Lots of people look to make changes in the new year – be healthier, try new hobbies, meet new people and possibly even land a new job. If you’re out of practice when it comes to searching for jobs, or struggle to fit job hunting into your busy schedule, this article is here to help you get started and provide you the tools to track down your dream job.
The aviation industry is very competitive, demanding candidates who are highly technical with a wide skill set. As a result, it is important to showcase your skills as best as you can. Outlining clear abilities and qualifications to recruiters is essential.
Here are our top ten tips to find the best roles and get yourself an interview.
Identify your key skills
While it’s fine to search for job titles, you may find that your own skills are easily transferable to other jobs too – so don’t limit yourself to the job you’re doing now.
Search for jobs based on certain skills, and you could find something you’re interested in. A job title only tells part of the story, so by limiting your search to this, you may overlook certain vacancies that require a skill set similar to your own, resulting in a missed opportunity.
Spend some time identifying your main skills and look for jobs based on these qualities. You may find that you uncover roles that you may have previously overlooked based on the job title, potentially leading you on a different and more interesting career path.
Job titles are constantly changing, so it is wise not to put too much focus on traditional titles – expand your search and keep an open mind.
Utilise social media
LinkedIn is often seen as the modern day CV and is usually the first port of call for recruiters when assessing candidates ahead of offering them an interview.
Therefore, it is important to create a strong and up-to-date profile. Pilots, for example, should ensure their profile is fully updated with their latest qualifications and training, while cabin crew members might look to to add skills like languages and hospitality related training.
The endorsed skills section is a good way to showcase your talents, but stick to desirable skills. Recruiters probably don’t care that an engineer can use Microsoft Word. Focus on adding skills that are key to your profession, and make sure the most impressive skills are at the top.
And remember, it’s not about how much you have on your profile, it’s about what counts. Delete anything that isn’t relevant or helpful towards applications you intend to submit. This is a great piece of advice you can use when creating your tailored CV too.
Make sure your profile reads well and isn’t littered with jargon – you want it to be short and punchy, just like a cover letter, to provide a clear summary of your skills and experience. It can also be helpful to ask colleagues and managers to provide a testimonial in the recommendations section. It will add credibility to any relevant statements you’ve made in your application.
As for other social media profiles like Facebook and Twitter, it would be wise to adjust your privacy settings on Twitter & Facebook. Recruiters are sure to look at your social media history, so you don’t want any embarrassing posts from a few years ago to affect your chances of getting your dream job.
Restricting the visibility of your profile is much easier than trawling through years of posts to check if there is anything that might be taken the wrong way by a potential employer. The airline industry in particular expects its staff to adhere to high standards of professionalism, so be sure that recruiters can’t find anything that could damage your reputation.
Online networking
Staying on the subject of LinkedIn and social media, it is worth reiterating the power of networking on these platforms while you’re looking for jobs.
Although it may seem cheeky, messaging a current employee of a company you want to work for is a good way to gain an insight into how the company works and what they are looking for in an individual.
If you’re curious, reach out to someone who is in a similar department and ask them about the company culture etc.
Joining discussion groups can also be a clever way to make yourself known to decision makers at big airlines and aviation firms. Follow companies you are interested in working for and comment on posts, but be careful not to overdo it – there is such a thing as being too keen. Also, ensure you also keep your posts strictly professional.
Be selective
Avoid applying for every vacancy you see that may be of some interest. Some jobs loosely related to your skill set may not be a good long term option, which would ultimately be a waste of the recruiter’s time and more importantly, your own. Narrow your search to focus on the best jobs related to your skills and career goals – a skilled aviation professional can afford to be fussy.
Research every job and company you apply for. Use websites such as Glassdoor.com to read anonymous employee reviews about airlines to get an understanding of what the working conditions, company culture and salaries are like, and what potential career progression there could be.
As we mentioned previously, check your social connections to see if someone you know works there – you can drop them a message to get their perspective on things.
Shortlisting the best available vacancies will allow you to put more time and effort into the application, as opposed to applying for a dozen jobs with generic applications that won’t get you anywhere.
Ensure each application is different
Tailor your CV so it is specific to each job. Even though you are only applying for jobs within the aviation industry, you do not want to submit a generic application which applies to general parts of the job. Each role will have different requirements, so you should make sure your CV and cover letter applicable and relevant- which will really help you stand out.
It is easy to make errors when sending out a template cover letter to numerous jobs, such as getting the job title wrong, or even leaving in the wrong company name. You can pretty much guarantee that you will not be offered an interview if you are making these sort of careless errors, as it shows a lack of enthusiasm and attention to detail.
Creating a unique CV and cover letter can give applicants a real edge as an experienced hiring manager can easily spot a standard application that has been used for numerous vacancies.
Create an interesting cover letter
It is important to not repeat any information you’ve already included in your CV when creating a cover letter. Instead, you should provide additional background information and try to sell yourself to the company. The cover letter should focus on answering questions such as; “Why do you want to work for this airline?”, or “Why are you right for this role?” and “What career path you have taken so far?”.
It is also helpful to give the employer something to respond to – something along the lines of “I am looking forward to hearing from you to discuss this opportunity”. This shows that you are keen and available to chat.
Even if the job post does not specifically mention a cover letter, it makes sense to send one anyway, as it will only strengthen your application.
Have someone proofread your application
It sounds very simple, but the best way to avoid any costly mistakes in your application is to have a friend or family member read it before you send it to the employer.
Don’t be overly reliant on a word processor’s spell check – check it yourself and if possible have a second pair of eyes take a look. Ideally this person would be someone who works in the aviation industry and can offer suggestions and helpful advice to your niche; this can be especially useful if the individual has worked at the airline you are applying for.
Don’t be afraid to spread your wings
As you probably guessed, many professionals in the aviation industry are willing to relocate for a new job. In fact, we ran a survey with over 1,000 airline workers in December 2019, and 100% said they would be more than willing to relocate.
It would be great if you could find your dream job in your hometown, but considering the competitive nature of the aviation industry and the fact that it revolves around travel, you could be limiting your choices if you prefer to be based at home. We would definitely advise that you broaden your options in this area if you want to increase your chances of finding a suitable role.
Pilots, cabin crew and some engineers/technicians will be required to work and spend time in countries across the world. If you’re working in one of these areas, you will be required to be flexible when it comes to having a ‘base’ as you’ll spend a lot of time away from it.
There are also fantastic opportunities in the sector overseas, particularly in places like the Middle East, Australia and North America. Read more about the pros and cons of working abroad here.
Stay in touch with your references
Building relationships is important when trying to progress your career, so don’t forget your previous bosses and colleagues throughout your career. If you plan on using someone as a reference, keep in touch with them as much as possible. It could be as simple as the occasional social media comment, or a quick message to ask how things are going.
Managers at firms with a high staff turnover may have to give a lot of references, so these will sometimes be short and sweet, leaving no real impression. A person is more likely to give a glowing reference to a person they are still in contact with.
Continue to learn
In an ever-changing sector, it is vital to stay on top of new qualifications and technology changes, particularly in technical jobs. For example, a technician or engineer should have the latest health and safety certificates and be aware of current practices, while pilots will be required to have the latest licences for their aircraft.
An individual will be a more attractive proposition to a recruiter if they show a willingness to learn and improve their skills. Candidates who have out of date qualifications or haven’t completed any new training in the last few years may appear less enthusiastic about their profession, so it is important to stay aware of any industry changes.
