pilot interview

How To Answer: Do You Have Any Questions For Us?

So your pilot interview is going well, your final question is almost always going to be “Do you have any questions for us?”. This is your opportunity to show how well you’ve researched your chosen airline and a chance to pose one, maximum two, well thought-out questions.

Please, for the love of god, don’t ask a question like “What are the next steps?” or, “How much is the year 1 salary?” or any other question that is not relevant or can be easily googled. 

This blog post will guide you through developing a tailored, insightful question that goes beyond the generic and showcases your dedication and insight into the aviation industry and your chosen airline.

Research and Preparation

Start with thorough research on the airline. Look into their press releases within the last year, financial reports, and industry news. Has the airline recently announced a surge in profits? Have they ordered new aircraft hulls? Have they invested heavily into internal infrastructure? Conversely, have they just announced layoffs? Keep your finger on the pulse and read the news! I personally read The Financial Times (no affiliation) if you’re after a recommendation.

Understand the airline’s challenges, opportunities, and strategic direction. Are they investing in new aircraft technologies? Have they announced initiatives to improve sustainability or passenger experience? Are they targeting more European, Asian, North American destinations? This research will form the foundation of your question, ensuring it’s both relevant and insightful.

Tailored Questions for the Airline Pilot Role

Below are some examples of questions you might pose to your interviewers. Please tailor them to suit your needs and don’t copy them verbatim. Thousands of people see this website daily so it’s likely the interviewers will know if you repeat the question word for word. 

1. Inquire About Technological Innovations and Investments

Given the fast-paced technological advancements in aviation, showing an interest in how the airline keeps abreast of these changes demonstrates your commitment to safety, efficiency, and innovation. For example:

  • “I’ve seen the airline’s investment in next-generation aircraft to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. Can you share how these advancements are being integrated into pilot training and operations? Do you do single engine taxi operations?”
2. Discuss Safety and Training Initiatives

Safety is paramount in aviation. Asking about this topic is never a bad option and shows your priority aligns with the airline’s. You might ask:

  • “With the evolving global safety standards and increase of evidence based training, how does the airline’s pilot recurrent training program adapt to ensure pilots are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills?”
3. Explore the Airline’s Vision and Strategic Goals

Understanding where the airline aims to be in the future can provide insights into your potential career path. You could ask:

  • “Considering the airline’s current expansion plans into XX market, how do you see the role of pilots evolving in aligning with these strategic goals?”
4. Ask About the Airline’s Culture and Values

A question about the airline’s culture shows you’re looking for a good fit and not just any job. All airlines fly planes, the culture is what makes them different. For instance:

  • “Can you describe how the airline’s core values are reflected in the day-to-day operations and decision-making within the cockpit?”
5. Inquire About Challenges and Opportunities

This shows you’re thinking ahead, and as pilots, we’re always thinking ahead. A thoughtful example could be::

  • “Given the increasing emphasis on sustainable aviation, what are the biggest challenges the airline faces in this area, and how are pilots being involved in addressing these challenges? Especially business travel customers seeing more pressure from shareholders to reduce carbon footprints.”

Avoid Generic Questions

While it’s essential to prepare questions, ensure they are not too generic, easily found on the airline’s website, or irrelevant to the role. Questions about salary, benefits, or the next steps in the interview process should be avoided at this stage. Such questions can imply that your interest is more in the position’s perks than the role itself. 

Remember, your chosen airline is a business, not a charity. Not only are you figuring out what the airline can offer you, but also what you can offer in return! After all, the airline is looking to you as a future captain and representative of the company.

Crafting Your Question

When formulating your question, keep it open-ended to invite discussion rather than a simple yes or no answer. The same methodology will be used on the flight deck, avoiding leading and closed questions. This approach encourages the interviewers to share more information and engage in a meaningful conversation. Frame your question to show that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the airline’s operations, culture, and the specific role of a pilot within the organization.

Practice and Delivery

Practice your questions just as you would your answers to other interview questions. Consider how you will phrase the question and anticipate possible follow-up discussions. Your delivery should be confident and articulate, demonstrating your genuine interest in the role and the airline. 

As with the self introduction, keep the questions relatively brief. The more information you give in your questions, the more information your interviewers will have to remember! You don’t want to stress your interviewers out, you want to invite open and interesting discussion. 

Closing Thoughts

The closing interview question, “Do you have any questions for us?” is more than a formality; it’s a golden opportunity to distinguish yourself as a thoughtful, engaged, and knowledgeable future captain. For aspiring airline pilots, it’s a chance to demonstrate your understanding of the aviation industry, your interest in the airline’s future, and your alignment with its values and challenges. 

