Applying to be a pilot
When applying to be a pilot, employers may ask to meet with you for an interview so they can evaluate your qualifications for the position. You can answer their questions in a clear, confident manner to convey your piloting skills and abilities.
But what are the recruiters really looking for?
Hiring interview: the first F-14 pilot
Jim Guibault, former US Navy F-14 Tomcat pilot, T-2C IP, and current B757/767 captain, explains on Quora;
‘When I got out of the Navy in 1994, the major airlines weren’t hiring. I needed to get a job that would keep me current, so I applied to several small “commuter” airlines. Their typical new-hire would be somebody who just reached enough hours as a flight instructor or charter pilot to legally fly for an airline, and they weren’t used to applicants who’d been doing this:
‘As I waited with the dozen or so interviewees, I kept a pretty low profile about my background. At 32 I was about the oldest person in the room, so I tried to help calm them about the process by reminding them that the company needed pilots, so we weren’t asking for a favor by being hired.
‘Then it was time for the individual interview. The head of training and the HR guru sat me down and weren’t quite sure what to make of me. I was clearly the first (and probably only) F-14 pilot they’d ever interviewed, so they fumbled with questions like “Um… what makes you think you can handle a 250-knot turboprop?”
Hired by an airline
‘Then came the clincher: “So, why should we hire you versus all those other people out there?” They expected an answer involving hundreds of carrier landings, flying supersonic, blah, blah so I must be a great pilot. Instead, I thought for a second and said “I’m sure any of us can fly your planes just fine. I’d like to think I’m the sort of person who you can sit next to for ten hours, and not want to slug.”
‘The interview screeched to, a halt. Director of training looked at the HR dude and said “Write that down.” HR said “Already got it.” They thanked me, shook my hand, and I knew I had the job.’
Guibault concludes;
‘Had a blast flying these things, even if it was only for the nine months until I got hired by my current employer.’
Photo by LTJG P. J. AZZOLINA / U.S. Navy and Eric Salard via Wikipedia