Pilot Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Pilot Resume Examples and Templates (Downloadable)

• Entry level
• Midlevel
• Senior level

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PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

As a pilot, you’ve invested hundreds of hours in training and education to handle the demands of flight. Your resume must show hiring managers you can navigate all situations and conditions safely as you pilot their aircraft. In this guide, we’ll provide strategies to help you write a pilot resume that secures a spot in the cockpit and prepares your next career move for takeoff.

Key takeaways:

• Highlight flying time: Your total flying time and flight specializations should be among the first things on your resume.
• Include quantifiable accomplishments: Incorporate numbers when describing past contributions such as safety records, improvements, and number of successful flights.
• Use industry-specific keywords: Employers often use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and incorporating keywords from the pilot job description will help your resume reach a hiring manager.

How To Write a Pilot Resume Example

Using a premade resume template is the best way to establish a professional, well-structured document. Your pilot resume should include these sections:

• Contact information
• Profile
• Key skills
• Professional experience
• Education and certifications

1. Share your contact information

At the top of your resume, list your current contact information, including your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your information is up-to-date and free of typos to clear the runway for further questions and interviews.

2. Craft a solid profile with a summary of your pilot qualifications

A pilot resume profile is a summary of your career that sets the trajectory for the rest of your document. It should include your years in the field, how many hours you’ve flown, and any aircraft or flight specializations that could set you apart from other pilots. Consider what the airline or organization is looking for, and describe what makes you the pilot they need to hire.

For example, if you have experience flying the exact plane model the airline uses, definitely mention it here. Or, if you’re a new pilot looking to land a flight instructor role, let the employer know you’re already certified and ready to fly.

3. Showcase your pilot experience

This section is like your work history’s pilot logbook. List your most recent positions, along with six to eight bullet points covering key responsibilities and achievements. Describe moments in previous roles relevant to the pilot job you’re applying for, using numbers when you can to quantify your success.

Hiring managers need to know you’re qualified for the job and have the necessary skills and flight time to excel. Get specific with your flight details, listing your hours, safety records, and numbers of flights with previous employers. You can also describe moments beyond time in the cockpit by discussing maintenance, teamwork, and leadership.

Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience

Metrics offer clear, measurable indicators of your capabilities as a pilot and help to set you apart from other well-qualified candidates. To frame your past responsibilities as accomplishments, use numbers to quantify your experience. Include things like total flight hours, number of flights, improvements in safety and efficiency, or reductions in cost.

Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application

Avoid any turbulence with ATS by including words and phrases from the job description within your pilot resume. This isn’t about copying word-for-word but matching up your own aviation skills and qualifications with those required for the job.

For example, suppose potential employers are looking for pilots who can manage crews during long-haul flights, and you see the phrase “experienced in international routes.” In that case, you would use this exact phrasing somewhere within your resume. You could include it in the profile section or when describing past experiences with global travel.

What if you don’t have experience?

Even without direct, paid experience, you’ve spent time developing technical skills during flight school. Emphasizing relevant coursework, school projects, certifications, flight ratings, and affiliations will demonstrate your fundamental knowledge. Volunteer work or internships within airports and aviation organizations will also prove your practical experience in the industry.

If you don’t have your 1,500 hours of flying time yet to land a job at a regional or major airline, consider earning time as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). Many new pilots start as instructors and build up their flight logs this way. Other opportunities have lower flight time requirements and could prove better options to earn your minimum flight time.

4. Outline your education and aviation-related certifications

Your education is the foundation of your aviation abilities. Open the education section by listing the flight school you attended and when you completed your training. If you earned your wings through a degree program, start with your highest degree first. Include the name of the institution, dates of attendance, and any honors you may have received.

List all of your most relevant certifications and ratings closer to the top of your resume. Hiring managers are most interested in what you’re qualified to do and which airplanes you’re legally allowed to operate. If you’re a CFI, airline pilot, commercial pilot, or all three, be sure to highlight this information prominently on your resume.

5. Make a list of your pilot-related skills and proficiencies

Whether you’re a commercial or airline pilot, you rely on a vast array of skills to navigate whatever may come your way during a flight. A key skills list demonstrates to potential employers that you have the necessary abilities to handle day-to-day operations. Include both technical know-how and interpersonal qualities that show you’re ready to take command and lead a crew.

Here are some examples of skills you could include on your pilot resume:

Resume writer’s tip: Use strong action verbs

To effectively communicate your past aviation duties and accomplishments, use action verbs in your professional experience section. Instead of using redundant first-person language like “I was responsible for,” start each bullet point with an action verb. These words will help hiring managers understand exactly what you did at work and how you actively participated in the role. Use action verbs like those listed below as you write your pilot resume:

How To Pick the Best Pilot Resume Template

A good resume template for pilots is professional, clean, and simple. Hiring managers must navigate your document and scan it quickly, so choose a design that has a clear structure. Sections should be laid out in a way that makes your resume easy to read and captures your most critical flight details. Avoid graphic-heavy templates and loud colors that could distract the reader.

Pilot Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates

Frequently Asked Questions: Pilot Resume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with a pilot job description?

The job outlook for pilots is bright but competitive, with a projected increase in employment of 4% over the next decade. To stand out from the competition, your pilot resume should be tailor-made for the job you’re interested in. Every resume you submit must be aligned with the aviation needs of each organization.

Use the job posting as a guide to help you determine the skills, qualifications, and experience an airline or commercial company is looking for in a pilot. To show you meet the role’s requirements, match your abilities with those in the job ad and include them in your resume. This will increase your chances of making it through ATS and on to hiring managers.

What is the best pilot resume format?

A combination format is a good choice for pilots, offering the best of functional and chronological resumes. All of your most essential flight details and certifications are listed at the top of the document for hiring managers to easily capture. Next comes a comprehensive overview of your latest and most relevant work history, rounded out by a key skills list and an education section. This resume format is versatile enough to meet the unique needs of a pilot resume.

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Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.