How to Get Ready for Aviation Job Interviews

First time getting interviewed?

Well, you’re not alone my friend. As many of you transition from being fresh grads to job-seekers, aiming to get employed will be at the top of your checklist.

After graduation, you will start doing things that you don’t usually do before – You’ll search for hirings, create a professional resume, and learn different ways on how to apply for aviation jobs.

According to our surveys, it takes around 6 months on average before AMT and AVT new grads get their first job offers. (Yes, expect it to be silent for a while.)

And then BOOM! The day has come without a warning, and you received a call inviting you to an interview. Most of you will panic (just like us before), and some of you will piss your pants (just like our friend Jose).

Suddenly, you’ll realize that you don’t have any damn clue about interviews – all because you and your sorry ass did not make any preparations for this unexpected day.

Getting invited to a job interview can be quite overwhelming, especially for first-timers. So learn our tips and methods, and be 100% ready (so you won’t piss your pants like our friend Jose).

Here are the contents:

1.) They Called You — Are You Already Hired?
2.) Dress to Impress: Interview Edition
3.) How to Prepare for the Big Day

#1: They Called You — Are You Already Hired?

Initial screening (or phone interview) is usually the first step of the invitation process, and is normally quick and takes place over the phone.

Unfortunately, at this stage, you are not hired yet. This first interview is crucial though, as it will decide if you go on to further interviews. So let’s avoid getting kicked out right away by following these tips:

Tip #1: Always Reschedule the First Call (if possible)

An initial screening call typically starts like this:

“Hello Mr. Jose Manalo. This is Wally Bayola of Bulaga Airlines. I received and evaluated your resume, and I am considering you as a candidate for our Aircraft Mechanic job opening. May I have a moment of your time to conduct a quick interview?”

Imagine if this call happened while you were riding on a noisy jeepney, or eating in a crowded restaurant. What would be the best way to deal with it?

Always ask if it’s possible to reschedule. It is not advisable to start a phone interview when you’re in a busy environment. And even if you are at a perfect spot, we still recommend that you try to resched. This will buy you more time to prepare, which in turn gives you a better chance to be mentally ready.

You can respond this way:

“Thank you so much Mr. Bayola. I am looking forward to answering your questions, but I’m afraid that now is not the best time. I’m sorry, but is it possible if we do this later? I’m not at a private place right now, and it would be really wonderful if we can reschedule this. Maybe around 3 pm? Does this work for you?”

If the interviewer says no, then you don’t have a choice but to suck it up and proceed with the interview. Otherwise, don’t forget take note of the following:

• Name of caller and company/agency
• Rescheduled time and date of interview
• Any additional requests/information (i.e. if who will initiate the call and if you will be transferred to another interviewer at that given time)

Note: Calls coming from a different country may have a different time zone. When rescheduling, make sure to ask and confirm which time zone you are going to follow.

Note: If you have been transferred to another interviewer, don’t forget to properly introduce yourself, mention the name of the first interviewer, and bring up that you’ve previously asked to be rescheduled.

Tip #2 - Prepare for the Rescheduled Call

Now that you have saved yourself from a surprise interview, it’s time to make the most out of it. Prepare the following things:

1. Pick a comfortable spot. You need to choose a place that is free from any background noise, must be well lit, and at a comfortable temperature.
2. Resume and supporting documents. The only things that they know about you are the items that are in your resume. Have it with you and use it as a guide. Also, they might ask you to give some info from your passport, license, and other docs.
3. Paper and pen. Write down the important stuff, especially when instructed by the caller. You can use all this info for the next stages of the hiring process.
4. Quick research of company and job requirements. Make a short list of how you can bring value to their organization. Highlight areas of your resume that you feel are relevant to this position and company.
5. The gadget and signal. Use a headset with a microphone if possible. Be sure you have good reception too.
6. Don’t multitask and control your environment. If you need to use the toilet, drink a glass of water, or feed the dogs, do it before the call. Lock the doors and remind your mom not to scream out your name when it’s time for dinner.

Note: If there’s not enough time to prepare, don’t let it become a reason to delay the phone interview. It is better to start it on time even if you’re not prepared, than to be prepared, but late.

Tip #3 - Time to Press Answer

Rescheduled the interview? Check. Prepared for the interview? Check. Receiving the call? Press answer. Follow these techniques to pass the initial screening:

1. Act like it’s face to face. It’s just a phone call but they can still hear the emotions coming from your voice. Remember, this is not their first time, so they’ll know. Always keep it polite, formal and reply with proper expressions — just like in a traditional face-to-face interview.
2. Listen and let them finish. One problem with call interviews is the absence of the usual visual clues. You can’t immediately recognize what the interviewers are doing or how they react to your answers. So it is important to listen carefully and allow some time for every exchange. Let the interviewers finish all their questions and comments first before you answer.
3. Don’t speak like a robot. Interviewers are already aware that you are prepped with a resume in front of you. But they will still expect to talk with a human being (not with Siri or Alexa). Don’t just read it. Talk like you’re in a conversation.
4. Keep it short. The screening process is designed like an initial filter only. So the caller is expecting to wrap it up as fast as possible. Be direct with your answers and avoid repetition as much as you can.
5. Do not talk about the salary. This is one of the most classic mistakes for screening interviews. If the interviewer didn’t ask you anything about your salary expectations, then don’t bring it up. This is not the right stage for that topic yet.

