You’ve truly become a pilot! You’ve put in the hard work, obtained your CPL, and likely your Multi Engine Instrument Rating. The days have been long, and the nights even longer, especially since you’ve probably been working to make ends meet as well.
Just when you think it’s time to reduce the thrust, you actually realise it is time to go full throttle, raise the landing gear, retract the flaps and venture out to secure your first job.
It is not an industry for the faint of heart, nor for those who lack genuine passion. This industry demands blood, sweat and tears to achieve success and truly excel. You must consistently maintain an advantage that sets you apart from your competition. And what is that advantage? It’s simply you.
Sure, you can obtain your first aid, dangerous goods certification, CRM, turbine time, and so on. While these qualifications are valuable, if you can’t communicate effectively, make others feel at ease, and demonstrate professionalism, confidence and knowledge, you won’t get noticed at all.
A significant part of your first job as a pilot involves customer service. You may be responsible for clients whose accounts are worth hundreds of thousands to the company. Therefore, it’s essential to showcase your personality and people skills in this role.
After more than 25 years in aviation, focusing on cabin operations and training, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing where it all starts for pilots at flight school.
Student Pilots demonstrate dedication and determination, studying and flying during the day, while working at night. They are taking on loans, that their pay cheques will pay off later. Most are fresh out of school or university. However, what flight schools do not brief on, are the soft skills necessary to secure your first job.
The most important thing you can do while at flight school is build your network. I know the term is throw around like a frisbee at the beach, but what does it really mean? It’s not just about gathering a few business cards and thinking you have connections. You need to make a lasting impression on the people who will be making decisions about your employment or recommending you for positions. You might be wondering how do I do that?
Research shows that first impressions can be formed in just milliseconds. People assess nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. When making these impressions the brain activates the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex.
In simple terms, the amygdala helps identify threats and triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, while the prefrontal cortex manages thoughts, actions, and emotional reactions to stress.
The key elements are eye contact, a warm smile, open body language, and a sense of calm. Demonstrate genuine interest in the person you’re speaking with by asking open-ended questions and learning more about them.
It’s all about how you make others feel when you’re around them. Practice, practice, practice with your peers at school, management, your team, and other operators at the airfield. You can also reach out to local aero clubs and attend their social events; our social events; there is often someone who knows someone on the lookout for a pilot.
In conclusion, the aviation industry, while vast and global, is surprisingly interconnected-everyone knows someone.
