Screening tips

Moment of truth! Application filled, documents in hand, time to start the selection process.

For some, a long journey to the location where the screening will take place, for others a quick trip to the next door neighbor. Nervousness and anxiety make up the rest of the scene.

So, to better handle the situation, here goes a few tips on how to optimize your chances of success:

– Be yourself, but adapted to the culture and to local demands. Respect the space that will accommodate you means understanding that the first step is to accept and behave appropriately (this is flexibility, adaptability, respect and professionalism);

– Try to reduce your anxiety and self-imposed stress. We often put several of our aspirations and change as priorities, and it is probable that your family is already thinking about the sun in Dubai, the quiet life in Europe or Asia, helping put the weight of the moment on your shoulders, affecting your performance. Try to clear your mind as much as possible;

– Seek information: get as much information about the local culture and the airline you’re going (willing) to work for. A “good morning” spoken in the local language can work as a great business card;

– Keep in mind that a selection process is a marathon, not a sprint (a mistake at the beginning can be compensated later). Your energy should be focused on having a performance within the required average. You will be judged for the overall result;

– Be professional and friendly. You are being hired to work and not to win a sympathy or bad mood contest, and acting professionally always adds quality. Organize your documents, correctly fill out forms, dress yourself appropriately, and when in the simulator maintains the environment clean, tidy, with pen and paper always ready;

– Give objective and direct answers to questions. Here the prize goes to the right answer, not for the most words spoken, or subject variety. If you don’t know something, say you do not know the answer, but you know where to find it (if you are professional you must know how and where to find the answer);

– Your partner in the simulator is an important piece to your success. Sometimes we cannot choose who we will work with, but we can work with him to achieve as much as he can offer. A good manager gets the most out of the least. Explaining, even the weakest has something to offer and it is up to you, the manager (captain), provide conditions for him to achieve his maximum capability. A good briefing, an appropriate distribution of tasks and / or an adjustment in execution speed to put your fellow pilot in the loop can be the salvation of an adverse situation. This kind of assertive behavior will be observed and appreciated by the examiners;

– If the end result is not satisfactory, instead of the usual “I performed an excellent flight, I do not know why I failed,” “they didn’t like me” or “I was just taking a shot at it”, take this as an important lesson and seek to improve. Maturity is not made only of good experiences.

– Finally, be prepared. Work on your weaknesses, for example, if your selection requires a visual flight segment, practice that as much as possible, always within your current airline safety and standard operating procedures, and seek to train with someone who will make an honest analysis of your performance, providing the most professional feedback possible. Unfortunately, sometimes a critique is not seen as an improvement opportunity, but as a setback.

So tell me, are you prepared?