by guest author, Evelina Brown
The selection procedure in aviation is extremely difficult and rather often there are thousands of candidates per vacancy. In order to stand out, you need to use all the available options: strong academic background, hard and soft skills, related work experience, and a killer resume. Not depending on whether you are using a resume builder or decide to write a self-presentation from scratch, there are several tips to consider.
Below, we are going to share six viable tips including personalization of each resume, video presentation, and writing the objective section.
#1. Tailor your resume to a particular position
Many potential employees feel the temptation of using resume templates to simplify the process. On one hand, templates are good for understanding how you should write a resume. But it doesn’t mean that you need to follow the format and content blindly. The first and the most important rule is to create a unique resume for every vacancy. The only exception is when you are applying for completely identical jobs.
Trust us, recruiters notice copied resumes from the very beginning and such documents end up in a bin. You should always use keywords in your resume that are specific to your particular industry and position. Read the vacancy description attentively, write down the keywords, and use them. Applicant tracking software will give your self-presentation a green light.
Here are a few other tips:
- Highlight the experiences and previous roles which match the vacancy’s job description
- Personal skills should match the required ones
- Add relevant aviation certificates and licenses
- The job objective should suit the position
#2. Write an objective section
Before deciding what education, related experience, and skills to put on your resume, you should write a job objective or summary. As a rule, it is two or three sentences long and aims to highlight your most important skills and achievements in aviation. Discuss your work experience and talents to hook the recruiters and make them want to know more.
The professional summary is located below your name and contact information. If you lack experience, we still recommend writing the goal objective. Just emphasize your personal traits and aspirations, and show that you are ready to learn and evolve.
#3. List certifications
If you explore various resume tips, you’ll surely find this advice on the list. It is relevant for aviation as well. Especially considering that there are thousands of licenses and certifications in the industry. Listing them will show the recruiters that you can perform the duties legally.
When mentioning the courses finished, indicate the certification body’s name and location, and the date when you obtained it.
#4. Pay attention to design
Look at several resume templates and try to guess what makes them so good. The answer is on the surface: they are modern, professional, and stylish. We strongly recommend working on your resume’s design even if you think that it doesn’t matter for aviation.
Here are a few tips:
- Choose the best font for your resume to make it readable. For example, Arial or Calibri
- Use one-inch margins to make the text easy on the eye
- Categorize data into bulleted lists
- Use neutral colors
- Highlight sections with Italics or Bold
#5 Size matters
There is a general rule: your resume should fit into one page or two pages if you have extensive work experience. This rule concerns aviation jobs and other industries. But what should you do if you see that the resume takes more space?
You can make a video resume! The simplest way is to use a webcam recorder and create a modern self-presentation that will surely help you stand out from the rest. Or use the screen recording software if you want to visually show your experience and the number of flights. Create a route map and show your long-distance flights by showing everything with cursor and color tags on your computer and telling your story along the way.
#6. Always proofread and edit
If you want to impress the hiring managers and land a dream job, it’s important to eliminate vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and structural mistakes. One single typo may cost you a career. We recommend proofreading and editing several times, asking your friends or family to read the resume, and using online checkers.
Closing thoughts
As a child, many of us dreamed of being pilots and stewardesses. But there are actually hundreds of noble and well-paying jobs in aviation. If you want to make good money and join the fast-developing industry, follow our tips. Remember, it is not enough to find the job of your dreams! You should also know how to present yourself in the best light.
Need more job search advice?
Join Our Discussion
For more insights and a community of like-minded professionals join our LinkedIn group Resume Help and Advice for Professionals and Executives
