Advice for interviews?
 

Hey folks, I just got a virtual interview invite, which will happen mid August. What should i expect for that and, should i be so fortunate as to advance beyond, for the in-person interview? Thanks for your advice….

don’t be weird, don’t be a jerk and don’t lie.

if you’re using a computer in your daughter’s room, make the beds behind you. If your dog barks a lot, ask your wife not to yell at the dog. And don’t read from prepared answers to questions you think you’ll get. And wear pants.

Hey, congrats on the virtual interview. I just did mine a few days ago. Make sure you submit everything they ask for a few days prior to the interview. (give the system enough time to process it) Review the Southwest Careers webpage for their purpose, vision, promise, etc. The person that replied before me is correct. Make sure the room you are going to be interviewing in is clean, organized, and perhaps maybe a picture or two on the wall to show personality. Also make sure a light can be shined in front of you and not behind you, they need to be able to see your face and not the shadow. Have your resume out in front of you. you will be interviewed by one HR and one Pilot and they will ask you a series of questions, WHY SOUTHWEST?, TMAAT, weaknesses, strengths, Do not mumble and have fun. One last thing if you are using a Mac computer, I highly recommend downloading the webex app. The system gave me a hard time allowing the platform to have access to my camera and mic on the web version.

I received the in person invite. The email says expect 4-5 hours. for anyone that has done it recently, is that accurate? And if so, were you able to fly in and out the same day?

It’s best to rely on the footprint they give you. However, I got in the night before and out the day of the interview. IMO, it’s less stressful this way!

good thoughts thanks!

makes perfect sense, thanks……..

about how long was it?

Virtual will be about 40 minutes.

I was in the noon group, started right on time, and was done by 3. But I was among the first called back for LOI and logbook review. You could have a “break” though- there are 3 periods that they run the interview group through. I just happened to be in the do both sections back to back without a break group. I saw some people from the morning group finishing about 11:45.

I’d fly in the night before and have one less thing to worry about. Definitely can get out that evening though.

I would not risk missing the interview because you chose to fly in the day of. Flights do cancel,,,

I just did mine recently and it was very low pressure. That's not to say they don't ask questions that need a serious answer, just that they made it pleasant. I was able to pick from several dates/times for the in person.

36 minutes to be exact.
Yeah I am choosing to fly in early as well, just one less thing to worry about, plus it would really suck to miss an in person interview because of a mechanical issue or weather.

interesting…..what prep program, if any, did you use, and would you say it made a difference ?

I used Spitfire Elite and felt very well prepared.

I used Emerald Coast and felt prepared, not because it gave me the answers but gave me a framework to work with on the LOI. The LOI team specifically said they weren’t looking for the “textbook, prepped answer” so I took what I had learned and modified it. If your logbook is tight and you have the numbers they ask for easily accessible the review becomes more of a conversation hitting a few more HR type questions. I felt it was very low threat and had a good talk with my logbook review FO.

For whatever reason, the SWA interview team appears to disfavor the Emerald Coast program. I’ve heard of a SWA interviewer who suggested he could “spot an Emerald Coaster a mile away.” The implication may be that one digs himself into a hole when he is invariably recognized as someone who utilized their services, thus having to be even more impressive to earn the position.

Furthermore, it is suggested a common reason for rejection is a candidate’s inability to reveal her true nature during the interview process. Said differently, she failed to show who she really is, which gave pause to the decision makers, whose job it is to make hiring recommendations based on her true nature.

Presenting an overly-prepped facade and mistakenly thinking the purpose of the interview is to give so-called “great” answers to TMAAT questions and make solid, timely decisions in the LOI seems to be the downfall of many great candidates.

Instead, consider working with a friend, mentor, or, if need be, a service that will help you effectively organize your thoughts and present them sensibly without taking the “you” out of your experiences. When it comes to the LOI, consider how a sense of urgency and a difficult problem might simply be tools an interviewer uses to peek behind the curtain at the “you” you really are when you’re not paying close attention to your presentation (in favor of solving the problem and making a decision).

Good luck to all of you!

Lol. Just kidding. She got the job.

Did you apply in this current hiring window? I am curious if they are already calling folks that just applied.

Did not pay for prep. Most of the free advice out there is just as good. Just be yourself - there really are no tricks or hacks to get the call.

