Getting in or a chance with no References...

[lumpia]

I'm currently trying to improve my resume as best to my abilities.
Unfortunately I have no references at WJ and am trying to get in like thousands of others.

Here's what I have to offer on paper:

> 5500 TT
> 2500 PIC JET = ERJ 170/190
Transport Canada and FAA ATPL
Canuck from Birth

BSc UND Aerospace (Cum Laude)
Graduate Student (slowly attaining MSc)

Off Paper:
Family Oriented
Will root for the Flames if need be and enjoy the occasional Kokanee

I'm just curious what else this 'Matrix' looks for. I have been fortunate to attain all of my experience through hard work (tree planting, third world flying etc.) and without having any connections in the industry or having to pay for a type rating or a right seat (and of course good timing and lots of prayer).

Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.

L

[North Shore]

WHAT NO time on the Space Shuttle? Forget it, then!

Patience. Dave P. frequents these forums with good advice... I'm sure that he'll be along soon.

[culver10]

Go and hang out at Jetz and buy a few drinks and meet some WJ folks. You could also hang out at the Campus at lunch and meet some folks also.

[FriendlyBear]

That is some impressive experience! Don't worry, I believe that good things come to those who remain faithful, are patient and don't neglect the power of prayer.
Prayer gave me the strength to persevere, be strong and to never lose focus of my dreams.... I wish you all the best and hope that your prayers will be answered.
I wish you all the best!
Fly safe
FB

[LisaS]

[North of You]

1. Religion easily has the best bullshit story of all time. Think about it. Religion has convinced people that there’s an invisible man…living in the sky. Who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn’t want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer, and burn, and scream, until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you. He loves you and he needs money.


George Carlin

[Bede]

Wow. Epic 7500.

[ToolShed]

Wow. Epic 7500.

Wow and on the forth post too!

I guess it's a secret then

[Johnny#5]

Wow. Epic 7500.

....yep, best hijack ever.

[Cabot]

Trying to get this back on topic.....

I am in a similar position as the originator of this thread. I have over 6700 hours of flight time, 2 jet type ratings (including 737), 1200+ MPIC, have flown three different airliners, Bachelors degree, bilingual, and have had application in for several years. Have never been called for an interview, but ever the optimist.

What is challenging for me and many other WJ applicants including the guy who started this is that one of the biggest recurring themes about how to get a WJ interview is you must have an internal reference. I read recently on this forum board that there are 3000+ applicants at WestJet, and that over 800 have internal references. Is there any hope for applicants such as myself who do not? (Sidenote - I know were successful applicants from the earlier days of WJ who did not, or who met people at the Open Houses, but I am not certain this is still a possibility).

All I wish for is that my credentials allow me to be considered by WJ. I am certain there are 2000+ names in the WJ pilot applicant database who would say the same.

Dave P is a breath of fresh air in this industry....you rarely see people with insights into the hiring process speak so openly. I am looking forward to what he'll have to say for outside applicants with no references.

Cabot

[Johnny#5]

[DaveP]

Hi Guys,

I'm sorry for the delay in responding.

As for getting in without a reference, it happens from time to time. We simply pick out a few names out of the resume database system.
Having said that, we do prefer though having some kind of insight to that individual through internal references.
We rely on this method because several studies have shown that if you have a good employee their potential candidate will likely have the same qualities as that individual.
Right now Canada is flush with qualified guys and gals.

In fact, I believe the globe and mail recently had a large section validating this hiring practice not too long ago. It has proven to be fairly reliable for us.(you will always get a few that slip through)

Cabot and others, we appreciate your experience and your desire to come work here.
The fact is for us, it gets pretty tough to pick 4 or 8 resumes a month out of the bunch.

I do suspect we will be ramping up interviews in January through to the spring. I also expect we will interview twice monthly until mid summer. I hope you get picked!
The January course is full and the next set of courses start in July and run through to late fall.

Recently I sat down with the hiring team looking at several ways to improve our hiring transparency.
Some things coming down the pipe will be a more user friendly application tool allowing you to amend and edit your key qualifications along with a video of the "day in the life" of a Westjet pilot, job expectations and qualifications section. This will all be presented prior to you hitting the "APPLY HERE" tab.

This should be rolled out by Q2 2012.

Internally our guys and gals will be able to visit our flight ops team site where they can view all members of the hiring team, recent memos and up to date hiring information.

Thanks again for your desire to work here!!

Dave.

[FriendlyBear]

Dear Dave,
Just wanted to drop on in and let you know that with almost 18 years in the industry, I have never seen an individual or company be so transparent, honest and informative with potential candidates. Thank you for the open communication. Even if I never receive an invitation from WJ, I am happy to see that an organization exists in our industry that is so upfront and inviting. I believe that I am within the mark when I state that with the majority of the applicants it is the positive attitude of WJ owners that is one of the main reasons why many of us have a desire to be employed at WJ.
Good on you; you are a breath of fresh air (Cabot, 2011) in this industry. The information and encouragement that you bestow upon the masses is a welcomed relief in a World that has become very busy, chaotic and impersonal. From a prospective applicant, I can only say that I am happy for those who are able to practice their trade in a company that promotes the best in each and every employee (owners) and promotes a positive perspective and attitude. I am jealous, but in a good way! Enjoy it WJ’ers… you guys and gals have it good!
FB
And for those who PM'ed me: No, I don't own any WJ stock!

[Cabot]

Dave -

Thanks for your response. Its just nice to get an answer from someone in your position.

Cabot

[lumpia]

thanks for the insight dave...

Lumpia