Airline Pilot Central Forums - Pilot Networking

Networking is one of the keys to finding the job that suits you best. The question is how to get to know folks that you don't know but who could help you in your aviation career. I work for XOJET and prior to that worked at SWA for 20 yrs. I also ran a my own consulting/interview prep business for 4-5 yrs in the 2004-08 timeframe. I say that not to toot my horn but to simply say when getting advice from folks, the first rule is to know their background and whether their advice is worth taking. Mine is as good as what you are paying for it but you be the judge.

1. First thing, scour the forums and find those persons who routinely post helpful, useful and non-judgmental posts. That takes some time...avoid the trolls but after awhile you will be able to judge for yourself if the tone and tenor of the posts are the kind that are respectful and helpful for others. When you find that person (even if they are ex-NJ folks), send them a PM and engage with them. Initially just PM them but if they are welcome to talking on the phone, ask if you can speak to them to get some questions answered. Pick their brain about the company, the good and the bad. You may make a friend, you may not but you will know more about FJ, NJ or the company you are targeting after talking with them.

2. Before you do that though, do your homework. Don't take the easy way out by not doing the legwork to learn about your the company you want to work for. How? Set up a Google search that will deliver every news article about the desired company and read everyone of those news articles. Search on YouTube for interviews with key leaders....3-4 yrs old is as probably as far back as you need to go. Hear what the leaders say about the company and its future. That will give you a clue about whether you are hitching your wagon on to the right company.

Now I'll stop here and ask what some are saying, "I just want to meet some folks who will help me get hired. How does reading articles get me that type of access." When you are talking to persons in the company, the more knowledge you have about the company, the more likely that person will take you seriously as someone who truly wishes to join the team versus someone who is just trying to get a LOR with minimum effort.

3. Mentioned earlier is visits to FBOs to meet the crews and how some FBOs frown on that. Quite frankly in my 2 yrs I've never seen how that could happen. The FBOs have no way of knowing if you are client waiting to fly out or waiting to meet someone. It doesn't have to be a big FBO like TEB, PBI, LAX. Look up on Flightware.com and see where you favorite company is flying today...EJA is all over the US and will be tomorrow and the next day. When you see one of their airplanes landing at an airport near you, plan your visit to that FBO and be prepared to meet the crews. They maybe letting people off and not in a big rush to get out or they may be waiting for their paxs. You can check with the FBO folks in advance as they will often know. You are more likely to have a chance to speak with them if they are dropping pax off and are overnighting or even if they are flying out, they may not be in a rush but be cognizant of the situation and respectful.

4. What to do if that chance occurs? Have a business card, to give them. Tell them why you are out at the FBO, you wanted to speak to persons who actually work at the company and not just read about it. You will want to have a resume but only provide it if they ask...don't be too obvious. Ask them for their business card if time permits and the situation presents itself. Have your "elevator speech" down of who you are and why you want to work at XYZ. Dress casually but not beach casual. Be respectful and don't ask for a tour of the plane unless they offer it. Covid rules make that tough and you don't want to put the pilots in a difficult situation.

5. Yes OBAP, WIA and other job fairs will start up this fall. Definitely attend those. Visit the booths of those companies you wish to work for and come prepared for an interview as those offers may occur.

6. Friends of your family or friends of friends. Let people know (if they aren't aware already), that you are choosing aviation as a career. Some people know of people in aviation, or they know of friends who have friends who are in aviation. Pursue those leads like you are searching for diamond. They may lead to a dead end but they may not. A family member recommending you to someone or a friend of friend recommending you to someone who is in aviation can lead to a closer relationship that can lead to being mentored by the person.

7. Visiting corporate jet hangars and simply start by expressing interest in learning more about the aircraft and that you are just starting out in aviation and honestly want to make it a career. Most pilots like talking about aviation (and themselves) so asking a pilot how he got into the business will provide a great entry to start a conversation with someone who may only have one thing in common with you and that is a love of flying....but after all, isn't that the only thing that matters?

8. Join FB pages, forums, lurk more than you post and gather intel on the latest trends and lessons learned about aviation careers. Working at an FBO, even part time has led to many persons eventually getting into the cockpit of their dreams...it takes hard work but it can be done.

Just a few thoughts for those who are bored enough to read it. Hope it helps someone...I know I got helped by a lot of folks along the way, just trying to pay it forward. Good luck