How to Ace an Airline Interview by Telling a Good Story

A professional pilot offers tips for when you're given an opportunity to talk about your life and career.

Friday, May 03, 2024 at 12:41 PM ET

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Airlines are starting to be more choosy about who they hire, making job-hunting and interviewing skills important. [File photo/ Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

As the pilot shortage eases and hiring becomes more selective, strong interview skills, particularly the ability to tell compelling stories, are crucial for success in panel interviews.
Pilots should prepare a diverse repertoire of 2-3 minute illustrative anecdotes from both aviation and non-aviation experiences, focusing on a clear narrative that demonstrates humility, growth, and positive actions.
Mastering storytelling for interviews requires deliberate practice through mock sessions, peer feedback, or self-recording to refine delivery, appear authentic and relaxed, and ensure conciseness while avoiding negativity about past employers.

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With the easing of the pilot shortage, many employers are starting to be more choosy about who they hire, and job-hunting and interviewing skills are once again becoming more important. No longer can you expect to just show up and fog the proverbial mirror. You need to put time and effort into preparing yourself for the interview.

I’ve written about this process in broad terms before, but there is one aspect I would like to focus on: honing your ability to tell a good story and refining your repertoire of stories for interviews.