A wide range of employment opportunities exist in the airline industry. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, more than 250,000 people are employed in the passenger airline sector. The airlines hire personnel to work in the airports as baggage handlers, airplane maintenance workers, passenger check-in agents, and to serve clerical functions. There are also opportunities to staff the airplane as part of the flight crew, as pilots, or as flight attendants. The corporate headquarters of the airlines usually encompass a large number of personnel--from the executive level to the administrative support staff.
Earn a college degree or credits. You should have at least 2 years of college, even for entry-level positions. Many airlines prefer to hire college graduates so you should obtain a degree before you apply.
Middle management positions will require four years of college. Graduate degrees are preferred for upper managerial positions, preferably as a business or travel management major.
Learn a foreign language. This is particularly important if you plan to apply for a position as part of the airport desk personnel, as a steward, or as a pilot. If you can speak another language (or more than one), you will increase the chances that you will stand out when the human resources department narrows the field of applicants.
Learn additional skills, such as knowledge of computers and accounting. You should know how to use a computer if you want to work in the office at the airline. Accurate and fast typing skills are mandatory for positions in the reservations department and for check-in desk clerks. If you want to work as a flight attendant, you should have customer service experience, an outgoing personality, and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification to help you secure those positions.
Earn the necessary flight credentials. Pilot applicants must have previous experience in flying. You will also need a current air license issued from the U.S. Armed Forces or licensed flight schools.
Establish some contacts in the industry. You can use the Internet to look for job postings on various social networking sites. For example, you can find travel groups that can keep you informed of current opportunities on LinkedIn.com.
Check the classified ads for opportunities. Purchase the Sunday edition of major newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, or The Los Angeles Times. Be sure to check the business and employment sections.
Contact the human resources departments at the airlines to inquire about available positions. Airlines usually post jobs for months in advance of filling a position. If you apply on site at the airport, be sure to speak to a person. This approach will help the employer to associate your name with your application.
Apply for any open employment search that is directly recruited by the airlines. You can submit an application on the websites of the various airlines, in the careers or employment sections.
Prepare yourself for several interviews. If there is interest in your application, you will be contacted for an interview. You might face a group interview with other competing applicants. A written examination will be given, along with a medical examination including a drug test before you are hired.
Be prepared for training. If you are hired, you will undergo extensive training for up to a 6-week period. The training period may take place in another city. You will also have to take a final exam. It is mandatory that you score 90% or higher.
Some positions entail a probationary period of 6 months. Days and hours are distributed by seniority of employment time.
