Low time hiring slowdown

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Alexwa299
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by Alexwa299 »

kingbear wrote: Tue Nov 12, 2024 3:17 am
Pepperwood wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:59 am I've been struggling to hear back from any company after 3 months of applications across Canada (and I'm not picky) and am glad to see I may not be the only one. I've also got low hours with only 220 with Multi-IFR and float rating and am wondering if its maybe because I'm below the 250hrs?
I’ve applied to about 40 companies with 205tt 105 pic and 20 multi. I have group 1 IFR and IATRA written. I understand that getting your first gig is the most difficult but right now it seems no one’s hiring. I’m thinking of taking out another loan to get my FIR and instruct as there seems to be more job availability there.
Same here, I applied to every company in Canada, even outside with 360h multi-IFR and Saron/Samra, Faa cpl and I have nothing, some company answered back to tell me i have to go to 500h and it will be good, but most of them ask 250h and still don't answer
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digits_
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by digits_ »

Alexwa299 wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:50 pm
kingbear wrote: Tue Nov 12, 2024 3:17 am
Pepperwood wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:59 am I've been struggling to hear back from any company after 3 months of applications across Canada (and I'm not picky) and am glad to see I may not be the only one. I've also got low hours with only 220 with Multi-IFR and float rating and am wondering if its maybe because I'm below the 250hrs?
I’ve applied to about 40 companies with 205tt 105 pic and 20 multi. I have group 1 IFR and IATRA written. I understand that getting your first gig is the most difficult but right now it seems no one’s hiring. I’m thinking of taking out another loan to get my FIR and instruct as there seems to be more job availability there.
Same here, I applied to every company in Canada, even outside with 360h multi-IFR and Saron/Samra, Faa cpl and I have nothing, some company answered back to tell me i have to go to 500h and it will be good, but most of them ask 250h and still don't answer
How many companies have you visited in person? It's old school, but for small companies it makes a huge difference. Even bigger ones might appreciate meeting you.
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StrayPilot
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by StrayPilot »

digits_ wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:56 pm
Alexwa299 wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:50 pm
kingbear wrote: Tue Nov 12, 2024 3:17 am

I’ve applied to about 40 companies with 205tt 105 pic and 20 multi. I have group 1 IFR and IATRA written. I understand that getting your first gig is the most difficult but right now it seems no one’s hiring. I’m thinking of taking out another loan to get my FIR and instruct as there seems to be more job availability there.
Same here, I applied to every company in Canada, even outside with 360h multi-IFR and Saron/Samra, Faa cpl and I have nothing, some company answered back to tell me i have to go to 500h and it will be good, but most of them ask 250h and still don't answer
How many companies have you visited in person? It's old school, but for small companies it makes a huge difference. Even bigger ones might appreciate meeting you.
Genuine question, how does one go about visiting operators in person? Is it considered acceptable walking in at any time during working hours and request a meeting with the chief pilot? And how about in the bigger companies? In fact I'd genuinely be interested in going around visiting some places rather than sending resumes online.
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digits_
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by digits_ »

StrayPilot wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 8:12 pm
digits_ wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:56 pm
Alexwa299 wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:50 pm

Same here, I applied to every company in Canada, even outside with 360h multi-IFR and Saron/Samra, Faa cpl and I have nothing, some company answered back to tell me i have to go to 500h and it will be good, but most of them ask 250h and still don't answer
How many companies have you visited in person? It's old school, but for small companies it makes a huge difference. Even bigger ones might appreciate meeting you.
Genuine question, how does one go about visiting operators in person? Is it considered acceptable walking in at any time during working hours and request a meeting with the chief pilot? And how about in the bigger companies? In fact I'd genuinely be interested in going around visiting some places rather than sending resumes online.
Pretty much. Be polite, ask for chief pilot or anyone else in charge of hiring. Be prepared to come back a few times because they might not be available right away. Don't be pushy, if they ask to leave a resume or call, do so. Talk to anyone you encounter at the company that's willing to speak to you. Leave a good impression.
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As an AvCanada discussion grows longer:
-the probability of 'entitlement' being mentioned, approaches 1
-one will be accused of using bad airmanship
I WAS Pez
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by I WAS Pez »

digits_ wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 9:16 pm
StrayPilot wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 8:12 pm
digits_ wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:56 pm

How many companies have you visited in person? It's old school, but for small companies it makes a huge difference. Even bigger ones might appreciate meeting you.
Genuine question, how does one go about visiting operators in person? Is it considered acceptable walking in at any time during working hours and request a meeting with the chief pilot? And how about in the bigger companies? In fact I'd genuinely be interested in going around visiting some places rather than sending resumes online.
Pretty much. Be polite, ask for chief pilot or anyone else in charge of hiring. Be prepared to come back a few times because they might not be available right away. Don't be pushy, if they ask to leave a resume or call, do so. Talk to anyone you encounter at the company that's willing to speak to you. Leave a good impression.
This. Generally most CPs and Ops managers are pretty busy and it can be a pain to meet the walkins - but most are happy to do it, time allowing. You won't be the first pilot that walked in looking for work and asking to speak to the CP.... In fact, you'll probably be clocked as a low time pilot looking for work the second you walk in... and that's OK. Make a good impression, and you stand a far better chance of a job there than adding to the 50 other CVs that were emailed that week.
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goingnowherefast
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by goingnowherefast »

When I was a 703 chief pilot, I always appreciated walk-ins. It shows dedication. I obviously couldn't hire all of them, but it certainly put their resume higher in the pile.

