Expert: D. Norkus - 7/22/2005

Question
Hello again,

I just ordered the "Questions? Questions? Airline Interview - 2nd Edition
Ace your Human Resources interview". Is this book sufficient to prepare?
Just so you know...I have not taken the ATP written exam.
Do I also need to purchase the ATP written guide or does the Questions, Questions book cover these topics.
If I do, I did not see the ATP written guide in the products section on the jet-jobs website.

Please advice.

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Followup To
Question -
Hi Dottie,

I think you're the best. Your replies and suggestions are very specific and you're the only person that I write to when I come across an aviation-related query.
1. With regard to www.willflyforfood.cc, I registered with them , but unlike www.aviationinterviews.com, I didn't notice any gouges. Am I not looking right?
2. I also looked up www.jet-jobs.com, but never came across "Questions, Questions" guide. Could you guide me here?
3. Do you recommend any particular study guide/book that I need to purchase to prepare
? For instance, reading up on the various gouges, questions regarding ATP, turbines, etc. have been asked. How would one answer questions like.." Where do you see yourself five years from now",
" What would you say your negative aspects/drawbacks as an individual"
" Why do you want to work for our company"
4. If you don't mind me asking, what airline do you work for?

Thanks again.

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Followup To
Question -
Hello Dottie,

I am preparing to send out my resume to the regionals in the next 3 months. However, I would like to ask you a few questions:

1. Do you recommend a particular study guide to prepare for airline interviews at the regionals?
I am a registered member at www.aviationinterviews.com and keep myself updated on the current gouges.

2. What company do you recommend that I look into. What company fleet comprises a good number of CRJ's and ERJ's?

3. Is there any word(s) of advice that you might have for someone like me that's in the process of preparing for an airline interview?

I would appreciate your comments/suggestions.

Thank You.


Answer -
Jascha

Sorry I took so long, but I didn't get a notification of any questions pending!

1. Do you recommend a particular study guide to prepare for airline interviews at the regionals?

If you read AviationInterviews.com you are way ahead of the game. That site is fabulous. There is also www.willflyforfood.cc which you can use to supplement the AI gouge. I used both extensively to prepre when I was interviewing. I also used the Air Inc "Questions, Questions" guide. (www.jet-jobs.com) While not all their products are needed by everyone, they do have several useful interview prep tools. Between all those things and knowing the Jepp legend cold, you should be very prepared.

2. What company do you recommend that I look into. What company fleet comprises a good number of CRJ's and ERJ's?

Right now the growing regionals with the best upward movement are Skywest, ExpressJet & Mesa. Apply everywhere you meet the minimums. Take every interview you can- even if you don't really want to work there. Every interview experience makes you better and hopefully polishes you for the job you really want. You can also take a job you may not want and change carriers. I know of several pilots who accepted a job at one rgional only to quit 6 months later to get on with the company they really wanted. Of course, having 121 experience on their resume is why the second airline called them in the first place, so that first airline job may only be a stepping stone to a better regional. For instance, I heard Air Wisconsin is desperate to fill classes. (Things aren't as rosy there as they once were so people are leaving.) With a bit of 121 time on your resume you have a more competative resume.

3. Is there any word(s) of advice that you might have for someone like me that's in the process of preparing for an airline interview?

It sounds as if you are on the right track. Study up and try to relax. It will be very hard though! It seems as if your whole life will hinge upon your interview experience. I remember when I didn't pass one airlines written exam. I was crushed. You just have to keep in the books, keep building time and never stop trying! You will get an offer. Go for as many airlines as you can and hopefully you will get one to offer you a job. It's the shotgun approach: Spray a lot of shot and hopefully you will hit something.

Good Luck on your interviews!
Dottie
Answer -
1. With regard to www.willflyforfood.cc, I registered with them , but unlike www.aviationinterviews.com, I didn't notice any gouges. Am I not looking right?

There is a menu bar across the top. The interviews tab takes you to this page- http://www.willflyforfood.cc/Interviews.htm

2. I also looked up www.jet-jobs.com, but never came across "Questions, Questions" guide. Could you guide me here?

It's under their products section on the sidebar:
"Questions? Questions? Airline Interview - 2nd Edition
Ace your Human Resources interview". 176 technical questions, answers & references, plus 386 most asked questions by human resource personnel - grouped by topic. Approach, Enroute & Holding Q&A; Weather & Aerodynamic Q&A; A/C System, Tech. & Situational Q&A; Alcohol, Decision & Problem Solving; Personal, Relations & Leadership; Commitment to flying & Situational. Updated technical and HR questions, references (FARs, AIM) and a "Departure" chapter in the technical section." Here is a page link- https://commerce.jet-jobs.com/page26.html

3. "Do you recommend any particular study guide/book that I need to purchase to prepare?"

Other than "Questions, Questions" (which I used and made notes in extensively) I looked over Airline Pilot Technical Interviews by Ronald McElroy (seems like it's aimed for the majors) and The Turbine Pilots Flight Manual by Greg Brown. The Jepp legend is a big part of technical interviews as you will surely have plates, enroute charts & airport diagrams in that portion. The ATP written guide is another as some airlines give an abbreviated ATP exam as part of the interview.


"..For instance, reading up on the various gouges, questions regarding ATP, turbines, etc. have been asked. How would one answer questions like:
"Where do you see yourself five years from now",
"What would you say your negative aspects/drawbacks as an individual"
"Why do you want to work for our company"

Hmmmm, HR questions.... They want anwsers like "I WILL be a regional Captain in 5 years" (if not at that airline, then someplace else). Pick traits you may have that aren't too negative, but that also can be considered a positive sometimes. The reasons you should include about why you'd pick their company could include corporate culture, financial responsibility, happy employees, an employee friends personal recommendation. The Questions, Questions book has many questions that are asked in the HR portions, so you can take the time to think about what you would say then jot down your anwsers to specific questions.

I also did a weekend course in interviewing. I thought it was worth the $200 for the experience. I don't know your area, (there is a Jascha listed in the airman registry in MSP) but there is probably an interview prep course you can take near you or a short flight away. I felt I wanted to do it for my first round of interviews and I think it helped as I got two offers. You might consider it too. Websites that offer prep are www.CageConsulting.com & www.Jet-Jobs.com

4. If you don't mind me asking, what airline do you work for? American Eagle

:O)
Dottie

Answer
Jascha

The Questions, Questions book covers the main points covered in interviews and is an excellent guide. However some carriers DO give an sampling of the ATP written exam as part of the interview process. Mesa, Skywest and Eagle all do and surely others as well. (Check AviationInterviews.com) I wouldn't be surprised if Air Inc does not sell the ATP, but you should consider getting it.

I recommend either the ASA or Gleim ATP written guide. The ASA does have a benefit of having two booklets, with one for all the diagrams and referance materials. This makes it easier to flip to a diagram in a separate booklet instead of in the back of the questions book. I also suggest highlighting the correct anwser, then studying those only as it makes chances or error on the written less. Corect anwser association simply makes it easier but of course mastery of the subject is also preferable. They take the same question and twist it around a bit, with several questions on one subject, so 'correct anwser association' helps.

You should do marvelous on your interviews of you study all these items and are current on your instrument skills. Try not to let your nerves get to you and you will do fine. If they called you in, they want to hire you. As I was told, the job is yours to lose if you made it to the interview". Just show them you are knowledgeable and proficient (if there is a sim ride) and you should get a job offer.

:O)
Dottie