I made up a mental framework on how I would handle the LOI on the day of the LOI after the briefing that tells you what to expect. Work through the problem until the clock ticks “0”. Then with the paper and pen that they give you, write an honest critique on your performance. This is more important than your actual performance.

Side note-yes work the problem until the time is up, but be sure that there is a decision made in that time. You can critique it in the debrief.

Any advice on the attire for the in person? I know it is a logbook review and the LOI, so does this tend to be a business casual (polo/slacks) kind of thing or a suit and tie affair? They really didn't specify in any of the communication I have seen as of yet.

Everyone wears a suit and tie

absolutely suit and tie

I used EC and felt very well prepared. In my opinion, they do a good job of giving you a framework (not canned answers) for the interview/LOI, and you kinda reap what you sow with the paid prep. I think it’s more about organizing your thoughts, stories, and experiences so they just naturally roll off your tongue when asked a question. Virtual and in person were both very positive experiences… dress sharp, let your personality shine, RELAX, and provide genuine answers to their questions. For the LOI just do what you would do on the flight deck… quickly analyze the issue, use good CRM, be decisive and make a command decision before the clock hits 0:00. Remember they are looking to hire future CA’s with leadership potential and good decision making. Good luck!

Exactly what I expected but figured I would just verify.

Thanks

I used Spitfire and thought it was a complete waste of money, unless you're interviewing for FedEx and have a military background. Complete garbage for half-decent regional folks.

Southwest is upfront about not being associated with any interview prep companies. Just be yourself.

This is why I love Southwest's process over, say, Delta's. They don't want to see a robot.

Bull. Southwest wants polished individuals who interview well. It’s not data, but the only ones who did not make it past my interview group proudly stated they didn’t want to “waste the money on prep” since SWA cared to see the real them. Well, they must have liked “fake” me over real them.

pay the money, get put on the hot seat when it doesn’t have a multimillion dollar career riding shotgun on it, and put the best version of yourself forward on interview day.

did you get the job? The owners of spitfire are certified good people and probably would refund you if you weren’t satisfied. Spitfire worked for me but I also fit your descriptor to a T. I wasn’t a regional guy and I needed all the help I could get to answer questions right and soften my edges.

The only guys in my interview group that didn’t proudly announced that they didn’t do any prep.

Yeah, I received the offer and am excited to start. I was turned off by Spitfire due to the overwhelming majority of the material focusing solely on FedEx. And, as I said, it was very focused on those with a military background. I'm a pure civilian and as a LCA at a regional, I felt that the it was a waste of time. Specifically, the LOI content that they teach does not translate to SWA's setup. If I could go back and get my $600 or whatever it cost, I certainly would. I've always been skeptical of these "expert" consulting firms, as they almost seem like fraud. No hard feelings though, that's just my opinion. You win some, you lose some.

They’re a relatively new company. I’d definitely contact the ownership and express your concerns. Hell, a large part of what I learned in those webinars was listening to guys like you, with 121 experience, answer the questions. Most of the instructors are military transitions to the 121 world and carry the same edges and faults I have.

also, this place is awesome. I’m having a great time so far.

I sat through a Spitfire presentation, in which they addressed the LOI. Their LOI demonstration was way to technically heavy for the Southwest LOI. The Southwest LOI is about CRM/human factors then how long can we hold if we burn 6000# an hour. They also didn't mention the Southwest LOI debrief, which I'm convinced is the most important part of the LOI.

I recently interviewed and got the job. I did interview prep and found it beneficial to the degree it helped me polish my answers. Sometimes even raw talent needs coaching/refining.
I used Vicki Ross and Flight Path Vectors.

As an alternative to paid services. Here’s what I did. My friend was interviewing at a different airline the same week as me. We talked on the phone for about an hour or two discussing TMAAT situations and HR type questions. It helped because we flew together/with the same people at a previous job and we could help each other refine the TMAAT’s. Not so that they were memorized or rehearsed, just kept the details fresh in our minds. A lot of the paid for advice is out there open source on the internet, just gotta sort through the junk for it. It worked out for both of us. He’s wearing a double breasted jacket and I got a free shot of wild Turkey.

I've heard nothing but great things about her. She seems to be the go-to for SWA interviews.

Recite the Astronaut's Prayer, coined by Alan Shepard: