FedEx Hiring
#1702
To me, this seems like a GREAT way to show your work ethic as you track your history through life. For instance, I listed store clerk at our family business, cook at Hardees, and Self-employed tobacco farmer on my apps back in the early 2000s. I included working at a CFI and photographer at a firm when I was in college. I wanted to show the employer I had been working in some fashion since I was 14. Many folks miss a great chance to drive that point home just going back 10 years. You also miss a chance to make a connection with your interviewer. "Oh..you were at CFI at Kxxx? Did you ever know xxxxxx?"
You cannot always have a contact for that job 20 years ago, and the store may have even been demolished (as was the Hardee's where I worked). Put it down anyway with "business closed" or similar. But don't miss a chance to point out how long you have been working.
The value of this became readily apparent to me a few years ago when I offered to help a friend's son pro-bono apply for a position in our local Congressman's office. He had graduated from UF with two degrees and a solid GPA. He was in his early 20s... A quick synopsis of preparing him to introduce himself went like this...
Me: "Any work history?" Him: "Uh, no. Mom always said my studies should be my main focus..." (Being 25 years old and ever having a job is inexcusable, IMHO. Even the disabled kids end up working in some capacity after high school... Its part of growing up)
Me: "Sports or leadership roles?" Him: "Uh...no. I never got into sports and wasn't interested in many clubs."
Me: "Okay..what did you do when you weren't studying?" Him: "I like video games. I also played a little bit of ultimate frisbee with friends, but was never on a league or anything...."
Me: "Fraternity? Campus organizations? Church?" Him: "No--I'm pretty much an introvert..."
Me: (sigh)
When you are hiring someone--whether its to fly 777s around the globe or deal with constituent issues in your local congressional office, you want someone who has demonstrated both good work ethic and solid customer skills at some point. Even as airline pilots--we have internal customers--fellow crew, dispatchers, schedulers, ramp agents, etc..and in the pax business certainly the paying passengers. Its nice if the employer sees they aren't just getting an good airplane driver, but someone with a little depth as well. I am also convinced that people that have done some of the grittier jobs in life (and most in aviation paid some dues somewhere...) tend to have an appreciation for what they have and an overall healthier attitude and outlook.
In this case, the training I gave the guy was N/A. He was 20 minutes late to the interview because "he sort of freaked" and forgot how to get there. (yes...really). He later got his **** a little more together and worked in a judges office a few months. He is now in law school, and his lack of work experience and social skills probably won't hold him back in such an academic environment. If we ever do have a zombie apocalypse or natural disaster,however, he will last only about four hours after the power goes out.
So--use the look back to show who you are and how you got there. Its a great chance to show your character and work ethic to your potential employer.
#1708
#1710
Just about every millenial I've ever met.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post