Algarete

So Ive been reading about how some non-aviation employer dont like seeing on the resume that you are a pilot, and therefore wont hire you because of bad experiences they had with other pilots in the past... so my question is how do you omit that from your resume when you been working as a pilot for the last 4 and then some years? How do you fill that void between your college years and now? Any ideas are much appreciated.

LastTraintoMEM

One idea is to start a business in something you like while your flying. It doesn't have to be profitable. Get a business license and some business cards and if you want, do some business. I did this and used the business license as proof of my employment and never mentioned my 5 years of flying I was doing for actual money.

Or, (as was mentioned in another thread) you can say you were incarcerated. For some jobs that would be the best choice versus saying "pilot"!

mmaviator

someone in another thread suggested not using the word 'pilot/first officer/captain' in your resume. Not sure want your would want to put. A friend of mine is in H.R and saw someone put 'table engineer' on their resume. Funny thing is that once you read the description of duties, it was referring to being a waiter/waitress. I would of interviewed the person and asked details about the engineering of tables.

JumpSeater

You might not be able to get away with not saying that you were a pilot, but what does your job description say about what you did? If the job you are applying for wants customer service skills, then you should describe what you did relating to that, i.e., "Assisted passengers in travel operations, such as, determining appropriate flights to take..." - I know you have helped passengers who missed a connection, right? You just need to be creative in describing what you did. Make an analogy between the FMS and a cash register. It's not like they know what an FMS is anyway. Don't outright lie, but you can describe your job duties as you see fit. There is no defined answer to what a pilot actually does, in my opininion.

There is also nothing wrong with making up your own company. Have you cut your neighbors lawn? Guess what... you own a landscape company. Make the effort to do what it is you say you are doing, but an unemployed architect, is still an architect. You don't have to have a fortune 500 company either. I guarantee you that the little girl down the street will put that she sold lemonade on the corner on her first application. When people ask what I do, I tell them that I own a corporate aviation services company. And yes, it is 100% legit on the books if they do the search. I tell them what I do, but don't tell them that times are tough and really haven't done much in the last year. Remember, just don't lie. Good luck!

wildbill

I've run into the same problem. If you put that you have been a pilot on your application, it seems to be they are not interested. It has been almost a year and the pickings are slim..

SkyStormer6

If you can't leave it out all together maybe put your education and other info above the employment history. that way they see what degrees you have and other accolades before the employment background. Did you have a double major, business minor, or anything else that might appeal to an employer? If so put that info first and elaborate more on that than your pilot career. This is kinda what JumpSeater was saying, just wanted to add to his good ideas.

If this is any encouragement... My friend was furloughed from Comair and was looking for a job with benefits so he could support his family. He eventually got a job as a manager at Walgreens. He has an Aerospace degree from MTSU. Other than flying he worked construction and some other odd jobs. I don't know what his resume looked like but he is smart and I'm sure it had a lot to do with the wording of it. Good luck to you and do not give up.

wmarti31

...but what does your job description say about what you did? If the job you are applying for wants customer service skills, then you should describe what you did relating to that, i.e., "Assisted passengers in travel operations, such as, determining appropriate flights to take..."

This may not be the only issue here. I heard that even the folks at Jeppesen (who are always looking for people with experience in aviation) usually don't want to hire pilots because they are afraid that the pilots will leave as soon as the airlines start hiring again. Did you really quit your flying job or are you a furloughed pilot looking for any job in order to survive until you get a change to get back into flying? These may be some of the questions in your potential employers' mind, but they would not ask you because they might know how you are going to answer.

JumpSeater

I don't think the amount of furloughed pilots has created the general awareness that pilots should not be hired because they are likely to leave as soon as they are called back, but I am sure some employers have been burned this way and will hesitate to hire furloughees because of it. I am sure some pilots will be turned down due to an employers bad experience. Unfortunately that is just the way it goes. Employees tend to feel obligated to the company that hired them until they realize that the employer feels no such obligation.

Algarete

Thanks for the input. I do have my education above work experience on my resume. I just seems never-ending. Ive submitted many apps to different companies, all with no avail. Like Carlos Mencia said it, "time to lower the standards"... we'll see what happens