In speaking to one of the folks who sits on SWA's decision boards (DBs) I was informed nearly 250 interviews are scheduled for Jan. He also provided me some raw data on recent interviewees & their performances. Specifically Midway pilots who have interviewed over the last 3-4 months.
As a caveat to the following comments: I hope in posting them to help any future pilots, Midway or others by taking these comments & learn from them. They are merely observations from someone (my source) who has seen the raw data from the "scores" received by recent interviewees, specifically Midway pilots. (pls don't ask me how they score...I do know all three interviewers must ALL agree to a thumbs up or thumbs down)
His comments to me were that many folks were surprised that the Midway folks scored so low & that approximately only 10% of the pilots who interviewed were rated high enough by the interview team to be recommended for hiring to the DB. This was a surprise to him & to others on the DB. However, they felt the interview teams hadn't changed anything in the process but for some reason the Midway folks had not come across as well as everyone thought they might. There is only speculation as to why.
For those who interviewed my purpose is not to debate the pros or cons of SWAs interview process. I'm not trying to create a furor over the issue but do wish to pass on any lessons that maybe learned from the process to others who maybe preparing for the interviews. I also don't wish to put a scare in any future interviewees from Midway.
The key is be yourself & be POSITIVE. I'm sure those who weren't selected felt they were. If you truly wanted to work for SWA but weren't selected then I'm truly sorry. I wasn't at the interviews obviously & don't know what occurred (other than my own experiences & what I know from talking to the folks who do interview...I'm not an expert in other words).
Chase's observations & lessons learned from this:
1. The interview is CRITICAL to getting hired. LORs are great, having prior 737 time is fine but none of that will overcome a POOR interview. How you present yourself by discussing your flying experiences during the interviews is the key.
2. I know SWA did a day or so of job fairs for Midway folks when they announced Chap 11 in Aug. That may or may not have lead some folks at Midway to believe SWA was greasing the skids for them to get into SWA. I DON'T KNOW ALL THE DISCUSSIONS HELD BETWEEN SWA & MIDWAY. I do know of some Midway folks who got hired. My point is this: Regardless of where you're coming from, EVERYONE going into the interview is on equal footing. The job is yours to earn based upon the merits of your interview & remaining package. There are no freebies or easy roads to getting hired regardless of how you got to the interview. Take nothing for granted!
3. Whatever baggage you may have coming into the interview, leave it in the parking lot. Again, I'm not trying to second guess anyone (if I've offended anyone, my apologies) but simply offering a simple reminder to those who may have interviews coming up. Often times during an interview, "we"="interviewee" aren't even aware of how we come across to others. Body language, how you describe your previous management/job experiences as either positive/negative experiences, humor or lack thereof, are just some of the factors that can work for you or against you. It is hard to get feedback unless you get someone to be the "honest thirdparty". Don't short change yourself, particularly if you're not sure or haven't done an interview in awhile. I'm not trying to generate business for anyone or any organization. Each person needs to evaluate your own strengths & weaknesses. If I sound preachy, my apologies again.
4. If you've been invited for an interview, you have as good a chance of getting hired as anyone else there!! Don't worry about your credentials, if SWA didn't think you were competitive, you wouldn't be there. Focus on presenting yourself in the most positive manner possible during those 4 hrs. Yes, read NUTS, review the interview questions, but be yourself & have fun. It can be the most enjoyable experience you've had or just another interview, the choice is yours.
I have debated whether to post this msg or not. If it has offended any of those who were not selected, this wasn't my intent. I'm not the guru on hiring for SWA by any means but if I can be of help to those who are trying to get to SWA & this posting helps someone in the future, then it will be worth my postiing it. I hope it does.
For those on furlough and/or in search of a job, good luck & my prayers are with you.
Thanks to Mark/Webmaster for this board also.
Happy New Year
chase
As a caveat to the following comments: I hope in posting them to help any future pilots, Midway or others by taking these comments & learn from them. They are merely observations from someone (my source) who has seen the raw data from the "scores" received by recent interviewees, specifically Midway pilots. (pls don't ask me how they score...I do know all three interviewers must ALL agree to a thumbs up or thumbs down)
His comments to me were that many folks were surprised that the Midway folks scored so low & that approximately only 10% of the pilots who interviewed were rated high enough by the interview team to be recommended for hiring to the DB. This was a surprise to him & to others on the DB. However, they felt the interview teams hadn't changed anything in the process but for some reason the Midway folks had not come across as well as everyone thought they might. There is only speculation as to why.
For those who interviewed my purpose is not to debate the pros or cons of SWAs interview process. I'm not trying to create a furor over the issue but do wish to pass on any lessons that maybe learned from the process to others who maybe preparing for the interviews. I also don't wish to put a scare in any future interviewees from Midway.
The key is be yourself & be POSITIVE. I'm sure those who weren't selected felt they were. If you truly wanted to work for SWA but weren't selected then I'm truly sorry. I wasn't at the interviews obviously & don't know what occurred (other than my own experiences & what I know from talking to the folks who do interview...I'm not an expert in other words).
Chase's observations & lessons learned from this:
1. The interview is CRITICAL to getting hired. LORs are great, having prior 737 time is fine but none of that will overcome a POOR interview. How you present yourself by discussing your flying experiences during the interviews is the key.
2. I know SWA did a day or so of job fairs for Midway folks when they announced Chap 11 in Aug. That may or may not have lead some folks at Midway to believe SWA was greasing the skids for them to get into SWA. I DON'T KNOW ALL THE DISCUSSIONS HELD BETWEEN SWA & MIDWAY. I do know of some Midway folks who got hired. My point is this: Regardless of where you're coming from, EVERYONE going into the interview is on equal footing. The job is yours to earn based upon the merits of your interview & remaining package. There are no freebies or easy roads to getting hired regardless of how you got to the interview. Take nothing for granted!
3. Whatever baggage you may have coming into the interview, leave it in the parking lot. Again, I'm not trying to second guess anyone (if I've offended anyone, my apologies) but simply offering a simple reminder to those who may have interviews coming up. Often times during an interview, "we"="interviewee" aren't even aware of how we come across to others. Body language, how you describe your previous management/job experiences as either positive/negative experiences, humor or lack thereof, are just some of the factors that can work for you or against you. It is hard to get feedback unless you get someone to be the "honest thirdparty". Don't short change yourself, particularly if you're not sure or haven't done an interview in awhile. I'm not trying to generate business for anyone or any organization. Each person needs to evaluate your own strengths & weaknesses. If I sound preachy, my apologies again.
4. If you've been invited for an interview, you have as good a chance of getting hired as anyone else there!! Don't worry about your credentials, if SWA didn't think you were competitive, you wouldn't be there. Focus on presenting yourself in the most positive manner possible during those 4 hrs. Yes, read NUTS, review the interview questions, but be yourself & have fun. It can be the most enjoyable experience you've had or just another interview, the choice is yours.
I have debated whether to post this msg or not. If it has offended any of those who were not selected, this wasn't my intent. I'm not the guru on hiring for SWA by any means but if I can be of help to those who are trying to get to SWA & this posting helps someone in the future, then it will be worth my postiing it. I hope it does.
For those on furlough and/or in search of a job, good luck & my prayers are with you.
Thanks to Mark/Webmaster for this board also.
Happy New Year
chase