Lori Clark

Welcome!

The intent of this section is to use as a resource for you to ask questions specifically about interviews and the interview process.
My name is Lori Clark and I served as a pilot interviewer and recruiter for many years. Although I really do not regard myself as an expert on anything, I do understand and have experienced the interview process from the perspective of the airline.

In 2004, I “retired” from the airlines and started my own consulting business. Why I began this venture is a multifarious tale, but suffice it to say that a very large piece of the puzzle was my own frustration as an interviewer.
So many times, I wanted to reach across the table and slap a pilot upside the head while asking, “Why are you telling me that?” I gained much more satisfaction in my job from helping people to grow than as a simple evaluator, so began my consultancy.

I am excited to participate in this venue, as I really believe that information is power and the more information you have the more confident, honest and sincere you will be in your interview.
Moreover, it is my goal for you to be successful in your interview!

How this works: Simply post your question and I will respond as soon as I am able. It is that simple!

You may remain anonymous if you wish – but please post legitimate questions. Nobody has time for flame posts.

I look forward to hearing from you!

PS: Please start a separate thread for each new question-- thanks!

hotelmode

I don't have any questions, and hopefully, HOpefully, it will be a while before I interview again, but this is a great idea.

Jughead

Without trying to sound cynical here, is anyone interviewing now and in the near future? From what I read on these boards (so it must be true), the hiring wave seems to be over. Honest question.

Freight Dog

Although there are lulls in pilot hiring, it never completely ceases.

The time to prepare for interviews is anytime you're unemployed or needing a better job in the industry-- regardless of what the overall hiring picture is at the time. Hiring might stop at a particular airline, but it's never for ever.

Before my UPS interview in 1996, I went to Denver and spent an afternoon with Cheryl Cage who tweaked my responses and style. It's the best money I ever spent in my career. Out of my class of 16 pilots, I was the only one who didn't have to wait in a pool-- and I was the least qualified from a flight time perspective. I credit most of that to my interview preparation.

Most pilots won't do this, so those who do go to consultants like Lori definitely get the edge in a tough job market...

Cubdriver

Lori, what's the biggest weakness you see in a typical applicant's interviewing style in terms of things they say or perhaps fail to mention during an interview. Do they tell too much about themselves? Or do they generally not tell enough? Is there a particular quality that interviewers want to see that tends to be missing in some people? We hear that even UPS will occasionally hire someone they feel good about, despite that person's lack of large airliner experience. This would seem to indicate the interview is critical.

Lori Clark

Actually, that is a good question.

The airlines are cyclical with regard to pilot hiring, this is nothing new. Time of year certainly plays a part in the ebb and flow of hiring. And with the current economic state and fuel prices soaring, I personally hope they are streamlining their processes and therefore expenditure for conducting interviews. Frankly, this means a more competitive market in the near term. Yes, there are still airlines hiring – perhaps not the ones that pop into your head immediately – but foreign carriers such as Emirates are not suffering the same economic pinch as US carriers. Other carriers outside the 121 realm, like NetJets, are continuing to hire as well.


Freight Dog brought up a good point… Why do people wait for the airlines to open the hiring flood-gates before they begin preparing? This doesn’t necessarily mean to visit a consultant right away, but rather to get your ducks in a row. If you are ready to make a career move then take advantage of the slow time and start getting prepared. Order your airman record from OK City, order your NDR, update your logbook, review your logbook (for possible stories, etc), start making notes about the airlines that interest you. Be ready for that phone call.

Lori Clark

Lori Clark

Weaknesses are as varied as personalities. Let me take your question one piece at a time…

Style indicates repetitiveness…let’s hope this isn’t the case with an applicant.
It is really more about delivery. People are so wrapped up in being well received that they forget to communicate. So what happens is that although you know what you are trying to say it isn’t always interpreted the way you mean. The expression “that’s not what I meant” comes to mind.

Generally there are two types of delivery from a candidate:

1. The person so relaxed that he/she shares too much.
2. The person so nervous, guarded or self-critical that he/she doesn’t share enough.

Both are commonplace, with emphasis however on the latter. Most people don’t share enough detail for clear communication. Interviewers are trying to determine what kind of person you are and how you resolve situations. Effective communication becomes vital.

A particular quality that tends to be missing. Hmmm. Well, it’s not about one particular quality so much as it is about who you are as a whole. Interviewers must feel like they have really gotten to know you. They need to feel as if they have a solid understanding of how you think and what type of team player you are. That can be a tall order in a 20-minute interview. Keep in mind that the interview is about YOU, not them. As we prepare for interviews we tend to lose sight of that fact. We become so concerned with “what the interviewers want to hear” that we forget they NEED to see the real person.

One characteristic that will shoot you down every time is attitude. If you are perceived with a bad-attitude then the interviewers will pass…they don’t want to expose their entire labor group to a bad-seed. Keep in mind the old adage: “I can teach you to fly my airplane, but I can’t teach you a personality.”


In recent years airlines have, to their credit, zeroed in on the “core person” and their flying experience in relation to the job function. So, yes several airlines have hired folks who have requisite experience, not necessarily from a large airline, that is in alignment with the job they are hiring for. Majors have hired directly from turbo-prop operators and also those with no Turbine PIC.
We have long since forgotten, but airlines used to hire based on the core personality of the candidate only – regardless if they already knew how to fly. They would then teach them the skills for the job and a career was born.

Yes, interviews are critical, for both the airline and the candidate. Interviews are a big deal – they don’t come around every day, and the dream job is once in a blue moon. Effective communication is the number one element for a successful interview.

Hope this helps
Lori

t-cart

Lori, Thank you.

Lori Clark

I'm happy to help. Glad you find this section useful!
Lori

Freight Dog

Hello everyone, just a reminder but please start a new thread when asking Lori a question on her new forum. Thanks!

APC forum admin