Airports can be interesting and rewarding places to work. The airline industry is a broad employer offering many different types of jobs and careers. The focus of your search for an airport job will be finding one that interests you, gaining the necessary skills, submitting your resume, and performing well during your interview. Learning more about these aspects of your job search can help you successfully land your dream job at the airport.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for Work
Step 1. Find a job that you would enjoy
The first step when looking for an airport job will be to examine what jobs are available in the airline industry. Since the field is very wide, you will have many positions to choose from. Take your time and look for jobs or careers that you feel are attractive to you and your professional interests.
- Most airport jobs will focus on customer service.
- Airports will offer positions for security workers.
- In many airports there are shops and restaurants and there could be jobs there.
- You may want to work directly with the planes or assisting with landing or take-off procedures.
- Flight attendants work directly with passengers during the flight.
- For a complete list of airport careers, check out online websites like https://www.avjobs.com/ or
Step 2. Research the skills or training the job requires
Once you find a career or airport job that interests you, you will need to find out what training, qualifications, education, or skills might be needed. These requirements will vary dramatically between positions, so a little research can help you gain an understanding of what is necessary for you to perform your chosen position.
- Some airport jobs, such as pilots or air traffic controllers, will require years of rigorous and highly specialized training.
- Custodians or maintenance workers are responsible for the airport and are generally great entry-level positions.
- Some security positions in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) only require you to pass a background check, have a high school diploma, and be a U. S. citizen of at least 18 years of age.
Step 3. Obtain all the necessary requirements of the position
Once you have determined the position you would like to pursue in the aviation industry, you will have to prepare yourself to obtain the necessary skills or education. If you already have these skills, you may want to consider how up-to-date they are and seek refresher courses if necessary.
- Some airport positions will offer on-the-job training, such as those at the TSA.
- Other positions at airports will require you to receive training or education through an outside organization, as will positions for pilots or other specialists.
Part 2 of 3: Making your resume
Step 1. Enter your contact information
An important part of any resume is to include your contact information accurately and completely. While this might seem obvious, it may be the case that you miss a point of contact, causing you to lose a job offer if the employer selected you for an interview. Include the following contact information:
- your full name;
- your address;
- telephone numbers;
- an e-mail address;
- any web pages that you have created that contain your contact information or that highlights your relevant professional skills.
Step 2. Include your former employers on your resume
It is considered standard procedure to include a list of your former employers for a period of 10 years. This will show that you were able to be engaged in some type of employment during this time and you will also be able to demonstrate your skills and abilities. Make sure your list is complete and contains the following details about your former employers:
- full name of employer;
- the date you were hired and when you retired;
- where your employer was located;
- Focus on your roles and responsibilities with that employer.
Step 3. Detail your skills, qualifications, and education
Your employer will use your resume to judge whether you are a good potential candidate for the position for which you are applying. In order to prove this, you will need to include all qualifications and skills relevant to the position, as well as your current level of education. Presenting these details on your resume will help your chances of landing an interview.
- Include the name and address of all the colleges you went to.
- List all the degrees, including outstanding and simple ones, that you earned at these colleges.
- List all the skills you might have that are relevant to the position.
- Some positions require specific certificates or qualifications that you must include on your resume.
Step 4. Prepare a list of references
While the airport you are applying to may not require you to do so, preparing a list of high-quality references can be a helpful step to consider. References may prove to an employer your character, work ethic, and qualifications. By having the contact information for your references ready, you can quickly provide it if they ask for it.
- References should be included on a separate page, not on your resume.
- Include only references that you think will give a good comment about you.
- Make sure your references know that you include them on your resume.
- Include the full name and contact information for each referral.
- Indicate the relationship you had with your reference.
Step 5. Apply for open positions
Once you've completed your resume and it's up to date, it's time to start applying for open positions at the airport. Try to apply to any open position that interests you and for which you are qualified. Stay positive and persistent as you follow the application process all the way through the interview.
- Keep a list of the positions you applied for, as well as the place and date.
- Stay positive and upbeat even if you don't hear after you apply.
- Apply for as many open positions as you can to increase your chances of landing an interview.
Part 3 of 3: Making the Most of Your Interview
Step 1. Get there early
Arriving early for an interview is a simple step that you can take into account so that you can function better during the process. Make sure you allow plenty of travel time for your interview and plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time.
- Plan your travel route in advance so you don't get stuck in traffic or be late.
- By arriving early, you can show your potential employer punctuality.
- Having a few extra minutes will allow you to relax, calm down, and focus before the interview.
Step 2. Be safe
While the interview can be a difficult and stressful process, expressing confidence can go a long way in helping you secure the position. Try to keep a few of the following things in mind to help you appear confident and enthusiastic during the interview:
- Give a firm handshake: Hold your interviewers' hand for about two seconds and make eye contact when greeting them.
- Use good body language: Avoid things like fidgeting with your fingers, constantly scratching or adjusting your clothes.
Step 3. Practice your interview
Practice makes perfect and interviews are the same. Getting some practice can help you stay calmer during your actual interview and will represent the way you want to be. Knowing what to say as well as how you want to say it can also help you feel more confident, which will improve your chances of getting the job.
- Try using a mock interview service.
- Practice your answers to questions that you hope to be asked.
- Think about how you want to represent yourself and how your responses might go.
Step 4. Think of some questions that you will ask your interviewer
Interviews should go both ways, which will allow your interviewer to understand you better and for you to understand your potential employer better. Don't be afraid to ask thoughtful questions during your interview as this will help you show interest in the position.
- Take some time to research the position and the airline you could work for.
- Avoid asking questions about salary.
- For example, you could ask where the company or airline is heading in the future.
Step 5. Then send a thank you note
After the interview, it may be a good idea to send a thank you message to the contact or interviewer. Sending this message can indicate that you are courteous and serious about the position and can help you make a good impression on the interviewer.
- Send your thank you message within 48 hours after the interview.
- Your thank you message should be short.
- Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.
- Let your contact know that you enjoyed the meeting and that you are happy about the opportunity.
Advice
- Start your research by looking for positions that appeal to you.
- Find out what the job qualifications are and if you need more training or education.
- Update your resume.
- Apply for any open position you find.
- Stay calm and confident during the interview.