Learn about the important requirements, skills, and keywords that should be included in a pilot resume.
Trying to navigate the resume-writing process for a pilot resume can feel overwhelming. The airline pilot industry is a rapidly growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the airline and commercial pilot job market is expected to achieve a 6% growth rate by 2031.
You will be hired by an HR executive, senior manager, or chief pilot for the airline you’re interviewing for. It’s important to create a strong professional resume that can help you land an interview and potentially get the job!
Do you need some help with your resume? Take a look at our roundup of the best resume writing services. This is a quick and easy way to have your pilot resume created for you by the pros. When you’re ready to distribute your resume, start applying for new jobs on ZipRecruiter.
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Pilot Resume Example
MARY PILOT
+123-456-7890
123 Anywhere St. Any City, ST 12345
Experienced and safety-oriented commercial airline pilot with 10+ years of experience in the commercial airline industry. Seeking a commercial airline pilot position where I can leverage my skills and extensive experience to ensure safe, efficient flights for passengers.
EDUCATION
2019-2022 2019-2022 2019-2022
YOUR DEGREE YOUR DEGREE YOUR DEGREE
University/Location University/Location University/Location
EXPERIENCE
AIRLINE PILOT- FIRST OFFICER/CLOVER AIRLINES
2019-Present
- Worked as First Officer (Pilot in Command)
- Conducted regular checks on equipment and navigation controls
- Communicated with Second Officer, flight crew, and air traffic control throughout the flight, following airline regulations
- Ensured safety procedures were maintained throughout the flight
AIRLINE PILOT-SECOND OFFICER/FLORAL GREEN AIRLINES
2015-2019
- Worked as Second Officer, second in command to the Captain
- Flew multiple domestic U.S. flights
- Communicated with all airline crew, staff, and air traffic control throughout the flight
- Followed safety protocols and ensured they were maintained throughout the flight
SKILLS
- Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to be flexible, adapt to new situations, and work in high-pressure environments
- Proficiency in using avionics equipment and flight management systems
What Is Unique About A Pilot Resume?
A pilot’s resume should showcase your skills and expertise in this industry. It should include the key skills, qualifications, and relevant experience that make you a desirable candidate for the hiring company. You should tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for, which can help make a strong impression on the reader.
The goal is to highlight your top skills. You want to show that you can excel in a Pilot role and tell the company why you’re the best candidate for the job.
What Should Be Included On A Pilot Resume?
There are key parts of a pilot resume that are essential:
Education
Highlight your educational background on your resume. This includes listing any universities or colleges you’ve attended and received a degree or certification, including ongoing coursework.
Expertise
The airline and commercial pilot industry is a field that requires soft skills like leadership and communication, as well as hard skills like proficiency with avionics and flight management equipment.
Demonstrate expertise in these skill sets and show that you’re knowledgeable in these areas.
Highlight your ability to lead and manage people, adapt to new situations, and work in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
Communication Skills
Communication is an essential part of working as a pilot. You will be working as a part of a team. Communication, feedback, and active listening all play a critical role here.
A strong pilot will be an excellent communicator and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
Skills
Pilots work closely with others, flying commercial aircraft on domestic and international flights. You’ll be part of a team that is responsible for the safe transport of aircraft passengers, ensuring all safety protocols and airline regulations are being observed.
List your skills and demonstrate how you’ve used them with your current and previous employer.
A pilot resume should highlight the candidate's ability to be a leader, work well with others like the cabin crew, flight crew and air traffic control personnel, along with the ability to work in fast-paced and high-pressure environments, while observing safety protocols and adhering to airline regulations.
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What Should Be Left Off As a Pilot Resume?
When crafting a pilot resume, it is important to ensure that it is tailored to the specific job and employer you are applying to. While there are no concrete rules about what to leave off a pilot resume, here are a few things that you may want to consider leaving out:
Personal Information
Detailed personal information beyond your name, address, phone number, and email address does not need to be included on your professional resume, in any industry. This includes information like your age, marital status, social security number, or religion.
Irrelevant Work Experience
While you may have had many jobs in the past, not all of them may be relevant to the position you are applying for. Consider leaving off jobs that don't relate to your experience or the position you are applying for.
Hobbies and Interests
While it can be tempting to add a section about your hobbies and interests, it's generally not necessary or relevant to the job.
References
Most employers will request references separately, so there is no need to include them on your resume.
Ultimately, your resume should showcase your relevant experience, education, and skills clearly and concisely. It should highlight why you are the best candidate for the job.
Related: Best Paying Jobs In Transportation
Important Job Skills For Pilots
When preparing your pilot resume, it’s important to consider adding relevant job skills.
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Decision-making skills
- Leadership
- Safety-oriented
- Proficiency with modern avionics equipment and flight management systems
- Ability to work in high-pressure and fast-paced environments
The Bottom Line
Writing a professional resume is important but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are some key takeaways to remember:
- Include all relevant sections on your resume like education, experience, and skill, and skip the unnecessary stuff (i.e. references, etc.)
- Focus on highlighting top skills relevant to the job you’re applying for
- Make sure your educational background and experience have plenty of information and detail
We hope you found this information helpful but, if it’s too overwhelming, you can skip it altogether and go straight to the best resume writing services to work with the pros who can write your resume for you! When you’re ready to find a pilot job, start your job hunt on ZipRecruiter!
