Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Career Builder > Career Questions
How should I explain a resignation when I was employed for a short time? >

How should I explain a resignation when I was employed for a short time?

Notices
Career Questions Career advice, interview prep and gouges, job fairs, etc.

How should I explain a resignation when I was employed for a short time?

Old 08-05-2008, 11:26 PM
  #1  
On Reserve
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 12
Default How should I explain a resignation when I was employed for a short time?

I resigned from a major career due to a family emergency. However, the emergency ended as soon as I resigned. Prior to my resignation, I asked the company to give me a one weeks leave, but they didn't, because I was still in training doing my IOE, and I already had another one week leave.
Now, I am applying to similar airlines, but I worry that the recruiters will see my resume, and will think that I might of been fired, due to my short employement period, and they may never invite me for an interview. They might think who would quit in such a bad time, from one of the best airlines, when there are few airlines hiring now. But, if they call me for an interview, I have my resignation letter, good references from that airline, and medical reports for my family emergency to prove that I haven't been fired.
Will I really have hard time finding a job?

Any advise will be appreciated
nicale is offline  
Old 08-06-2008, 08:06 AM
  #2  
AAmerican Way for AA Pay
 
B757200ER's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: B-737 Pilot
Posts: 1,617
Default

Be honest and present the facts; can't hurt.
B757200ER is offline  
Old 08-06-2008, 10:56 AM
  #3  
Prime Minister/Moderator
 
rickair7777's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,100
Default

Tell the truth. Assuming your PRIA records from that airline do not show any significant training issues, you should be fine. If your PRIA shows training failures, the assumption will be that you resigned in lieu of termination.

Make sure you clearly state what the personal problem was, and how it has been resolved.
rickair7777 is offline  
Old 08-09-2008, 01:50 AM
  #4  
West Coast livin
 
On Autopilot's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Captain
Posts: 984
Default

Originally Posted by nicale View Post
I resigned from a major career due to a family emergency. However, the emergency ended as soon as I resigned. Prior to my resignation, I asked the company to give me a one weeks leave, but they didn't, because I was still in training doing my IOE, and I already had another one week leave.
Now, I am applying to similar airlines, but I worry that the recruiters will see my resume, and will think that I might of been fired, due to my short employement period, and they may never invite me for an interview. They might think who would quit in such a bad time, from one of the best airlines, when there are few airlines hiring now. But, if they call me for an interview, I have my resignation letter, good references from that airline, and medical reports for my family emergency to prove that I haven't been fired.
Will I really have hard time finding a job?

Any advise will be appreciated
Since you already have that information, bring it with you to the interview along with an addendum explaining that. You shouldn't have a problem at all.
On Autopilot is offline  
Old 08-10-2008, 06:24 AM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: Aviation Consultant
Posts: 320
Default

Originally Posted by nicale View Post
I resigned from a major career due to a family emergency. However, the emergency ended as soon as I resigned. Prior to my resignation, I asked the company to give me a one weeks leave, but they didn't, because I was still in training doing my IOE, and I already had another one week leave.
Now, I am applying to similar airlines, but I worry that the recruiters will see my resume, and will think that I might of been fired, due to my short employement period, and they may never invite me for an interview. They might think who would quit in such a bad time, from one of the best airlines, when there are few airlines hiring now. But, if they call me for an interview, I have my resignation letter, good references from that airline, and medical reports for my family emergency to prove that I haven't been fired.
Will I really have hard time finding a job?

Any advise will be appreciated
nicale,

You're right, anyone reading your resume, or application, noting a short employment period will assume there were training issues and you were terminated – regardless of whether it was through resigning or firing. Unfortunately you really can't help that. But the good news is that most people will want to know what happened, not just rule you out because you didn't pass the "other guy's" training.

Without knowing the details of what happened it's difficult to advise. But like the others have stated, present the facts of what happened and if possible I would recommend presenting your training record from that employer.

It is all in the presentation - How you present what happened during your tenure at that company. Recruiters and interviewers will be looking for excuses as it just doesn't make sense that an employer would invest that much money in you only to terminate because you had a medical emergency in the family. Harsh, but true. Let's face it, you were in IOE, which means they already invested thousands in your sim training. It is in their best interest to get you on line and producing revenue. That is what will be going through the minds of the recruiters and interviewers.

You might have a hard time finding a job - given the state of the industry, not just this event on your resume. Everyone who is looking at possible furlough is out looking as well. Competitiveness has shot up dramatically and will continue to climb if airlines shut down or furlough. I don't know where you fall competitive-wise, so that's another difficult one to call.

