Ask Captain Matt

Airline interviews: the top 10 do's and don'ts

Do

1. Check every detail of your application against your logbook and licences: dates, hours and licence numbers. Mistakes cost you before anyone has met you.
2. Prepare six or seven real stories from flying and from life outside it, and practise telling each in about two minutes.
3. Structure your answers: the situation, your task, what you did (say "I", not "we"), and the result, including what you learned.
4. Say so when you do not know something, then explain how you would find out or where you would check.
5. Practise aloud, and do sample aptitude tests of the same type, so the format is familiar on the day.

Do not

6. Do not bluff on a technical question. It is the quickest way to lose an assessor's confidence.
7. Do not blame a colleague, an instructor or a previous airline when you describe a mistake.
8. Do not read out your CV when asked about yourself. The panel already has it.
9. Do not let one hard test question eat your time. Few people finish everything, and that is normal.
10. Do not turn up knowing nothing about the airline you are applying to.

How should I answer "Tell me about yourself"?

Keep it to about a minute and shape it as past, present, future. Past: how you got into flying and your key licences and experience. Present: what you fly or study now and what you are good at. Future: why this airline and this role. Do not read out your CV, which the panel already has. Practise it aloud until it sounds like talking, not reciting. End with a sentence that points at the airline, so the answer lands on why you are in the room.

How many "tell me about a time when…" stories should I prepare?

Six or seven real ones from flying and from life outside it. Choose a spread: a mistake you learned from, a disagreement you resolved, a decision made with incomplete information, helping a less experienced colleague, working under pressure, and a time you led. Write each in the Situation, Task, Action, Result pattern, say "I" not "we", and practise each in about two minutes. Then match the story to the question on the day, rather than memorising answers.

What if I do not know the answer to a technical question?

Say so, then show how you would find out. "I am not certain of that figure; I would check the manual, but my understanding is…" is far better than guessing with confidence. Assessors are checking that your knowledge is sound and that you reason safely from what you know. Bluffing is the quickest way to lose their trust, because a pilot who bluffs on the ground may do so in the air.

How do I talk about a failed check or exam?

Honestly and briefly, then move quickly to what changed. Name what went wrong without blaming anyone, say what you did to fix it (extra study, a different method, feedback from an instructor), and show the result: the retake, a later pass, a better habit. Airlines expect mistakes in training; what they are looking for is whether you learn from them. Do not hide it if the application form asks.

How should I prepare for the aptitude tests?

Treat them as practised skills. Do sample tests of the same type beforehand (numerical reasoning, spatial awareness, memory, coordination, multitasking) so the format is familiar and nerves matter less. On the day, work steadily and accurately, and do not let one hard question eat your time. The tests are built so that few people finish everything, so not finishing is normal.

What happens in a simulator assessment and what do assessors look at?

Usually a short, structured exercise flown with an assessor or another candidate. They are not only watching your hand-flying: they look at how you communicate, how you share the work, how you decide and how you respond to something going wrong. Brief before you start, speak up when something changes, and recover calmly from mistakes. Being a pleasant, safe person to fly with counts for a lot.

Do I need to do the ATPL theory before I apply?

Many airlines want a licence with ATPL theory credit (frozen ATPL) for entry, but requirements differ by airline and country, so always check your target airline's current minimums. If you are early in your career, passing the theory exams well also helps with the technical interview, because the same subjects come up. Study the subjects properly rather than only memorising question banks.

How do I choose between the many ATPL study options?

Look at what the exam actually asks and match the material to the learning objectives of your authority. A good revision guide shows you where the marks are, teaches the "why" and gives questions with worked explanations. Whatever you use, test yourself under timed conditions, and note the topics you keep getting wrong. A guide that tells you which objectives are background knowledge only can save a lot of time.

I am moving to the Gulf or another region. Do my licences carry over?

Often through conversion exams or a validation process, but the rules differ between authorities and change over time, so check the authority's current published requirements. The ATPL theory exams of many regions follow the same EASA learning objectives or something close to them, so EASA-based study material carries over well, with local air law and operational rules added. This is general information, not a ruling on your situation.

What is competency-based training (CBTA) and why do airlines now talk about it?

Instead of assessing only whether you flew each manoeuvre to a standard, training and checking now look at the underlying competencies: for example communication, workload management, problem solving, leadership and teamwork. The aim is to catch and fix the causes of errors, not just the errors. For you as a pilot, it means being ready to explain and demonstrate how you think and work with others, as well as how you fly.

What should I wear and how should I arrive on the day?

Dress as you would expect a captain to look when meeting passengers: smart, plain and comfortable. A dark suit or a smart jacket and trousers, a pressed shirt, clean shoes. Check the airline's invitation for a dress code and follow it exactly. Arrive early, aim to be in the building 30 to 45 minutes before the start, and bring every document the invitation asks for, in order. Be polite to everyone you meet, from reception to other candidates: you are being observed from the moment you arrive.

How do I answer "Why do you want to fly for this airline?"

Be specific and honest. Learn what the airline actually does: its routes, fleet, bases and values, from its own website and recent news. Then connect two or three real reasons to your own experience and goals, for example the type of flying, the culture of training and safety, or where you want your career to go. Avoid generic answers about "love of flying" or salary alone. And do not criticise your current or previous employer, however tempting.

What are assessors looking for in a group exercise?

Usually not who talks the most. They watch whether you listen, include quieter members, offer ideas without taking over, accept a good idea from someone else, and keep the task and the time in view. Aim to be the person the group would be glad to have in the crew. Support the plan once it is agreed, even if it was not yours.

How should I prepare if English is not my first language?

Practise speaking, not only reading. Say your prepared stories aloud, record yourself, and listen for places where you speed up or lose clarity. Use short sentences and aviation terms you are sure of. Many airlines test English as a separate stage, so practise explaining technical ideas simply, and ask a friend to ask you follow-up questions. Clear and calm beats fast and complicated.

Is it worth reapplying if I am not selected?

Often yes, if you use the time well. Ask the airline for feedback if it offers any, and check its rules on when you may apply again. Work on the weakest stage: more practice tests, a clearer set of stories, or more hours and experience. Many successful pilots were not selected the first time. Keep your logbook and records tidy, and keep the same polite tone with the airline.