarization might not be a bad idea..so you're not fumbling around looking for stuff. I knew what most of the buttons did (not necessarily understanding) and where they were)

A clear mind is the best bet, keep yourself motivated throughout groundschool, with an eye towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

5.) Worry about IOE and reserve later, one step at a time is the best way to approach groundschool/sims. If you over extend yourself to prepare for something 3 steps ahead, you're gonna be in trouble. Study what they tell you and when they tell you to do it. I'm not saying don't get ahead, but not too far. The only thing i'd really recommend doing right off the bat is memorizing memory items/limitations. If you can go over those once a night, for the 4 weeks or so (whatever it is) before that particular test, you're gonna be sitting pretty while everyone else in your class is up till 4 am stressing over the 100% required grade.


IOE is fun, great captains (at least at comair)..the first flight is unreal.

Reserve sucks, but it's part of the game. That's all i'm gonna say

Good luck, PM me if you need anything else..my limited experience may be somewhat useful