Stated minimums in most cases are there to discourage the masses and to have a reason to turn down someone who they don't wish to hire anyway. Every company hires people below their stated "minimums". Some hire significantly below their announced "bottom line". If you are a wall flower and politely waits for minimums and then quietly submits a resume then you had better rethink your approach. Every companies HR department is well adapted to say no. You have to rise above that and try again.

SkyHigh

 

I'm not waiting for the mins - once i have my CPL / instrument / ATP written i'm sending away resumes and paying for the AIR inc. job fair and getting out there selling myself...

 

Some recruiters at the job fares will talk to you even if you don't meet their minimums, others will not ... just have to take your chances. As far as I am concerned, those that will not talk to you are people that you won't want to work with anyway! If I were in your shoes, I would go; the people that will talk to you can offer invaluable information that you will not get anywhere else. Talk to the recruiters and also talk to the job seekers ... keep in mind that the job seekers are people that just got their requirements and most of them just graduated from some school or flight course - they can give you the good, the bad and the ugly of what they've gone through, what worked for them and what didn't. As for the recruiters, they can also give you some pointers on where do their successful candidates come from. On the subject of "Career Fares", also keep in mind that there are some FREE ones too (ex. "Climb to 350" usually hosts a free one every other 2 or 3 months or so). Looking back now, I wish I would have gone to the career fares and gotten this information when I was in your position, and that's why I say: "Go do it!" and DON'T GET DISCOURAGED if some do not speak with you!
Good luck!

 

Thanks...I'm not easily discouraged- I've learned one thing in the last 30 years: you have to be persistent, have realistic goals, and a road map on how to get there...One thing at a time...Right now I'm reasearching the industry / getting a feel of where I want to go and what I want to do w/ aviation...When I'm ready I'll jump in and make the best of it...

V/r,
LA