On the other hand, apply some common sense. If the chief pilot is super busy, maybe they're dealing with some rides coming up, maybe a TC inspection, or SOP revision. Maybe they actually get to go flying and can't delay the departure. Don't waste their time and pester them incessantly. A quick introduction, shake their hand, display confidence and see where it goes. More than one resume went straight in the shredder from someone who kept nagging and wouldn't let me go.
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digits_
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by digits_ »

To add: don't get hung up on a title either. If the receptionist tells you that you should probably talk to *random_name_here* instead of the chief pilot, then take the hint and talk to that guy. It's not always the chief piot who makes the real hiring decisions.

I'll always remember that day that a new pilot called the 703 operator where I was flying and manning the phones and doing a bunch of other stuff. He'd called twice already asking for the Chief Pilot. I told him the Chief Pilot (who was also the owner) was too busy, and likely wouldn't ever be reached on this phone number, but if he were to email his resume, I'd make sure it would be kept on file. I could tell he didn't believe me. He never did email, or call back. One week later we needed a new pilot urgently and the chief pilot asked me if I knew anyone that was looking. If that guy had just followed my instructions and emailed in his resume, he would have been the first one to get a call to come in for an interview.

Usually fellow pilots are not out to get you, or to give you the run around. We're happy to help, but you've got to give us *something* to help you with!
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As an AvCanada discussion grows longer:
-the probability of 'entitlement' being mentioned, approaches 1
-one will be accused of using bad airmanship
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rookiepilot
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by rookiepilot »

digits_ wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:34 pm To add: don't get hung up on a title either. If the receptionist tells you that you should probably talk to *random_name_here* instead of the chief pilot, then take the hint and talk to that guy. It's not always the chief piot who makes the real hiring decisions.
Long ago I was in sales, I cold called a lot. The below served me well, and still does to this day.

To add further, something that shouldn’t ever need to be said, but clearly does, so I’ll say it as blunt as I can so the point is made:

Whatever interaction you have in looking for a job, (or anything else) treat the receptionists with respect and even kindness.

Its the right thing to do, it will make an impression, they always get dumped on , and it displays character.

You would not believe how many people think its ok to treat receptionists, restaurant servers, medical staff rudely.

If I owned a company hiring, I would never hire anyone rude to my entry level staff, cause that is how they would treat the customers, sooner or later.

Having a CPL doesn’t mean squat — you are NOT better than the receptionist at the company you visit. To them, you’re nothing until proven otherwise. Don’t forget that.
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Alexwa299
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by Alexwa299 »

digits_ wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:56 pm
Alexwa299 wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:50 pm
kingbear wrote: Tue Nov 12, 2024 3:17 am

I’ve applied to about 40 companies with 205tt 105 pic and 20 multi. I have group 1 IFR and IATRA written. I understand that getting your first gig is the most difficult but right now it seems no one’s hiring. I’m thinking of taking out another loan to get my FIR and instruct as there seems to be more job availability there.
Same here, I applied to every company in Canada, even outside with 360h multi-IFR and Saron/Samra, Faa cpl and I have nothing, some company answered back to tell me i have to go to 500h and it will be good, but most of them ask 250h and still don't answer
How many companies have you visited in person? It's old school, but for small companies it makes a huge difference. Even bigger ones might appreciate meeting you.
I went to some of them, the most close by, because the rest i apply to are extremely far from my place, so the only option is to take a flight or sometimes two. So i did call them, some are impossible to join and there is very little information about it. But I'm planning to take a flight to go to Alberta and visit some with a friend in the same situation as me. Right now, I've sent my resume to about 50 companies so i might get an answer
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digits_
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by digits_ »

Alexwa299 wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 8:56 am and visit some with a friend in the same situation as me
Why would you bring a competitor along? Unless you alternate of who is visiting which company, I think it would be a bad idea that you both show up at the same time. The chances that the companies you visit need one pilot right when you're around are already fairly small. The chances that they need 2 are even smaller.
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As an AvCanada discussion grows longer:
-the probability of 'entitlement' being mentioned, approaches 1
-one will be accused of using bad airmanship
Alexwa299
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Re: Low time hiring slowdown

Post by Alexwa299 »

digits_ wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 9:18 am
Alexwa299 wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 8:56 am and visit some with a friend in the same situation as me
Why would you bring a competitor along? Unless you alternate of who is visiting which company, I think it would be a bad idea that you both show up at the same time. The chances that the companies you visit need one pilot right when you're around are already fairly small. The chances that they need 2 are even smaller.
Sharing cost of the trip, and I'm the one with the most flight hours and experience out of my friends. When companies are not that far away, i go alone but if i have to take a flight and then rent a car or something, i find it better to split the cost. We both know we won't be in the same company and that's not a problem
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