tnkrdrvr

My impression was that they didn’t want to hear a bunch canned, heavily edited answers, but they did want to see that you had put effort into prepping for the interview. All of the Good prep services encourage you to be your best self. HR is good with that, especially if you also have some knowledge and of UPS and what it does. To this day, I’m convinced my answer to “what is logistics?” got me hired. The interview is very laid back because they want you to give them some insight into who you are.

PCRAviation

Spot on. That’s the key - present your best self, be enthusiastic, make it clear that you made a serious effort to understand who they are.

Liketoflyjets

I don’t for a second Believe they cared negatively that we prep. They asked, I told them ‘Adam’ and they nodded. I knew the answers to all their questions because of My work, not because Adam had a silver bullet.

whalesurfer

If this is true it’d be a huge change to their past practices. I little over two years ago I know for a fact a couple of guys who’re basically turned down for exactly this reason. Manager acquaintance knew one of the pilot interviewers and checked up on a couple of guys who’d been shot down. Was told “off the record” that early on in the interview process prospective employees were specifically told NOT to use any prep services. Later they answered yes to the prep question. HR will never openly admit it because it could potentially open them up to lawsuits but yes, there is at least one person on the interview team who’s vehemently against interview preps. So maybe this has changed or maybe that particular person is no longer on the interview team. ..

Liketoflyjets

Luck and timing I guess lol

what’s the saying - everything changes, nothing is fair,

senecacaptain

Respectfully,

1. what does "early on in the interview process" mean. Was this from an HR rep at a job fair? I have heard no such thing, but then again maybe I am asleep at the wheel.

2. How is "prep" defined ? Hiring an outside company to prepare your composure/demeanor possibly indeed is prep. What about someone who sits in front of trusted friends, their spouse, and does numerous dry runs. He also reviews UPS history and studies recent investor reports. He gets asked "Did you do any prep". What is the answer.

Thank you

whalesurfer

Great questions.

Yes, attended a job seminar, WAI I believe. When asked for advice on best ways to prepare the recruiter talked about knowing the company’s history, fleet types, markets we serve, basic financials, etc. and at one point stated they “frowned upon” professional interview preps because they teach people how to answer specific questions rather than just being themselves.

The two individuals I’m writing about have 747 and 767 backgrounds, respectively; check airman, instructors, etc.. Don’t know them personally but have been told by their buddies they’re both very good pilots, great instructors and were well-liked by the crews they flew with. One of them lives in Anchorage area and ANC base was his dream..yet, apparently all you need is a recruiter who dislikes the fact they openly admitted using professional interview prep for the interview. :-(
[at least per the manager who acquired on their status]

I am not saying don’t do preps - I did one myself. I simply wouldn’t “advertise it”, that’s all.
“Yes, I practiced interview type questions with the help of my wife, husband, friend, etc...”

Is that being honest? I don’t know, perhaps not. However, how “honest” is the hogan test for example? Supposedly it’s used to assess a person’s personality and his or her leadership and organizational skills.

Some people fail this test and yet 6 months later they retake the very same test and pass? So did their personalities change all of a sudden or did they prep for a test? I think most of us know the answer.

I hope some of the more senior guys/gals here will share their perspectives BUT I’m pretty sure even in the past Brown recruiters preferred no professional preps even though they knew many people used them.

Liketoflyjets

Adam's prep has no secret sauce. That is to say, there is nothing for you to regurgitate and make them annoyed. He has you organize your years of experience into some stories on your own, and he tells you to read about UPS. Then he practices asking you about it. It's really that simple.

Myself and many others would have looked like damn idiots without his coaching. But it's just that, coaching, much like a personal chef and trainer. He can give you artificial deadlines and make you have urgency in being prepared to talk to him and step by step you will be forced to be ready for the interview. But, just like personal training can't lift the weights for you, neither can the prep solve the interview problem for you....it is still up to you to shine and be smart, engaging, charismatic, likable, experienced, and above all...know how to pick Casey out of a lineup :P

whalesurfer

Perfect summary. Personally I don’t think I’d be here without his help. Others might not need any coaching at all. As always, ymmv.

senecacaptain

Thank you for the information