Interview prep?
#51
On Reserve
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 15
Yes, they do. But not because they want want to know, they already do. They want to see if you will lie about it. I know the people that do hiring at every major airline and they all say the same thing. They can always tell exactly what company you used for prep. They can even on rare occasion know the exact employee of a company that did your prep. With the number of interviews they do it is not hard to pick up. SWA years ago for a short time was not hiring anyone that used ECIC. No explanation was given as to why, but it was short lived.
Best advise I was ever given when preparing for an interview was... Don't lie!
Best advise I was ever given when preparing for an interview was... Don't lie!
#52
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2019
Posts: 414
Yes, prep companies to not teach you to give scripted answers, but it comes across that way in execution. It bores them and frustrates them, so they give you some rope to hang yourself with.
They know everyone preps and expects you to prep. They just don't like the product these companies are putting out. There is a reason they can always tell what company you used. They also don't like when their exact questions are leaked making them have to do work to come up with new ones. They would rather you just practice, be comfortable, and be yourself.
#53
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Posts: 344
I interviewed in the first few months of Aviate and was given a TBNT along with countless others. Aviate is, unfortunately, one and done so unless the stars align and I get another chance off the street, I'm done with UA, though I still fly their passengers safely every day.
I didn't prep because the Aviate documentation suggested this is not expected or warranted. Because UA HR elects not to disclose why they did not select me I have no idea what I did wrong and therefore no realistic chance to identify and correct any weaknesses.
I recently had the pleasure of flying on the line with a couple mainline guys who came back to my regional while on a COLA, and I just recently had a mainline FO as my seat support in training for upgrade. Got accolades from all of them and even managed to pick up an unsolicited recommendation from the examiner for a training department position before I got out of the sim. Yet UA said no to me.
One of the mainline guys asked if I was going to UA and I had to tell him what happened. He admitted UA HR got their hand slapped for the excessive number of TBNTs during the early days of Aviate. I only wish that came with another chance to interview. Guess I'm going to a LCC or, if I can pick up that LCA credential, the place with the double-breasted suits. Would have been nice to hang out with you guys...
My advice is to prep if you think it will help, but from my perspective it's all a roll of the dice....and I rolled snake eyes.
I didn't prep because the Aviate documentation suggested this is not expected or warranted. Because UA HR elects not to disclose why they did not select me I have no idea what I did wrong and therefore no realistic chance to identify and correct any weaknesses.
I recently had the pleasure of flying on the line with a couple mainline guys who came back to my regional while on a COLA, and I just recently had a mainline FO as my seat support in training for upgrade. Got accolades from all of them and even managed to pick up an unsolicited recommendation from the examiner for a training department position before I got out of the sim. Yet UA said no to me.
One of the mainline guys asked if I was going to UA and I had to tell him what happened. He admitted UA HR got their hand slapped for the excessive number of TBNTs during the early days of Aviate. I only wish that came with another chance to interview. Guess I'm going to a LCC or, if I can pick up that LCA credential, the place with the double-breasted suits. Would have been nice to hang out with you guys...
My advice is to prep if you think it will help, but from my perspective it's all a roll of the dice....and I rolled snake eyes.
#54
Interviewees, There is some terrible advice on here. If you can prep, do it. Interviewing is a skill that very few of us naturally have. No matter how personable, genuine, charismatic and humble you think you are, an interview prep company can explain to you why the answer you thought it was great actually could be terrible.
unless you have been on the other side of the interview table, I think it is hard to understand exactly what the questions are getting at. Most of us tend to think that they are trying to figure out if we are a competent pilot… But the majority the interview is to see if you are a self-aware, decent human being who is willing to learn.