By preparing a tailored, insightful question, you show your commitment to not only securing the role but also contributing to the airline’s success. Remember, in aviation, it’s not just about the answers you provide but also the questions you ask. The same will be true throughout your careers on the flight deck. 

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How To Answer: Why Do You Want To Be A Pilot?

If you’re applying for a pilot job, there’s an almost 100% chance that you’ll be asked the question, “Why do you want to be a pilot?” in your interview. Usually, it will be the first question you are asked. This is a crucial question that requires a thoughtful and well-crafted answer. In this post, we will explore the key considerations when answering this question, and provide some tips for crafting a strong response.

Why Do You Want to Be a Pilot?

Before we dive into crafting an answer, it’s important to first understand why this question is asked in the first place. This question is designed to assess your motivations and suitability for the role. By asking why you want to be a pilot, the interviewer or panel of interviewers are trying to determine whether you have a genuine passion for flying, whether you understand the challenges and rewards of the job, and whether you have the qualities that are necessary to succeed in this demanding role. Especially considering the requirement for constant study all the way throughout your career.

Tips for Answering the Question

When answering this question, use a basic formula: Reason A, Reason B, Reason C, and then a summary. This is because the human mind cannot remember more than four pieces of information, and droning on for hours on this question will bore the interviewer and make you forgettable. Also, be very clear when you have moved from Reason A to Reason B. E.g. I’ve always been interested in flying, there are three reasons. FIRST………. SECOND……….THIRD ………. SO IN SUMMARY etc.

Whatever your reasons are, here are some key points to consider when formulating your answers. Be sure to make your answer individual, I have many years of experience interviewing people and it is VERY obvious when a candidate has memorized an answer.

  1. Show your passion for flying.

The most successful pilots are those who have a deep and abiding passion for flying. Demonstrate that you share this passion. Talk about how you have always been fascinated by aviation, and how you have pursued this interest by learning about planes, taking flying lessons, or attending air shows. Personally, I went gliding at every opportunity I could.

  1. Explain the rewards of the job.

Being a pilot is challenging and rewarding, and it’s important to convey this in your answer. Talk about how you love the feeling of being up in the air, the excitement of taking off and landing, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering the technical aspects of flying. Also highlight how every day is different, even if you fly the same routes. The weather, the crew, the aircraft issues, and air traffic will all be different from day to day.

  1. Highlight your skills and qualities.

Being a pilot requires a range of skills and qualities, including strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, as well as a high level of technical proficiency. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight these qualities and demonstrate how they make you well-suited to the role.

  1. Be specific.

Finally, when answering this question, it’s important to be specific and avoid vague or generic answers. Use concrete examples from your own experience to illustrate your passion for flying, your understanding of the challenges and rewards of the job, and your skills and qualities.

Sample Answer

Here’s an example of a strong answer to the question “Why do you want to be a pilot?”:

“I’ve always been fascinated by aviation, there are three reasons why: First, I love flying. I have a strong passion for flying, from a young age I sought out flying opportunities, I’ve had a trial flight in a C172 in Coventry and have gone gliding at least once a month. I also visited Air Traffic Control towers and spoke to Pilots from all over the world to get as much insight as I could. The view is astonishing, breathtaking, and something I want to experience every day.

Second, every day is different. I love variety. I have worked office jobs, and I have worked shift style work in my younger years and without a doubt, I prefer the variety of shift work. Every day as a pilot is different, the crew, the weather, the route, technical problems, and fuel decisions. No two days are the same and I find that prospect incredibly exciting and motivating.

Third, I love learning. As a pilot, you never stop learning. As the most tested profession in the world, my skills and knowledge will be put to the test every 6 months for the rest of my career. An incredible motivator for constant learning, I take pride and responsibility in being good at what I do, and being a pilot is a tremendously rewarding and fulfilling career.

In summary, the views, the variety, and the constant learning are why I want to be a pilot and I’m excited about the opportunity to be part of this dynamic and exciting industry.

Conclusion

Crafting a strong answer to the question “Why do you want to be a pilot?” is an important step in preparing for your job interview. By demonstrating your passion for flying, explaining the rewards of the job, highlighting your skills and qualities, and being specific in your answer, you can make a strong case for why you are well-suited to this challenging and rewarding career.

For more examples on how to answer pilot interview questions, click here.

Good luck!

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