📞 THE KEYS TO NAILING THE PHONE INTERVIEW The Reality: Many airlines conduct phone screenings before inviting you to in-person interviews. These 15-30 minute calls eliminate 30-40% of applicants. WHO DOES PHONE SCREENINGS: Always: - Regional airlines - Cargo carriers (FedEx, UPS) - Corporate flight departments - Some international carriers Sometimes: - Major airlines (for non-traditional candidates) - When application raises questions - High-volume hiring periods Never: - Strong flow candidates - Internal recommendations with clean records - When you're specifically recruited WHAT THEY'RE EVALUATING: ✅ Communication Skills (40%) - Clear, concise responses - Professional phone manner - Appropriate tone and pace - No filler words  ✅ Interest and Preparation (30%) - Knowledge of their company - Genuine enthusiasm - Thoughtful questions - Career clarity ✅ Red Flags (20%) - Unprofessional background noise  - Poor attitude or negativity - Badmouthing current or former employers - Inconsistencies with application ✅ Basic Qualifications (10%) - Verify hours claimed  - Confirm availability - Check citizenship/work authorization - Medical status THE PHONE SCREENING PROCESS: When They'll Call: - Sometimes with little or no advance notice - Business hours (9 AM - 5 PM their timezone) - Could be any day within 2 weeks of application - Sometimes from restricted/unknown number Who's Calling: - HR recruiter (most common) - Pilot recruiter - Chief pilot office - Staffing coordinator Duration: - 15-30 minutes typically - Longer if issues need clarification - Shorter if obvious rejection THE PREPARATION PROTOCOL: From the moment you submit your application: 📱 Phone Readiness: - Answer ALL unknown numbers professionally - Voicemail must be professional - Phone charged and working - Good signal strength at home/work - Check your email daily for additional information, don’t forget your spam folder