Getting a job in the industry

[helicoptertimmeh]

Well I am a commercial instrument rated rotorcraft pilot. I recently logged over 1000 hrs in helis. I have total time of 1300. Im still trying to get a job. Ive had been out of flying for 2 months now. Im worried that I will loose my proficiency if I go with out flying for too much longer. I have applied and applied and still yet to get any interviews. I have 250 turbine time, and time in 5 helicopters, including a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I have spent a lot of money in this career and I need to get a great job to pay off the loans that are now starting to come it. Is there anyone who can help? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Paisley]

Where have you trained? Who did you work for in the past?

Edited March 4, 2008 by Paisley

[JDHelicopterPilot]

Just hang in there. There are several things that you can do to help your chances.

 

1: Have you had someone else look over your resume for mistakes or maybe a better format?

a: visit www.helicoptersalaries.com , there you will find a link to some resume examples.

 

2: Networking is a big key in this industry. If you haven't already it's good to keep in touch with those you went to flight school with, instructors or just about anyone in the industry. I got my CFI job as a result of someone I knew.

 

3: Follow up on your resumes. If you haven't already, follow up. Send in your resume and wait a few days then call and follow up. If possible go there in person to deliver your resume and talk with the CP. I got my first turbine job this way. I wasn't the most qualified guy I am sure but it made a good impression and I worked hard.

 

It may help if you list where you have applied. Have you sent your resume to the Gulf? Era is in hiring mode now. So is Airlog it seems. Do you know anyone that works there? Ask if they would be willing to send your resume up the food chain or let you use them as a reference.

 

It seems you have well rounded flight time. What ratings do you have??? Instrument? If not that will limit you for sure. Are you ATP? That would be easy to add on. Despite what other think an ATP rating could be just enough to put you over someone else with a simular resume.

 

It is a little hard to help you as we don't know much about your background. I hope this helps some.

[helonorth]

Something is very wrong here, man! Either that or you are avoiding the GOM. Try Era, PHI,

AirLog and RLC. If you have already submitted resumes to them, call and talk to the CPs.

It's probably too late for Alaska, but what about the Grand Canyon/ Las Vegas? If you did

your own resume, throw it away and have a professional redo it. Keep it short and sweet.

What are some of the former instructors you know doing? Call them! jsfirm.com has the

most jobs listed of anyone. Spring is coming and the hiring will only increase. You will get

picked up. It's only a matter of time.

[Bell206Pilot]

Hi

 

I suggest that your resume, be professional written as already previously mentioned.

 

Make sure that you can get all of the needed information on to 1 page at the best, only use a second page if absolutely needed...no need for a book here after all

Short and sweet and to the point (most chief pilots are bombed with resumes and have little free time to read your pamphlet style resume)

 

Do a follow up letter, letting them know you will call to speak to them as well, to discuss any questions and concerns that they might have. Send this with in a couple of days of your resume as well, the phone call should be about a day or so after the follow up letter.

 

Don't wait...be somewhat aggressive in your pursuit of the desired job! Show them you want it just a bit more than that other person!

 

Even with this done, expect not to be contacted by a few as well

(there are those with more turbine time and slightly more experience that will be placed in front of you, it is just the way it is!)

 

The job market is in flux right now, lots a mid-time pilots like yourself out there, looking for something.

 

If you are only sending a resume out and not following up, chances are great you'll not hear from anyone!

 

The GOM is honestly your best bet though

 

Fly there for a couple of years and you'll be in a position to move to a location that might better suit your personal desires.

 

Some food for thought

 

I sent my resume twice to my current employer without hearing anything

 

I sent it once again, for a third time and then followed up with the follow up letter and then with a call a day later, got the job after that!

Edited March 4, 2008 by Bell206Pilot

[rick1128]

Well I am a commercial instrument rated rotorcraft pilot. I recently logged over 1000 hrs in helis. I have total time of 1300. Im still trying to get a job. Ive had been out of flying for 2 months now. Im worried that I will loose my proficiency if I go with out flying for too much longer. I have applied and applied and still yet to get any interviews. I have 250 turbine time, and time in 5 helicopters, including a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I have spent a lot of money in this career and I need to get a great job to pay off the loans that are now starting to come it. Is there anyone who can help? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

I really hate to say this, but you might think about looking inward first. Many operators have been burned by low time Riddle grads in the past and it makes them think twice about hiring another one. Thank your predecessors for that one. The basic issue always seems to be that they interview well, but the follow up is weak. In other words, they say what the interviewer wants to hear then do not deliver. The Chief Pilot's job is to minimize problems. If grads from a certain school get a rep as problem makers, these employers will tend to score them lower. I have discussed this issue with Riddle and they admit that they hear these issues all the time from employers.

