Pre Interview:

Craig: How do you select applicants to be brought in for an interview?

Bill: To begin the process, qualified and selected applicants are invited to take an online Job Fit assessment. Applicants who continue to meet the desired criteria following the assessment are invited to participate in
a Skills Assessment and a panel interview at our Flight Training Center in Denver, Colorado.

C: Can you explain the point system associated with online application process and what types of things count for points?

B:  Applicants are evaluated on a variety of areas that may include but not limited to education and academic successes, flight training experiences, leadership roles, achievements and industry involvement.

C:  What can an applicant do to increase their chances of being called for an interview?

B: It is important to keep online applications updated at least once every 180 days including all certifications and renewed expiration dates. These all must be current in order to be considered current for an interview.

C: How critical is it to attend a job fair to get an interview?

B:  While it is a great opportunity for candidates and United to meet and learn more about one another, it is not a requirement to attend.

C:  What is the best way to prepare for an interview with your company?

B: Applicants should be prepared to talk about themself and their specific, real life examples and experiences. Aviation and non-aviation examples are appropriate and acceptable.

Interview:

C: Do you recommend that applicants get to your head- quarters city the day before and get a hotel room for the night?

B. That is up to the preference of the applicant. However, all interviews are conducted in Denver and depending on a candidate’s point of origin, Denver could be a challenging day trip.

C: Can you walk me through a typical day of interviews?

B:  Applicants are assigned an interview slot between 0800 and 1700 which includes a panel interview and simulator evaluation. They are expected to arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled time to complete administrative paperwork. The panel interview consists of a United pilot and HR Recruiter and lasts about 60 minutes. The simulator evaluation is with 
a United pilot and lasts about 90 minutes including briefing and de-briefing. Applicants have opportunities to candidly speak to our company pilots and are encouraged to ask questions.

C:  What kind of questions can an applicant expect to be asked?

B. There are a series of questions during the panel inter- view targeting specific behaviors from previous professional experiences. Past behavior predicts future performance so we seek to learn about real experiences instead of hypothetical situations. What did an applicant do versus what they would do?

C: Can you give me some examples of the TMAAT questions that you like to ask?

B: We continue to alternate specific questions asked each interview, but applicants can expect to be asked about personal experiences within leadership, team work, and customer service among other competencies.

C: If the TMAAT question being asked does not apply to that applicant can that question be skipped?

B:  Yes. There is also a briefing in the beginning of the panel interview that sets expectations for the panel interview process.

C:  What are some of the biggest mistakes that applicants make during the interview process?

B:  Accuracy and honesty when completing the application process as well as in the interview is critical.

Written test: 


C:  What recommendations do you have for applicants to 
prepare themselves for the Hogan Test?

B:  The Job Fit Assessment helps us evaluate characteristics that impact successful performance at our airline. We encourage applicants to complete the assessment in one session with as few distractions as possible. We also recommend answering each question with the response that best indicates how one feels the majority of the time instead of how they think United wants them to answer. There is no right or wrong answer to any particular question.

Simulator Evaluation: 


C:  Do you have a simulator ride?

B:  Yes

C:  What type of aircraft is used for the simulator evaluation?

B:  B737-300 (full motion)

C:  What types of scenarios should you expect in the 
simulator evaluation?

B: Time in the simulator will be spent hand-flying a normal takeoff and climb, steep turn and an ILS approach and go-around. A timed Aeronautical Decision Making Evaluation (CRM) will also occur, assessing decision-making skills. Applicants should also expect to perform ATC communications, appropriate callouts, managing the aircraft as the PIC and managing drag and aircraft configuration to fly the ILS profile.

C: What are you looking for in the simulator evaluation?

B: We want to assess airmanship and decision making skills that reflect a truly competent aviator as per above.

C: What are the biggest mistakes applicants make?

B: Lack of preparation and not being thoroughly prepared for their skills assessment.

C: Can you tell if an applicant paid for a simulator prep course? If so how?

B: No

Post Interview:

C: Do you tell applicants they are hired in person that day?

B: No


C: How long do applicants have to wait to know if they are hired?

B: Panel interview and simulator evaluation results are presented to the Pilot Selection Board each week. Applicants are typically notified 7-10 days following their interview.

C: How soon can an applicant expect a class date after being hired?

B: Successful applicants are placed in a hiring pool. They’re offered a class date in order of their chronological placement in that pool which is usually within six weeks of entering the pool.

General:

C: How many pilots does your airline expect to hire this year?

B: Roughly 900