Note: Not all phone interviews are for initial screening. On some occasion, it could be the final interview already. But usually, it’s only applicable for aircraft mechanics who are already found overqualified (where an initial screening is deemed unnecessary by the recruiter).

#2: Dress to Impress: Interview Edition

If you survived the initial screening, then it’s time to go shopping, and suit-up like a grown-up.

Everybody knows that the default dress code for interviews is formal attire. But for aviation interviews, particularly for AMT and AVT, this is not always the case.

Here are different scenarios and dress styles that will help you choose the right one for the occasion.

Scenario #1: Conventional Interviews (Business Professional)

These interviews usually takes place in big offices, company premises, and condo suites. This is a common practice for big companies and agencies that are recruiting workers for assignments abroad.

Scenario #2: Interview + Entrance Exams (Business Casual)

Entrance exams usually include 5 or more subject types as part of their interview process. A scenario like this is expected to last a whole day. Convenience will be a big factor, so being overly formal may not be the wisest decision.

Scenario #3: Interviews + Trade Test (As Instructed)

If an interview involves any activities that require you to use tools, then you might be attending a trade test. This kind of appointment has very specific requirements for the dress code which will be chosen by the interviewer. But for your reference, we’ll present some examples of commonly used attires for this type of interview.

Time to Impress

Quick tips and reminders on how to become the perfect package.

1. The right fit is as important as the outfit. Avoid wearing something too loose or tight for your body fit.

2. Cleanliness is holiness. Hiring managers can spot a great candidate. They can also spot the coffee stain in your suit from your last Starbucks visit. Keep it all clean.

   • Make sure your hands are well-kept and your nails are trimmed.
   • If you’re a woman and you insist on having some colors popping, stick to sheer colors, taupe, beige, or clear nail polish, and ensure your nails are well-manicured.
   • For men, trimmed hair, and shaved facial hair (non-negotiable).
   • For women, long hair is fine but keep it combed, fresh, and sleek. A bun or ponytail look also works for both short and long hair.

3. Being too formal is always the safest option. If you end up wearing a suit to a business casual interview, that’s always more acceptable than wearing a t-shirt to a conservative interview.

4. Video call interviews don’t escape any of these rules. They require the same level of thought and attention to your outfit.

5. Always choose a neutral color.For conservative or business casual interviews, always pick navy blue, gray, or black.

6. Avoid wearing brand names, designer names, or labels. All the attention needs to be on you and what you have to offer, not the brands you choose to wear.

7. Cover your tattoos or get rid of your earrings and rings. Most companies have policies that limit wearing rings, piercings, and tattoos.

8. What NOT to wear to an interview?

   • Shiny bright suits
   • No open-toe (e.g. sandals, slippers)
   • Heavy fragrance (e.g. strong perfumes and colognes)
   • Visible underwear (e.g. bras, briefs, bra straps that don’t match)
   • Blouses that are too short or too low cut.
   • Shorts and jeans
   • T-shirts with graphic designs

#3: How to Prepare for the Big Day

Unlike the surprising element brought by screening phone call interviews, face-to-face interviews are scheduled. Any excuses for being underprepared are not acceptable.

You’ve gone too far to waste this opportunity. Now, a single mistake can cost you everything – so be the best version of yourself before the big day comes.

1. Research, Research, Research. Find out everything you can about the place. Study the company’s website, take notes, and jot down questions related to their business. You certainly want to sound like you’ve done your homework when questioned: “Why do you want to work here?”
2. Study the Job Description. Prepare your story. Carefully think through each element of the job description beforehand and prepare concrete examples of how you can relate your experience with these items.
3. Print out extra copies of your resumé. Most likely, your interviewer will already have a copy in front of them – but sometimes they don’t. It’s always advisable to have extras before you go.
4. Arrange your transportation and waiting area. Always take into consideration your travel time and transportation. If you’re planning to dress up in your house, then a private car or taxi will be the most convenient option. But if you’re gonna dress up after your trip, it’s better to be early and find a place where you can easily do that.
5. Pack extras and snacks. Some relief medicine too. Waiting time for interviews can take forever. It can be delayed, moved to another place, or even have a major change in its entire procedure. So it’s best to have an extra shirt, some snacks, water, and medicine for times you’re not feeling too well.
6. Practice your answers, but rest your voice. When practicing, it’s very important to vocalize your answers. It’s even better if you can record them so you can review them later. Knowing how you sound when answering questions can help you gauge where to change specific parts of your answer that are not cohesive or natural enough to be included in your speech. Also, resting your voice is important.

Ready to rock?

In years of being in the aviation industry, we had already encountered plenty of interviews in our careers. By doing the same steps shown in this guide, we succeeded in most of them.

Don’t worry, your first interview will not be your last. Maybe not all of them will be perfect, but the goal is to learn the skill of dealing with the pressure, and avoiding all the mistakes by seeing it through our experiences.

There are no secrets to success. It all boils down to how much effort you are willing to put into your practice and preparations.

Don’t be afraid of interviews. Try and try until it feels normal. By then, the next interviews will become a lot easier than the previous one. And before you even know it –

“You’re hired!”