 

You need to be persistent and check your cover letter and resume over for anything, including tone, that would cause a potential employer not to have thee warm and fuzzies about you. And most of all, when He TELLS YOU WHAT THE JOB ENTAILS AND YOU AGREE AND ACCEPT THE JOB, DON'T START BITCHING THE NEXT WEEK THAT YOU WEREN'T HIRE FOR THAT!

[jehh]

I agree with the prior posts...

 

First, a one page resume. You haven't done enough to need a longer resume, and those of us who have to read them are annoyed by them.

 

Second, get it professionally written, the number of really bad resumes that come across my desk is amazing.

 

Third, network... it is the best way to get a job.

 

Fourth, keep current, fly every two weeks or so, otherwise you'll become hard to hire at some point, due to a lack of currency.

 

Finally, keep after it, persistence works when looking for a job. 100 rejections won't matter when you get a yes.

 

Fly Safe!

[helicoptertimmeh]

Where have you trained? Who did you work for in the past?

i flew at guidance helicopters in az. alot of mountian time. i did do some reviosions on my resume too to make it look like what the companies want to see right away, flight time. and i worked for a private ag company for alot of my flying time

[helonorth]

i flew at guidance helicopters in az. alot of mountian time. i did do some reviosions on my resume too to make it look like what the companies want to see right away, flight time. and i worked for a private ag company for alot of my flying time

 

No offense, and I genuinely mean that, but I hope your resume looks better than this post!

[Wally]

Basics-

I'd suggest some personal contact. Start with people in the biz you know, you've met, and do some cold calls while you're working those leads.

A resume is almost, but not quite, an introduction- unless it's requested. Broadcasting resumes, cold, is a waste of postage. Do you remember any of the bulk solicitation you got in the mail last week? Personal contact, however, is different. You may not be able to reach your ultimate target, get some info. from whoever you talk to, and do some research first- "Uh, you guys got any helicopters?..." Click.

Direct your efforts towards jobs you can fill. Brother, with 1000, or 1300 hours, you don't have "alot of mountian time" or a lot of anything else time. You're a minimal candidate for any 135 operator, you're going to have to sell who you are. The degree could be an asset, especially if there's contacts made in that process that you can work. A little spelling, grammar and a positive attitude will make that credible.

That "great job" you're seeking is out there. You're going to have to go get it, there will be competition.

Edited March 4, 2008 by Wally

[permison]

I really hate to say this, but you might think about looking inward first. Many operators have been burned by low time Riddle grads in the past and it makes them think twice about hiring another one. Thank your predecessors for that one. The basic issue always seems to be that they interview well, but the follow up is weak. In other words, they say what the interviewer wants to hear then do not deliver. The Chief Pilot's job is to minimize problems. If grads from a certain school get a rep as problem makers, these employers will tend to score them lower. I have discussed this issue with Riddle and they admit that they hear these issues all the time from employers.

 

You need to be persistent and check your cover letter and resume over for anything, including tone, that would cause a potential employer not to have thee warm and fuzzies about you. And most of all, when He TELLS YOU WHAT THE JOB ENTAILS AND YOU AGREE AND ACCEPT THE JOB, DON'T START BITCHING THE NEXT WEEK THAT YOU WEREN'T HIRE FOR THAT!

 

What's wrong with Embry Riddle? I wanted to go there but could not afford the tuition at the time. I would be interested to know what the industry thinks of graduates from the school. Did I miss a bullet?

[Helo_Rookie]

Well I am a commercial instrument rated rotorcraft pilot. I recently logged over 1000 hrs in helis. I have total time of 1300. Im still trying to get a job. Ive had been out of flying for 2 months now. Im worried that I will loose my proficiency if I go with out flying for too much longer. I have applied and applied and still yet to get any interviews. I have 250 turbine time, and time in 5 helicopters, including a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I have spent a lot of money in this career and I need to get a great job to pay off the loans that are now starting to come it. Is there anyone who can help? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

 

Have you considered law enforcement? Not sure what part of the country you are located in but Airborne law enforcement is always looking for pilots, take a look at state police organizations and large local city/county departments as well. Do you have any experience with goggles (night vision)? I'm not sure how much you would like working for the govt. but US Customs Air & Marine just posted an opening on USA jobs for pilots, they require 1500 hours but you can waive 1/2 of the basic required hours- but they do required some night/instrument flying.. might be worth looking into- here's the link to the web page

 

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/customs...bp_pilot_lp.xml

 

for the job announcement, log onto usajobs.gov and do a search for "pilot", I think its the 2181 series, not sure though. One more thing, have you considered joining the national guard? I understand you are already a rated pilot however, joining the guard will get you some pic time on a jet ranger and you'll get time on the goggles then of course you'll have your airframe you specialize in (60, 47, 64, 58 etc...) and you'll remain proficient should you decide to take a job in a different field. In my state (Connecticut), the lifestar (air ambulance) pilots are ALL guard pilots so the opportunity to network is there... I would also take a look in the Portland Metro area, there are quite a few operator's in the NW and work ranges from logging, to news gathering... Just my 02.