I hope this helps and I wish you the very BEST.
Lori

Lori Clark is offline  
Old 08-10-2008, 06:28 AM
  #6  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: Aviation Consultant
Posts: 320
Default

Rickair is absolutely right - you're going to have to talk about what the personal issue was, as uncomfortable as it may be, and the resolution. You can't get away with "personal problems" or "medical issues" it leaves too many question marks.
Lori Clark is offline  
Old 08-16-2008, 04:42 PM
  #7  
West Coast livin
 
On Autopilot's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Captain
Posts: 984
Default

Originally Posted by Lori Clark View Post
nicale,

You're right, anyone reading your resume, or application, noting a short employment period will assume there were training issues and you were terminated – regardless of whether it was through resigning or firing. Unfortunately you really can't help that. But the good news is that most people will want to know what happened, not just rule you out because you didn't pass the "other guy's" training.

Without knowing the details of what happened it's difficult to advise. But like the others have stated, present the facts of what happened and if possible I would recommend presenting your training record from that employer.

It is all in the presentation - How you present what happened during your tenure at that company. Recruiters and interviewers will be looking for excuses as it just doesn't make sense that an employer would invest that much money in you only to terminate because you had a medical emergency in the family. Harsh, but true. Let's face it, you were in IOE, which means they already invested thousands in your sim training. It is in their best interest to get you on line and producing revenue. That is what will be going through the minds of the recruiters and interviewers.

You might have a hard time finding a job - given the state of the industry, not just this event on your resume. Everyone who is looking at possible furlough is out looking as well. Competitiveness has shot up dramatically and will continue to climb if airlines shut down or furlough. I don't know where you fall competitive-wise, so that's another difficult one to call.

I hope this helps and I wish you the very BEST.
Lori
O.K. Lori, here's a scenario, I have seen happen at a well known large regional.
I have seen both guys and gals get sent home after going through ground school etc. because they ran across a sim instructor whose personality was horrific. Even when these kids complained, the instructor was not removed and tried to fail them out of sim training. Most just simply resigned, others were asked to leave. I know of one guy from Alaska that was sent home after 3 sessions when he complained about the unprofessional conduct of his sim instructor. When a potential F.O. walks thru your door, and they tell you this story, how is that percieved and what would be the best way to explain that?

This is a sad but true fact of the industry, but for those who have had this experience, what is your recomendation?
On Autopilot is offline  
Old 08-18-2008, 07:39 AM
  #8  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Careercfi's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 112
Default

Originally Posted by On Autopilot View Post
O.K. Lori, here's a scenario, I have seen happen at a well known large regional.
I have seen both guys and gals get sent home after going through ground school etc. because they ran across a sim instructor whose personality was horrific. Even when these kids complained, the instructor was not removed and tried to fail them out of sim training. Most just simply resigned, others were asked to leave. I know of one guy from Alaska that was sent home after 3 sessions when he complained about the unprofessional conduct of his sim instructor. When a potential F.O. walks thru your door, and they tell you this story, how is that percieved and what would be the best way to explain that?

This is a sad but true fact of the industry, but for those who have had this experience, what is your recomendation?
Very good buddy of mine was chased from his right seat during simulator line checks. The guy was line ready, flew line, had a 6 month Sim session cycle, encountered a terrible SIM Instructor, failed & scheduled for a redo.
Same SIM instructor... failed again. One line check with a Captain was failed after that before the pilot was taken off line.
Placed into training, complained about the 2 check rides failed with the same SIM Ins. and was subsequently fired. Sometimes Airlines apparently "over hire" and they have to shed one or two ducks. This was the way of doing it. The problem is that my buddy had a contract with them for T/R reimbursement, which could only be settled in court. Otherwise he would have sat on 30K+ T/R costs, no job and no references. From the SIM ride to his discharge was maybe 1.5 weeks. Why would an airline dump a SIM instructor that does them a favor when all thats on the line is a FO?
Careercfi is offline  
Old 09-14-2008, 06:46 AM
  #9  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: Aviation Consultant
Posts: 320
Default

It is difficult, if not impossible, for me to answer this without knowing the specific details of what happened.

Just as in any profession, there are good instructors and not-so-good instructors. However, an interviewer doesn't know what category this particular one falls into and really doesn't care much. So an honest, open explanation of what happened is required. Careful not to lay blame - as tempting as it may be. Just illustrate what mistakes were made and let the interviewer come to the conclusion that it was bogus.

Don't throw the instructor under the bus!

Hope this helps
Lori
Lori Clark is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
captain_drew
Flight Schools and Training
38
12-05-2012 08:29 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices