Airline Pilot Interview

Quick Reference Handbook

Introduction..................................................... 2
About Flightdeck Consulting....................... 2
COVER LETTER..................................................... 3
resume................................................................ 3
ONLINE APPLICATION............................................ 3
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW........................................ 4
RESEARCH............................................................. 4
INTERVIEW ATTIRE................................................ 4
IN YOUR BRIEF CASE............................................ 5
Psychometric testing..................................... 5
GROUP EXERCISES............................................... 6
THE SIMULATOR.................................................... 6
TECHNICAL INTERVIEW PREPARATION................. 7
PANEL INTERVIEW................................................. 7
Airline Pilot Interview
Quick Reference Handbook

Introduction
We have put together this checklist to help you navigate all aspects of
your airline interview, this is however a Quick Reference Handbook (QRH)
designed to ensure you have covered all aspects in your preparation.
For a complete guide on preparing for your interview visit http://www.
flightdeckconsulting.com/products/ or purchase our products directly from
Amazon by typing in “Flightdeck Consulting” in the amazon search engine.
One of the first things we advise our clients on is the importance of success
in each and every interview they attend. Your interview is not a dress
rehearsal but the culmination of years of hard work and preparation. Practice
and preparation are the key to you success.
Fail to Prepare, Prepare to fail
And who knows when you will get that next opportunity and how your future
career will be affected both in dollar terms and progression.

About Flightdeck Consulting

Flightdeck Consulting is the world leader in preparing candidates for their
airline interviews.
Why do our clients achieve extraordinary success? We work in the industry
ourselves with over 25 years of Airline Experience flying Embraer 170/ 190,
A330’s, A340’s, B747-400’s and B777’s.
As International Airline Pilots we have the experience and knowledge to guide
you through all stages of the interview process. Because of our experience
Flightdeck is best positioned to advise you on technical questions and
specific airline operations.
For any assistance or questions regarding your airline interview don’t hesitate
to contact us at [email protected]

Good Luck,
The Team At Flightdeck

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 COVER LETTER

Your cover letter should be both and introduction of yourself, your

aspirations to work with this particular company and why you would
be an asset to their team.
n n n n

resume

Contrary to common beliefs your resume should be a one page

summary of your qualifications, experience, education and personal
details.

Common Mistakes A five page novel of your life which will bore the
reader and end up in the bin.
n n n n

ONLINE APPLICATION

Online applications are now the preferred method of collecting and

disseminating personnel and professional particulars.

They are generally impersonnal and are more often than not vetted
by a HR clerk for suitability.

Tip Considering the above, it is best to tailor your

answers with a HR slant. As this will be the key
to the door of your interview we recommend
employing a professional to prepare your online
application.

Common Mistakes Not printing out your application for future

reference.

AIRLINE PILOT INTERVIEW - Quick Reference Handbook 3

 TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Can be just as critical as the Panel Interview.

Tips It is essential to ensure your phone interview is a

pre booked appointment and not an impromptu
telephone call.
If the phone call is taken and you are not ready,
explain to the interviewer that you are not in a
position to take the call, take their name and
number and call them back at a time that suits
you, or book in an appointment that is mutually
convenient.

Common Mistakes Underestimating the importance of the

telephone interview.
Not being fully prepared for the interview.
Flightdeck Consulting can assist you in being
fully prepared for this essential component of
the interview process.

n n n n

RESEARCH

It is important to thoroughly research and be familiar with the

company you are to interview for.
For guidelines on your research preparation see:
The Complete Airline Pilot Interview Workbook.
n n n n

AIRLINE PILOT INTERVIEW - Quick Reference Handbook 4

 INTERVIEW ATTIRE

Your level of professionalism will immediately be decided by the

panel by your choice and style of your attire.

Common Mistakes Dusting off the old suit from five years ago and
believing it’s still in fashion.
n n n n

IN YOUR BRIEF CASE

1. Updated and signed off logbook.

2. Four copies of your one page resume.
3. Working pens
4. References.
5. Medical Certificate.
6. Licences

Common Mistakes Not having everything filed away neatly in

your bag and having to fidget to find your
documents.
n n n n

Psychometric testing

Testing is conducted by all major airlines to gauge your suitability to

the position being sought. This style of testing can be daunting to
the unprepared.
Fortunately you can practice online.