[rick1128]

What's wrong with Embry Riddle? I wanted to go there but could not afford the tuition at the time. I would be interested to know what the industry thinks of graduates from the school. Did I miss a bullet?

 

Basicly it's their attitude. And this is based on experience. They interview well. When you tell them what the job entails and the pay, etc, they have no problems with it. After they start work they seem to be always complaining about this isn't their job, I didn't agree to that, etc. The ex- riddle instructors seem to forget they are no longer instructors and try to tell the captain how to fly the aircraft. SIC 50 hours in type, Captain 5000 in type, who do you think is right? After a couple of real jobs, they seem to settle down a bit and become trainable. Grads from the Florida campus seem to be worst than the Prescott campus. Plus the part time students or distant learning students exhibit less of these issues. I have discussed this issue with the counselors at Riddle and they tell me that they hear these same complaints from many different employers. Unfortunately, they are part of the problem. They seem unwilling to explain it very carefully to heir students that just because they went to riddle, the aviation world doesn't owe them a thing and they need to deliver what they said and promised they would deliver. And that they have a lot still to learn about this industry.

[helicoptertimmeh]

Basicly it's their attitude. And this is based on experience. They interview well. When you tell them what the job entails and the pay, etc, they have no problems with it. After they start work they seem to be always complaining about this isn't their job, I didn't agree to that, etc. The ex- riddle instructors seem to forget they are no longer instructors and try to tell the captain how to fly the aircraft. SIC 50 hours in type, Captain 5000 in type, who do you think is right? After a couple of real jobs, they seem to settle down a bit and become trainable. Grads from the Florida campus seem to be worst than the Prescott campus. Plus the part time students or distant learning students exhibit less of these issues. I have discussed this issue with the counselors at Riddle and they tell me that they hear these same complaints from many different employers. Unfortunately, they are part of the problem. They seem unwilling to explain it very carefully to heir students that just because they went to riddle, the aviation world doesn't owe them a thing and they need to deliver what they said and promised they would deliver. And that they have a lot still to learn about this industry.

 

 

I can agree with you on that. But those are fixed wing pilots, not rotor heads. When I went to HAI convention the last 2 years the industry liked the fact that Embry was getting into the market. Thats what I was told by the operators there.

[FLHooker]

I am also an Riddle Grad, sometimes I don't even admit that. Working at a FW Flight School, I do see what you are talking about with the attitude, but I would have to agree that some of the people that come out of Riddle who want to go helo's are a lil' more down to earth. There are several people in my unit from Riddle, all helo pilots, and we are pretty much (as far as I can tell) down to earth, relaxed, and know our place when it comes to highly experienced pilots. Again, I definitely know what you are talking about. We had a guy interview today, the dude didn't have a snowball's chance in hell within the first 2 minutes of being in the interview, he was so damn arrogant. Oh well.

 

 

 

CHAD

[Paisley]

FL Hooker, I agree. A lot of the newer people in this industry don't realize that your attitude is just as important as your experience.

[rick1128]

FL Hooker, I agree. A lot of the newer people in this industry don't realize that your attitude is just as important as your experience.

 

Read between the lines of the original post. You have been out of work for two months and you have loans to pay off. You want a great job cause you need the money. Unfortunately, you are still in the dues paying region. Get an entry level position like instructing. Yes I understand it is a lateral move. But it will accomplish a few things. One and most important, it keeps you current. Two, it brings in income. And three, it is easier to get a new job when you already have a job.

 

No one is going to come knock down your door with your current flight experience. You are going to have to go out and knock down their doors.

[Paisley]

Read between the lines of the original post. You have been out of work for two months and you have loans to pay off. You want a great job cause you need the money. Unfortunately, you are still in the dues paying region. Get an entry level position like instructing. Yes I understand it is a lateral move. But it will accomplish a few things. One and most important, it keeps you current. Two, it brings in income. And three, it is easier to get a new job when you already have a job.

 

No one is going to come knock down your door with your current flight experience. You are going to have to go out and knock down their doors.

 

My previous post has nothing to do with the original poster. I was simply saying that I agree with hooker that some people blow their chance before they even get one. In reference to the OP I think he's either a troll or leaving out some critical details.

[rick1128]

My previous post has nothing to do with the original poster. I was simply saying that I agree with hooker that some people blow their chance before they even get one. In reference to the OP I think he's either a troll or leaving out some critical details.

 

Actually I was agreeing with your post. If you read between the lines of the original post, it might show where his problem actually is.

[Paisley]

Actually I was agreeing with your post. If you read between the lines of the original post, it might show where his problem actually is.

 

Sorry. I'm a little slow sometimes. I is a helicopter pilot after all.