I am new to the airline hiring. I'm just starting to meet minimums with 600 TT and 70 multi. What exactly goes on at these seminar/job fairs. Do you just hand them your resume and thats it? Do they actually interview you on the spot? Do people get hired on the spot? Does attending one greatly increase your chances of getting hired? Can someone with my time benefit?

 

Most definitely.

The day seminar has some good info, some wasted time but it won't hurt you to sit through it.

During the "job fair" portion...yes, hand them a resume. I would also fill out online apps for anyone that you were interested in before hand. Most will match your resume with the online app, and if everything went well "flag" you for your effort (in good way).

It's also a fairly neutral forum where you can ask a Capt/HR questions about your background that may not be good to bring up later (such as, enough hours, experience, goods, others...)

Also, HR having a face to match to a name/resume/app is never bad.

Best case: I talked with the Capt who did my interview at Comair at the AIR, Inc. fair and had previously passed the "tool" check.

Is it required to get an interview/hired? No, but putting the effort/expense to go and talk to a company is always a good thing.

HTH, feel free to PM me.
Spongebob

 

Also, many Regional airlines conduct pre-screening or even on-site interviews.

 

Spongebob:

Where do these Air, Inc. job fairs take place? How do I get in touch with them? What can I expect?


atp

 

jet-jobs.com also google "women in aviation" and "obap". Good for you getting started now.

 

For Air, Inc go here: http://www.jet-jobs.com/seminar/current_seminar.html

Next one is in Dallas on Jan 27th, but they do one every quarter that rotates location.

I (not the I as this is my opinion and may not be best for you) would skip the seminars and just show up on Saturday morning (what I did, and I went to the DC one). I felt I would not get anything out of the seminars. The briefs on Saturday are pretty good - about the industry, what to expect, financial (aka "how an airline makes money"), etc. info necessary to start your pre-interview company study) some interview gouge and each company there gets about 5 minutes to talk about what pilot's they are looking for and why they are better than everyone else.

Somewhere in the middle you will get fed (gotta get something for your $ ); however, this is time to NETWORK with the other pilots there. Bring (make) a stack of business cards, make friends who can help you or you can help (maybe they'll help you sometime) and most of all don't be a prick. You'll notice us military guys do this well Probably the haircuts. Another benefit is there will be all sorts of folks there, from CFI wannabees to furloughed CAPT's, and the more people you talk to the smarter you get on the industry. Oh, did I mention NETWORK? (i.e. keep a list of names and emails!)

At some point they will also raffle off some goodies, to include 73 FO training from Higher Power and others. At the DCA one, a bud of mine got it (I had already done a 73 type at HPA). Mark & crew will let you apply that certificate towards a type/ATP if you have the hours, not sure about the others. That certificate will knock a little more than 1/2 the $ off the type.

After all that, the "fair" part begins. I (there that is again!) made sure my online apps at the companies I was interested in were up to date before I went, and had resume's (3) for each company I wanted to talk to. Not generic, but specific like "seeking a Direct Entry First Officer Position with Cathay Pacific Airlines", and making sure my times/bullets reflected the info/style their application wanted. Specific. I would bring about 10 generic ones as some companies show up unannounced (we had a crew leasing company and Skybus come out of the closet). Business cards are nice too, and if you make your own put your qualifications / hours on the back (like ATP, 737 Type Rating, 3300TT....) and what position you are seeking on the front. Also, jump on line before hand and read the news on each company you are targeting. You want to know what is important for Netjets, vice what is important for Cathay, vice what is important for Comair. They are all looking for different people, and you need to know how to market yourself. Or you may just not be a good fit and need to skip them to focus else where (i.e. if you hate interacting with passengers, don't go fractional, or if you'd never live anywhere but Bumfuque, Iowa, don't bother with Cathay).

Then, go shake hands. Talk to the HR folks, talk about yourself, and why, based on what they briefed earlier, you are the perfect candidate for the company. Most will have a pilot or two there. Talk to them about life at that company. Why have they stayed? What do they like? What should an applicant be aware of that isn't advertised anywhere? (no sh!t..you'll get some great interview gouge). Hand everyone you talk to a resume or business card, and even if they are not "officially" interviewing, they are still deciding if they want to spend a 5 day trip with you based on this first impression.

Some, like Continental, FedEx, etc. are going to have huge lines so budget your time accordingly. Some, like AirTran and CitationShares, use these as a "pre-screen" opportunity, and will significantly enhance your chances for an interview. All are going to match the resume/card you handed them with a previous application and FLAG it.

Key Point: Overall, job fairs (not just Air, Inc, and not just pilot ones) are the ONLY opportunity you have to MARKET YOURSELF and position yourself above the stack of applications back in the HR department, not to mention the network opportunities. Second in importance is that putting the effort into going, knowing about the company, and having a "directed" (personalized?) resume/discussion with the crew about their specific operation shows a desire to work there that you can not show over email.

I hope that helps, feel free to PM me if you have questions.

Good Luck!
Spongebob

 

Sponge:

Thanks alot man. I'm going to use this info in making a decision not only about pursuing Part 121 but, also to determine which route I will take in terms of going to ATP in JAX for their ACP program or pursue all of my licenses/ratings at a local FBO.

Again, thank you for the info.


Marcus
(atpwannabe)

 

great post sponge, i've never attended one of the Air Inc conferences but will definitely try it.

 

What does everyone wear? The interview suit or any other suit?

 

most wear interview type suits, black/dark grey, white shirts, conservative tie, thats the typical dress for the Saturday events. The seminars are business casual.