Time to brush up on your skills.. just not the kind you think! Getting hired at United Airlines is no longer just about your flying aptitudes. This mirrors closely what I tell every new pilot looking for a job: your resume is only a fraction of the real story I'm looking for. It’s about… whether people actually like you. CEO Scott Kirby revealed a surprising part of their hiring process: Some of the airline’s most well-liked pilots are asked to spend time with candidates. They walk them around. Grab lunch. Talk like normal people. And then they answer one simple question: 👉 Would I want to spend 4 days flying with this person? If the answer is no… the candidate can be rejected. Even if they’re fully qualified. It’s basically a real-life “vibe check.” And it matters more than you’d think. Because in aviation, crews don’t just work together for a few hours. They spend days together. Under pressure. In tight spaces. Relying on each other. Kirby’s logic is simple: You can train skills. You can’t train personality. And with up to 75,000 applications for just a few thousand roles, United can afford to be picky. So now, it’s not just about getting the job. It’s about being someone people actually want to fly with.

Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good evening to you all, (Jean Please delete if not appropriate) I'm posting my CV after working on a few iterations of it after working through the CV Builder. I find as a low hour Pilot the job you're applying for is really after how much PIC time you have and on what, plus your total aeronautical given insurance seems to run hiring more than your personality? (At least for the first job, correct me if I'm wrong). Although it may just be being in the right place at the right time is key to that first job, it would be good ahead of finishing my type rating to have some feedback on my CV please see an extract attached. Thank you all kindly, Ian Lethbridge

Who else here feels slight PTSD watching this? I think we've all been there. What's your favorite or worst interview questions or experiences you've had?

Hey everyone! Finally got to complete the custom GPT for you to try - over here!! The Aviation Career Why Coach is a story-driven executive coaching GPT built specifically for pilots. In one engaging session, it helps you define your professional Why, uncover STAR-based success stories, and create a structured SWOT analysis and SMART development plan tailored to your career stage and aviation sector. Whether you’re a student pilot planning your first professional steps, a transitioning aviator exploring new opportunities, or a senior captain preparing for leadership, this coach adapts to you. It combines industry-accurate language, guided reflection, and measurable outcomes — helping you articulate your experience in ways that resonate with recruiters and aviation leaders. By the end of your session, you’ll receive: - A Professional Development Portfolio with STAR stories, SWOT map, and SMART goals - A choice between a Professional Report (ready for the Custom Resume GPT) or a Coaching Narrative for continued reflection - Personalized Career Path Insights and Coach’s Notes highlighting your leadership style and growth trajectory This GPT is part of a three-step aviation career system: 1️⃣ Aviation Career Why Coach — define your Why and build your professional foundation 2️⃣ Custom Resume GPT — craft your tailored resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile 3️⃣ Interview Prep GPT (coming soon!) — refine your communication and presence for final selection

@Adam Fuller @Nicholas Layzell @Josh Hall @Brent Handy @Shane Murphy - how would you counsel young pilots in creating the most interest to their resume when first starting with low hours? Any more ideas or suggestions you'd have? In short - what is most important to a successful aviation career today?