Resources
http://www.shl.com
The Complete Airline Pilot Interview Workbook.
nn n n

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 GROUP EXERCISES

Some airlines employ a group exercise to observe your behaviour

under a time pressured group environment.

Common Mistakes Taking a back seat, not being receptive to others

input, being over-bearing/ dominant.

Resources
The Complete Airline Pilot Interview Workbook.
nn n n

THE SIMULATOR

Booking a practice simulator session is essential. This should

be done the week before your interview and conducted by a
professional organization.

Resources
Flightdeck Consulting Simulator
nn n n

AIRLINE PILOT INTERVIEW - Quick Reference Handbook 6

 PANEL INTERVIEW

The Behavioural interview is now the preferred style of interview

adopted by the majority of airlines today.
There is no doubt the key to being successful during a behavioral
interview is in your preparation. Have at least 5 scenarios that you
have experienced in preparation for the questions “tell us about a
time ...”
We strongly recommend the use of an aviation interview specialist to
guide and prep you through the process.

Common Mistakes Not being able to provide well thought out,

articulated answers to the panels questions.

Resources
Flightdeck Consulting
The Complete Airline Pilot Interview Workbook.

nn n n

TECHNICAL INTERVIEW PREPARATION

The key to technical questions is not how well you know your stuff
but how you structure and deliver your answers.

Common Mistakes Not knowing when you have said enough.

nn n n

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 Flightdeck Consulting offer a
range of products to assist you
in ensuring you have prepared
correctly for your airline interview.
These include:

The Complete Airline Pilot

Interview Course DVD
This DVD includes:
■■  ight Virtual Interviews to help you perfect your
E
interview technique.
■■  ccess to the “Airline Pilot Interview Work
A
Booklet” 
■■ Simulator Assessment Guide.
■■ Psychometric Testing Information.
■■  omplimentary Email Support from professional
C
airline interview consultants.

The Complete Airline Pilot

Interview Work Book
The structure and delivery of your answers is
essential to portray a confident and competent team
member in your interview. This work booklet  will
guide you on how to structure your answers and
deliver them in a clear, concise and professional
manner.
Chapters include:
■■ INTRODUCTION
■■ THE PHONE INTERVIEW
■■ THE PANEL INTERVIEW

AIRLINE PILOT INTERVIEW - Quick Reference Handbook 8

■■ FIRST IMPRESSIONS
■■ THE FORMAT OF A TYPICAL PANEL INTERVIEW
■■ HOW TO ANSWER THESE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
■■ “Tell us about yourself”
■■  “What do you have to offer our company?”
■■ “Why do you want to work for our airline?”
■■ BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS
■■ TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
■■ SCENARIO BASED QUESTIONS
■■ TOP 50 INTERVIEW QUESTION
■■ GROUP EXERCISES
■■ HELP DESK 

Simulator Assessment
Training
■■  0 minute briefing on all aspects of your
3
simulator assessment, flight instruments,
handling techniques and profile breakdown.
■■  0 minutes of simulator training in a replica
6
737NG fixed base simulator, tailored to your
airline.
■■ Thorough debriefing.
■■ A copy of our simulator assessment guide.
■■  ach instructor is a Current Airline Pilot with
E
a minimum of 500 hours of simulator and
a minimum of 5000 hours of jet transport
experience.

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One On One Interview
Coaching
Our one on one interview coaching
sessions can be done from anywhere
in the world at anytime via telephone
or skype. After receiving your CV and
nominated airline our professional
interview consultant Sasha will
prepare customized interview
session’s specific to you and your
airline.
The coaching sessions have proved to be incredibly successful and can
be done from anywhere in the world via telephone or skype. The personal
coaching session’s are the perfect compliment to the online package or DVD
and will ensure you the highest chance of success at your interview.
When you book your session you will receive:
■■ Access to our Online Course.
■■ Our Airline Interview Work Booklet.
■■ Two one and a half hour personal coaching sessions.
■■ Unlimited email support to discuss any queries or questions you
■■ may have.
■■ Access to our up to date data base of questions currently being
■■ asked by your airline.
■■ A detailed written debrief.

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