The guest lecture given by Avjobs was comprised of many useful tips and was reinforcement for many of the subjects we have previously talked about. One of my favorite quotes of the lecture was “No never means no, it merely means no for now”. Don’t give up. Avjobs discussed many aspects but what rang true and stuck out in my mind was “selling me.” We have talked about this many times, but what I really liked was the point he brought up, we all sell every day. The last time we wanted to go somewhere for lunch, we were trying to sell the idea to our friends. We wanted the end result of eating where we wanted to go. This means that we are all capable of building an amazing resume and tailoring it to the job we are applying for.
We began to talk about how to secure a job and Avjobs brought up the statistic that 80 percent of jobs go unadvertised. His example was Jeppesen and the 150 jobs that they had open that were not yet up on the Avjobs.com. This is a great lead in point for getting your foot in the door. This is a great example of how having your foot in the door, even if it was not your Jeppesen dream job, could lead to another job. Just working in the company shows that you want to be there, and you will have a significant heads up about the 150 jobs that become available almost as soon as it happens. One of the great examples of how you get a job in the company and then move to other jobs within the company is listed above. It is networking that will help you get your foot in the door to start with. After you have made your connection, Avjobs stressed to only apply for jobs that you are qualified for. Then make sure that you are flexible when it comes to location, pay, and other factors if it is your first industry job. I definitely agree with this point. There is no point in wasting anyone’s time, neither mine nor the company’s, with incomplete paperwork or by applying for a job that you are not qualified for in the first place. The company stressed the importance of creating value for you; make yourself someone the company needs. After you get the interview, it is important to follow up. If you are turned down, don’t give up. Always follow up on the chance that they may have an opportunity available. If you are turned down again, a technique they brought up was asking for a chance. Avjobs said “Why not ask for a chance by saying, Give me an opportunity for six months and if you don’t like my work fire me.”. I feel that this could be a great opportunity for you, your career, and also the employer. If they don’t like what you are doing, there are no strings attached. If they do like you, everyone wins by helping the company reach a greater goal.
The final section addressed was what employers find important. I feel that some of the most valuable information presented during the discussion was that an employer wants someone that they can have a good relationship with. They want someone that wants to work for the company and has common ground with the potential employer and that personality is everything!
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4 Aviation Job Search Performance Enhancement Tips
If you’re like most Americans looking for a job right now, it might be time to take a step back and evaluate your job-search tactics. There are some common mistakes that can make you your own worst enemy when trying to get your foot in the door of a new employer. To give your employment search some performance enhancement, make sure to follow these tips.
- Early Bird Gets the Worm
The sooner you get your job application in, the better luck you will have at getting your resume seen. If you are slow to apply or reply to a job listing, you likely will lose your shot at be considered, so make sure to stay up-to-date on new listings as they arise.
- Get a Jump-Start
Even better than being one of the first to apply for an open position is seeking one out before it is posted. Research the companies you are interested in working for and reach out to see if any openings are on the horizon. Interact with the company on Avjobs Aviation Directory, join the same local trade organizations the company attends and find out where their staff members might be speaking publicly. Consider volunteering at events the company may be involved with to start to get to know the staff and familiarize yourself with the company culture.
- Update Your Employment History
Applying for jobs can often be a numbers game, so once you have narrowed down the best fits for you, make sure you update your resume and cover letter before you apply. Though you will want to be one of the first to apply, don’t be in such a rush that you automatically eliminate yourself by not following instructions for a specific position or applying where you don't meet that particular’s company's requirements. Not showing you are a fit for that specific job will surely end your chances of being considered.
- Follow Up
Though it may feel like you are sending your information into a large black abyss at times, there are people on the other end. It’s perfectly acceptable — even preferred — to send a follow-up email if you don't get a response within a couple of days. This is when you confirm that the interviewer received your information, giving you a chance to reiterate your interest in the job. But, if a listing specifically states "no phone calls or emails," abide by that request or you may end your chances. Once you have landed the interview, absolutely follow up with your interviewers through a thank-you note, again expressing your interest in the company and the job.
If you feel like your job search is at a standstill, be sure to reevaluate how you are going about it. After all, we all could use a little performance enhancement from time to time.
Avjobs Open Position Listings
Avjobs connects job seekers across the U.S. with unique career opportunities in the aviation industries. While we publish a wide range of job listings, we have selected a hot job to help get you started. Happy hunting!
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Are you playing the employers game the way they expect you to?
Always follow up & interviews with thank-you letters, phone calls, and, when appropriate, resumes that have been revised based on information and suggestions provided by managers. Even if managers have no positions available, once they have had personal interaction with you, they may think of you the next time they have, or hear of, an appropriate opening.
It is critical to stay in touch with these managers, at least on a bi-monthly basis.