A Guide to Refreshing Your Pilot CV

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Are you looking for your next First Officer or Captain job, or do you just have some spare time to work on your presentation as a job candidate? If so, it might be time to spruce up your CV.

While every pilot’s CV will be different, we have some answers to pilots’ frequently asked questions about some of the important things to consider when writing or refreshing your CV.

What do I need to include in my CV?

Your CV should represent you and your unique set of skills and experience, so no two will be alike. That being said, there are a number of features any recruitment agent or potential employer will look for on your CV. Including these features will make their job easier and, therefore, make you more likely to be considered for a First Officer or Captain position.

Personal Details

Include your date of birth, as many airlines list an age maximum for eligible applicants.
Include up-to-date contact details, including your phone number and email.
Include your primary country of residence, and whether you’re willing to commute or relocate.
If you include hobbies or extra-curriculars, keep it brief. It’s great to see the individuality of any pilot on their CV, but your flying experience and qualifications should take centre stage.

Flying Experience and Qualifications

List all airlines you’ve worked for, including the dates, positions and aircrafts flown.
List your licence type and the aviation authority it was supplied by.
List all type-ratings you hold.
Include a basic breakdown of hours over your flying career, including total time, pilot-in-command time, and time on specific aircraft types.
Include your ICAO English language level, as well as any other languages spoken. Many airlines require a minimum ICAO English level for eligible applicants.

How should my CV look?

Every pilot’s information is unique, so there’s no one way to set out your CV. The only rules are that your CV should be attractive and easy to read. This can be achieved with presentation and spelling and grammar.

Presentation

Clarity is key. Use a consistent structure that makes it easy for recruitment agents or potential employers to find the information they’re looking for.
Choose an easily readable font, and set it at a readable size.
Space on a CV makes it easy to read, so don’t bunch all your information together. If you need to add another page to ensure your CV is easily readable, do so.

Spelling and Grammar

Poor spelling and grammar are fast ways to lose points for professionality, so don’t risk it. If you’re not confident in your ability to proofread your CV, use an online spell-checker, or you can even hire a recruitment professional to check your CV.

Do I need to include a photo in my CV?

Including a photo is entirely optional, but we recommend it. Your photo, alongside your experience as a First Officer and/or Captain, boosts the human element of your CV by putting a face to the name.

A picture shows your potential employer what kind of representative you would be for their brand, so make sure any photo you include is clear and professional.

How long should my CV be?

How long is a piece of string? An early-career pilot might only require one page, whereas a pilot with a long and diverse flying history may need three or four.

Include everything you need to represent yourself as a First Officer or Captain in a clear and concise manner. However many pages that requires is how long your CV should be.

Do I even need a CV?

Yes! While your LinkedIn profile or a professional conversation may reveal a lot of your past experience, your CV allows you to present yourself in the best light and to share important details of your qualifications and experience with your recruitment agent or potential employer.