Discrimination with my reserve participation
 

I'm always sending out lots of resumes, and there's something with either my cover letter or resume that is hindering me from getting even a call to interview. I believe it's my participation in the Army Reserves, but can't prove it. I went to two interviews this with in the last year, and the chief pilot was really questioning me about my reserve commitment and if I would be deployed or not. Despite me telling him, I've been in nearly 10 years (active duty and reserves) and have never been deployed, even though I wanted to be (wasn't mentioned). I don't believe it's my composition skills, as I've been complimented many times on my ability to write a well written resume and cover letter.

I have put "US Army" on my resume because that encompasses both my active and reserve time. I have heard from other regional/airline/cargo pilots that their participation in the military, either Guard or Reserve, makes it difficult for them to get employment. How have others dealt with this? I'm trying to figure out what it is about my resume that prevents me from getting a phone call to come interview. Every twenty that I send out, I am lucky if I get one phone call to be invited for an interview. It's a bit frustrating.

I have never experienced this with airlines, or even heard of it, but I think could be a problem with a smaller 135 outfit or a part 91 operator. They simply don't have the manpower pool to cover reserve absences without actually hiring a replacement. Not saying it's legal, but it is what it is. For that reason I won't consider corporate flying until I retire (unless something really sweet falls in my lap).

An airline really cannot afford to get a reputation as not being reserve friendly...they all have government contracts which would be at risk and they don't want to scare off military pilots from applying.

Have you evaluated your competitiveness? And do you know anyone inside? If you just meet published mins with no inside connections that is not going be enough to get you an interview at most places.

Also it is probably illegal to ask you questions about your reserve participation at an interview. Well maybe not illegal to ask, but they cannot use that in their hiring decision so they really shouldn't even ask in the first place.

JSF:

Not sure who you're applying to or what you're applying for, but many small outfits post "job openings" as a formality. The fact is, these positions are already filled by someone with an internal connection. It sucks, but many times that's the skinny of it. This just emphasizes the need to network.

RB

JSF,

First of all, all the majors and all the cargo carriers hire both guard and reserve guys, and plenty of them. You didn't talk about your qualifications, which might be either lacking, or at worst, make you non-competitive. You are not the only guy out there with good writing skills, and in fact, most guys, although not so much on this board, have either good skills, or know someone who might have prepared their cover letter and resume.

Also, from your post, it appears to me that you're using the term "Army", when perhaps you should be using the term "Army Reserve." A small point, but one that tells a perspective employer that you're not "full time" Army, but just in the Reserve. I'm sure that from your resume it would be clear, but sometimes the person reviewing the resume might only be looking at the high points first, then deciding if the applicant warrants the additional time to review, in detail, the full resume.

At any rate, it's a numbers game: that means if you have the numbers (qualifications), and manage to get your resume in front of lots of hiring folks, you'll eventually wind up with a job.

Good luck, and don't give up.

Being in the Reserves or a Guard unit shouldn't be an issue even with a 135 operator. We have several people out on drill weekends, and a couple of people currently deployed. If nothing else your military background is a plus, additionally many of the people with whom you interview will be prior military.

Thanks for the input, I'll change it from Army to Army Reserve. I have 700TT and 50 Multi and applied to Great Lakes, but I've only had experience in terms of flight instructing jobs.

Definitely not on this board. It's actually embarrassing what gets written here.

jsf,

I'd say your major problem is probably your lack of experience. 700TT and 50ME is pretty low. Keep up the flying and try to get your multi time up. You'll get calls when your numbers pick up some... Good luck

You need to double those numbers.