Pilot Resume Example
Working as a pilot can provide a rewarding career, involving ensuring aircraft safety and communicating with ATC. To succeed in your applications for pilot roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll explain how to write a winning resume for pilot applications that best showcases your skills and experience.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a pilot resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you take off with your pilot resume.
Core sections to include in a pilot resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your pilot resume, while there are also a few optional sections. If you're a candidate without much experience, you may wish to present your resume in a way that draws attention to your most valuable skills. These might not be in traditional work settings, so sections like education, projects, hobbies and skills can be more prominent.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header with Contact Details
A pilot resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Be aware of the amount of space your resume header takes up. You don't want your contact details to take space away from the main content of your resume, so keep this section as brief as possible.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Nova Edwards
nova.edwards@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/nova–edwards123
Resume Objective
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for pilot roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for pilot roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your pilot resume summary.
Good example:
Bachelor of Science in Aviation with extensive experience as an Aviation Professional. Proficient in flight operations, safety protocols, and aircraft maintenance. Demonstrated expertise in navigation, communication, and emergency procedures. Adept at managing and coordinating flights, ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, and delivering exceptional passenger service. Proven ability to work under pressure and make critical decisions with a strong commitment to safety and operational efficiency
Bad example:
Aviation professional with a background in aviation studies and some experience in flight-related tasks. Familiar with basic flight operations and safety measures. Have worked with navigation and communication tools, and know some emergency procedures. Involved in organizing flights and following aviation rules, while trying to provide good service to passengers. Able to handle pressure and make decisions, with a focus on keeping things safe and running smoothly
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your pilot resume summary
Hard and Soft Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for pilot jobs. These could be emergency procedures proficiency, stress management techniques or various other relevant skills. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for pilot jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a pilot.
How to list hard skills on your pilot resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a pilot. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in pilot roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a pilot resume, see below.
- Advanced aircraft operation
- IFR flight skills
- Aviation weather interpretation
Listing soft skills on your pilot resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to pilot roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a pilot resume.
- Critical thinking skills
- Effective communication abilities
- Situational awareness enhancement
Education
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for pilot roles.
To work as a pilot, employers tend to require candidates to have a specialist degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Aviation. If you have this degree, focus on it in your education section, while also mentioning any educational achievements that show your emergency procedures proficiency or ATC communication expertise.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. You could also add one or two bullet points to draw attention to your grades if they were particularly good, as well as any specialist subjects you studied. This will help the hiring manager understand your knowledge and special skills better.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Aviation, 2017 - 2020
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Certifications and Training
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a pilot. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a pilot. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Take a look at some example certifications for a pilot resume below:
- ATP Certification, 2022
- Commercial Pilot License, 2022
- Instrument Rating, 2022
Work Experience
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your pilot skills. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to pilot roles.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to pilot jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Good example:
Aviation Professional, January 2022 - Present
Skyward Aviation Services, Madison
- Successfully led a team of 50+ aviation professionals to achieve a 99.9% on-time departure rate over 3 years
- Implemented a cost-saving initiative that reduced fuel consumption by 15%, saving the company $2 million annually
- Spearheaded a safety program that resulted in a 40% reduction in workplace incidents and received industry safety award
Bad example:
Aviation Professional, January 2022 - Present
Skyward Aviation Services, Madison
- Managed a team to improve operations and achieve high performance standards
- Developed initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce costs
- Led safety improvements, resulting in better workplace conditions and recognition
In the graphic above, you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. Ineffective work experience sections tend to focus too much on everyday responsibilities over skills and achievements. If you use vague descriptions of activities and fail to back up your achievements, with evidence, you're likely to fail to make an impact on the reader.
Expert Tip:
Tailor your resume to the job by including keywords from the job description and focusing on skills that align directly with the role’s requirements. (1) Use a professional layout with consistent headings and formatting to ensure your resume stands out visually. (2)
Additional Information
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a pilot resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for pilot jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real-world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteer Experience
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skillsreal-world for pilot roles beyond your main employment history. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard pilot resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References will be available upon request.
Best action words for your pilot resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Navigate
- Operate
- Control
- Manage
- Execute
- Monitor
- Communicate
- Coordinate
- Analyze
- Troubleshoot
For help creating an eye-catching resume design to catch the attention of hiring managers, see Jobseeker's professional resume layouts. You can also use our clear, effective cover letter templates to complete your application.
Sample pilot resume
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example pilot resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
•
nova.edwards@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/nova–edwards123
Experienced Commercial Airline Pilot with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation, demonstrating a strong track record of safely operating various aircrafts, managing flight operations, and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations. Skilled in navigation, crew coordination, and customer service, with a commitment to safety and efficiency in all flight operations.
Commercial Airline Pilot
2020
-2022
Skyline Airways (Tulsa)
- Achieved 10,000+ flight hours with zero safety incidents, demonstrating exceptional adherence to safety protocols and operational excellence
- Successfully managed in-flight emergencies, ensuring passenger safety and maintaining composure under pressure during critical situations
- Awarded "Pilot of the Year" for outstanding performance, superior customer service, and exceptional teamwork
Advanced aircraft operation
IFR flight skills
Aviation weather interpretation
Critical thinking skills
Effective communication abilities
Situational awareness enhancement
ATP Certification
Commercial Pilot License
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a pilot resume
Tips to write the best resume
- Showcase your key pilot qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
- Choose a resume format that's clear, professional and makes your resume as readable as possible. Pay particular attention to the font, line spacing, heading and margins to make your document as easy-to-read as possible for employers.
- Include your educational achievements, including any impressive grades. Focus on the most relevant qualifications for the role.
- Order your work experience in a reverse-chronological timeline, starting with your most recent position.
- Keep your pilot resume as brief as possible. Aim for one page for an entry-level role, and two pages for more senior jobs.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't use passive language - steer away from phrases like 'I was asked to' and use action words instead.
- Don't add hobbies and outside interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role.
- Don't crowd your pilot resume with too many unnecessary details. Focus on only the most critical skills and achievements.
- Don't use old contact information and always review your resume header to make sure it contains the latest information.
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When writing your pilot resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
A pilot resume FAQs
As well as writing a professional pilot resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the pilot role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
If you're an experienced pilot, your resume should focus on your extensive work experience and the achievements in your career to date. Your pilot resume is likely to have a longer work experience section than resumes for less experienced candidates, any you may wish to go back further than the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history, depending on your experience levels. Consider adding any optional sections that show employers the impact you've made in your career to date. These include awards, successful projects or a dedicated achievements section.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for pilot jobs. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Aspiring Commercial Airline Pilot
- Experienced Commercial Airline Pilot
- Veteran Pilot with Extensive Experience
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key takeaways for your pilot resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
