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Any secrets to help get noticed?

Old 02-27-2011, 11:32 PM
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Default Any secrets to help get noticed?

Furloughed NJA'er plugging away at my current job..(very fortunate!)

But I know it's not a career job, and I have a place in mind I'd like to be.. (close to home, great equipment, small 135 management type place) Pay is unknown, but has to be better than NJA SIC pay.

I do know a guy there from flight instruction days. But he doesn't make the decisions

From all you guys who make a living working strictly corporate. Are there any hints I should know to get my foot in the door? The guy I know is a pretty good acquantance, but I'm not real sure how reliable he will be to get an interview?

My plan was to write the Pres./CP a nice e-mail simply introducing myself (along with a resume) And then politely asking if it woukld be ok to send updated resumes every so often......

I have pretty healthy times (6500+TT, 4 jet types, 5000+ jet etc..) So I don't think the experience is an issue. I just want to do everything right because there may not be a second chance for smaller outfits..

Thanks!

PS.. visiting the airport or hanging around the hangar to get to know some of the guys is not an option at the moment...
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Old 02-28-2011, 04:08 AM
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Network, network, network, network.

Simply being furloughed NJA *could* be a problem, because NJA SIC pay (more importantly, benefits) is actually pretty good these days compared to typical SIC pay (at least in small-cabin aircraft) and many operators wouldn't want to hire you just to leave when you get recalled. Of course there are ways to mitigate that concern, but it IS a concern some folks will have so be prepared to deal with it.

Best of luck!
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Old 02-28-2011, 04:56 AM
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As BoilerUp says, you need cultivate relationships. I would say 99% of the best corporate jobs are aquired through recommendations from within or from peers (manager to manager). This will get you in the door, but won't necessarily get you hired.

The hardest thing a hiring manager has to do is find someone who will fit into the culture of the department. This has nothing to do with flight time, it has to do with your attitude, appearance, and your interpersonal skills. If the culture requires people with blue hair and you have red, guess what, you won't get hired. I suggest you seek out jobs where you think you will fit.

Another thing the hiring manager might consider is if you are local or not (live within 1 hour of work). If you are local and fit most of the mold, this will be in your favor. (Of course, if you are the perfect candidate, it won't matter so don't let it discourage you).

In my company, if you sent a letter to the President or CEO it would not help at all. I would stick to the Director of Operations or the Chief Pilot (who are normally the hiring managers).

So, if investing the time in networking is not an option, you might need to create a spiffy looking resume that might stand out in the pile of the other resumes with 5000hrs jet and 4 type ratings .

Kevin
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Old 02-28-2011, 07:08 PM
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I don't care how spiffy your resume is, it needs to be walked in personally.
Walk it into everybody, don't mail it and never e-mail it, you never know when they will need somebody.
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Old 02-28-2011, 07:33 PM
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I found a lot of connections on F@cebook, for what it's worth. Being out of the business for a long time hurts, but the connections and interviews are starting to fall into place. Corporate is a relatively small circle, as above, networking is key here.
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Old 03-01-2011, 03:47 AM
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Originally Posted by clipperskipper View Post
I found a lot of connections on F@cebook, for what it's worth. Being out of the business for a long time hurts, but the connections and interviews are starting to fall into place. Corporate is a relatively small circle, as above, networking is key here.
Like any social networking concept - be careful with Facebook etc.

I have seen pilots on facebook who post such absurd stuff I'd never consider hiring them.

I have seen pictures of the bosses airplane with N-number, pictures of the bosses house, pictures of his boat, pictures of passengers, details of every trip the boss takes, hell I have even seen facebook apps people post that show their upcoming filed flight plan!....n-Number, routes, destination...the whole thing. Unreal. We are very small and dont have a social network policy specifically (have a confidentiality clause) but I can guarantee you would be fired for posting some of the stuff I have seen....and rightfully so.

Nothing wrong with a fun anonymous picture or location etc just use discretion. Its not between "friends" (are they your friends because they are on facebook?)....People copy things off Facebook and send them around all the time. I have gotten more than one "do you know f'n idiot" inquires.

Really common sense stuff - but you would be amazed. I would certainly check Facebook when considering a new pilot, and there are people I would never consider or rec'd for a job based on entirely on their facebook postings. Don't put anything there that you wouldn't want the people you fly to see, because they may.

Anyhow - send a resume and follow up with a phone call. Dont just "drop in"..not a good idea at most hangars. It takes years to build up a solid network, theres no magic formula for it...be qualified, be local...outside of that consider yourself a long shot without very good connections and references.

Good Luck!

Last edited by NowCorporate; 03-01-2011 at 06:30 AM.
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Old 03-01-2011, 05:42 AM
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One definitely needs to be VERY careful with Facebook if its being used to professionally network...and that's certainly not limited to the aviation community.

DISCRETION is the word - and as a pilot you not only need to show some in what you do and say, but just how much of those things you tell the world.

While I do have pictures of my company's airplane on FB that include registration number, everything is in accordance with our corporate social network policy (and folks, don't think nobody from your company will check you out, because they do). Additionally, my boss has rebuffed multiple suggestions about joining the BARR program and has told me point-blank that he doesn't care who knows where his plane is going - then again, he's a small businessman in a largely overlooked profession and not a captain of industry. This certainly doesn't mean other owners/operators feel the same way, and the prudent pilot should differentiate between the two viewpoints and know what NOT to post in a given situation for a given operator, and what NOT to post - ever...
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Old 03-01-2011, 06:36 AM
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Originally Posted by NowCorporate View Post
I have seen pictures of the bosses airplane with N-number, pictures of the bosses house, pictures of his boat, pictures of passengers, details of every trip the boss takes, hell I have even seen

Grammar and etiquette also helps.
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Old 03-01-2011, 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by AKASHA View Post
Grammar and etiquette also helps.
the spellin cops are here! - every board needs one.
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Old 03-01-2011, 06:56 AM
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Excellent points. Exactly why I have never joined FB.
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