Ep. 285 Pilot Resume' Masterclass. Learn How to Get the Interview
Ready 4 Pushback
Nik Fialka
4.8 • 716 Ratings
🗓️ 2 October 2025
⏱️ 23 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Every pilot dreams of that moment when the wheels lift off, the earth falls away, and the sky becomes home. But when it comes to landing your dream aviation job, skill in the cockpit isn't enough — it takes strategy on the ground.
In this episode, Nik breaks down the art of the pilot resume. After reviewing more than a thousand real pilot resumes, he shares the top mistakes he sees and the top 10 tips to help you stand out. From formatting to flight hours, leadership to community service, Nik walks you through what works, what doesn't, and how to make your one-page resume a ticket to the right seat.
Whether you're just out of flight school, moving up from regional, or coming off a military career, this episode gives you the tools to build a professional, polished resume that recruiters will notice.
What You'll Learn:
Why a clean, one-page resume is a must for pilots
How to format certifications, flight time, and professional experience
The power of action verbs to highlight leadership and safety Common mistakes to avoid — from flashy designs to AI-generated resumes
How achievements and community service can set you apart
Top 10 Resume Tips Nik Covers: Keep it one page Personal info — full name, clean email, no call signs
Skip the objective statement Certifications & ratings Flight time — bold the essentials (Total, PIC, Turbine) Professional experience — consistent formatting, clear dates Emphasize leadership, safety, CRM Use action verbs (developed, led, implemented)
Trim down long military careers without losing impact Show community involvement & achievements
CONNECT WITH US
Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don't wait until it's too late. Use the promo code "R4P2025" and save 10% on all our services. Check us out at www.spitfireelite.com! If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at [email protected], and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates!
SPONSOR Are you a pilot just coming out of the military and looking for the perfect second home for your family? Look no further! Reach out to Marty and his team by visiting www.tridenthomeloans.com to get the best VA loans available anywhere in the US.
Be ready for takeoff anytime with 3D-stretch, stain-repellent, and wrinkle-free aviation uniforms by Flight Uniforms. Just go to www.flightuniform.com and type the code SPITFIREPOD20 to get a special 20% discount on your first order. #Aviation #AviationCareers
#aviationcrew #AviationJobs #AviationLeadership #AviationEducation #AviationOpportunities #AviationPodcast #AirlinePilot #AirlineJobs #AirlineInterviewPrep #inspiration #inspirational #flying #flyingtips #motivation #motivational #PilotDevelopment #PilotFinance #pilotcareer #pilottips #pilotcareertips #PilotExperience #pilotcaptain #PilotTraining #PilotSuccess #pilotpodcast #PilotPreparation #Pilotrecruitment #flightschool #aviationschool #pilotcareer #pilotlife #pilot
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Hey, pilot, welcome back to Ready for Pushback. I'm Nick Fialca. Thanks for joining me today. It's a big one. We are talking resumes. |
| 0:11.0 | It all started as a spark. Maybe it was the sound of jets racing across the sky. |
| 0:19.0 | Or the feeling of your heart racing as you watch CropDuster flying low and slow. |
| 0:24.6 | Even then, you knew you were meant to fly. |
| 0:28.6 | For pilots, it's more than just a job. It's a calling. |
| 0:32.6 | The early mornings, the long hours, the relentless training, you didn't do it for the money. |
| 0:40.3 | You did it for that moment. |
| 0:42.3 | That moment when the wheels lift off and the earth falls away beneath you. |
| 0:46.3 | But flying is just the beginning. |
| 0:48.3 | The journey to your dream job takes more than just skill in the sky. |
| 0:52.3 | It takes strategy on the ground and a lifetime of learning. |
| 0:57.0 | Most pilots don't understand what career opportunities are available in the world of aviation. |
| 1:03.0 | Learn how to go from good to great, from flight school to regional to major, and from hopeful to hired. |
| 1:16.0 | Whether you're sharpening your skills, building your resume, or preparing for that big interview, |
| 1:18.7 | this is where pilots come to level up. |
| 1:20.9 | Let's get ready for pushback. |
| 1:24.4 | Here's your host and my dad, Nick Fialca. |
| 1:29.2 | The resume show is going to be very interesting today. |
| 1:34.9 | I'm going to give you a big detailed analysis of resumes, and I need to give a special shout out to my man Ray Ray, who is the executive officer of the Navy Blue Angel flight |
| 1:40.9 | demonstration team. One of my buddies came to me with a resume to take a look at, |
| 1:46.7 | and I have been looking at so many resumes. I took a look, went through his resume, and then I |
| 1:53.2 | jumped over on LinkedIn and asked for some too. So here we go. We're going to get into it, |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Nik Fialka, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Nik Fialka and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.