If left to their own devices, most pilots will take a TMAAT question as a chance to show that they are a quick-thinking, good teammate. But a better story (for UAL) is one where you learn something… Not one where you save the day.
basically, most people are think they are better at interviewing than they actually are… I suspect that 90% of people will have a better interview after prepping. Not to mention, that the approach to take with United is 180° different than one at FedEx or Delta. A good prep company can help polish you for different expectations. This isn’t to say that some people can walk into either and nail it… But one environment expects a stiff, respectful candidate, the other is looking for a more humble, cheerful person. Some people can pull off all the above, others need to be careful to not be overfamiliar or overly stiff
unless you have been on the other side of the interview table, I think it is hard to understand exactly what the questions are getting at. Most of us tend to think that they are trying to figure out if we are a competent pilot… But the majority the interview is to see if you are a self-aware, decent human being who is willing to learn.
If left to their own devices, most pilots will take a TMAAT question as a chance to show that they are a quick-thinking, good teammate. But a better story (for UAL) is one where you learn something… Not one where you save the day.
basically, most people are think they are better at interviewing than they actually are… I suspect that 90% of people will have a better interview after prepping. Not to mention, that the approach to take with United is 180° different than one at FedEx or Delta. A good prep company can help polish you for different expectations. This isn’t to say that some people can walk into either and nail it… But one environment expects a stiff, respectful candidate, the other is looking for a more humble, cheerful person. Some people can pull off all the above, others need to be careful to not be overfamiliar or overly stiff
#56
Interviewees, There is some terrible advice on here. If you can prep, do it. Interviewing is a skill that very few of us naturally have. No matter how personable, genuine, charismatic and humble you think you are, an interview prep company can explain to you why the answer you thought it was great actually could be terrible.
unless you have been on the other side of the interview table, I think it is hard to understand exactly what the questions are getting at. Most of us tend to think that they are trying to figure out if we are a competent pilot… But the majority the interview is to see if you are a self-aware, decent human being who is willing to learn.
If left to their own devices, most pilots will take a TMAAT question as a chance to show that they are a quick-thinking, good teammate. But a better story (for UAL) is one where you learn something… Not one where you save the day.
basically, most people are think they are better at interviewing than they actually are… I suspect that 90% of people will have a better interview after prepping. Not to mention, that the approach to take with United is 180° different than one at FedEx or Delta. A good prep company can help polish you for different expectations. This isn’t to say that some people can walk into either and nail it… But one environment expects a stiff, respectful candidate, the other is looking for a more humble, cheerful person. Some people can pull off all the above, others need to be careful to not be overfamiliar or overly stiff
unless you have been on the other side of the interview table, I think it is hard to understand exactly what the questions are getting at. Most of us tend to think that they are trying to figure out if we are a competent pilot… But the majority the interview is to see if you are a self-aware, decent human being who is willing to learn.
If left to their own devices, most pilots will take a TMAAT question as a chance to show that they are a quick-thinking, good teammate. But a better story (for UAL) is one where you learn something… Not one where you save the day.
basically, most people are think they are better at interviewing than they actually are… I suspect that 90% of people will have a better interview after prepping. Not to mention, that the approach to take with United is 180° different than one at FedEx or Delta. A good prep company can help polish you for different expectations. This isn’t to say that some people can walk into either and nail it… But one environment expects a stiff, respectful candidate, the other is looking for a more humble, cheerful person. Some people can pull off all the above, others need to be careful to not be overfamiliar or overly stiff
Why do we practice V1 cuts, RTO, etc…..to be better at them.
My 2 cents.
#57
On Reserve
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Posts: 11
TMAAT when you sat down in an interview room and were told that the interview will be conducted in the STAR format.
I was invited to interview at United Airlines for the position of First Officer. I was told the interview would be conducted using the STAR format. I prepared by reviewing the STAR format and complied by answering the questions they asked in the requested format as required. I now work for United Airlines and in my spare time, I read forums where people debate on whether or not to prepare for a task.
I was invited to interview at United Airlines for the position of First Officer. I was told the interview would be conducted using the STAR format. I prepared by reviewing the STAR format and complied by answering the questions they asked in the requested format as required. I now work for United Airlines and in my spare time, I read forums where people debate on whether or not to prepare for a task.
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