How to prepare for the pilot job interview.

Posted 2 February 2021

Question

Q: How to prepare for a pilot job interview. I am soon done with my integrated course – probably this late Autumn/Christmas. I want to know how to prepare for the pilot job interview. My dream is to stay in Denmark and therefore both SAS and CityJet are the primary goals.

What advice do you have in order for me to be the one CityJet or SAS wants? What do you think is most important?

Answer

A: First of all, congratulations on soon getting your wings and for your question about how to prepare for a pilot job interview. You are getting your pilot wings in a really dynamic and changing environment. In other less elegant words – shitty times. Getting any job as a pilot is going to be a really tough challenge.

What almost any airline is looking for is flying experience, which you will lack as a new commercial pilot. You may therefore need to have some experience from another flying job, before you become an attractive candidate for either SAS or CityJet. This is just trying to be realistic with the current job market for pilots.

SAS also has a requirement of you being able to speak one Scandinavian language “Berlitz level C1” http://www.berlitznordic.com/1-261-common-european-framework.html

At the moment CityJet have not made it clear if they have a similar language requirement, so keep watching their recruitment page https://careers.cityjet.com/pilot-careers

The recruitment for SAS is based on KSA – which stands for:

“Knowledge, Skills and Attitude“.

Knowledge and skills percentage wise is about 30% and Attitude about 70%. What does that mean? Well, it means that what is most important for SAS is that the attitude of the pilot fits in with the SAS values.

Taken SAS’s own words they state:

We are Scandinavian by name and nature and our operational priorities are:

Safety
Punctuality
Care

As simple as it may sound, the task for you (and this applies to any career airline) during the pilot job interview, is to demonstrate that you will fit in with the company values. Ask yourself how you would demonstrate these company values for the company.

When the time comes and if you want help with preparing for any pilot job interview or to get career advice you are welcome to get in touch +45 53527700 or contact@askapilot.net.

We have coached student pilots and experienced pilots by simulating pilot job interviews, helping with CV and applications as well as giving career guidance. Being a pilot is one thing but being able to sell yourself and how to “be the one” while staying loyal to who you are is something that you don’t learn in the school.

You may want to check this out:

https://askapilot.net/product/interview-cv-and-application-coaching-for-pilots/

Happy landings,

Ask A Pilot