You have enhanced your skills, polished your CV, written an amazing cover letter, applied for your dream aviation job and even attended the interview. Right after attending the interview, it is the waiting phase. Candidates are usually unaware of how long it takes to get an aviation job. This phase is usually filled with uncertainty and confusion. Not to mention how nerve-wracking it is as well. Candidates are also not sure if the company has selected them or moved on with some other candidate.
- Why do companies usually take time to respond?
- The company is still interviewing potential candidates
- The company has put the job opening on hold
- Holidays or unexpected illness
- Technical Glitch
- We all make mistakes!
- You are not a good fit
- What to do when you don’t hear back after a Job Interview?
- How Long Should You Wait To Hear Back About an Aviation Job?
- Cabin Crew
- Aircraft Maintenace Engineer (AME)/ Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO)
- Ground Staff
- Airline Pilot
- Bottom Line
According to a poll conducted by Indeed.com, here are some of the reasons why companies take time to respond:
- Around 37% of people get a response about their decision within one week of applying.
- Around 44% of people get a response within a few weeks of applying.
- Around 15% get no response.
- Less than 4% get a response from the company within a day
Therefore, it is seen from the statistics that the majority of people wait for a long period for the decision taken by the company they apply for.
Why do companies usually take time to respond?
The company is still interviewing potential candidates
There are approximately 200-250 applicants for every job on average and the job openings are quite limited. Hence, they look for the best candidate that aligns with their requirements. On top of that, the process usually has two to three rounds. Therefore, it can take a long time until they notify you of their decision.
The company has put the job opening on hold
Sometimes the company changes its mind and put the job opening on hold in the middle of the process without any notice. It can be due to a myriad of reasons including budget constraints. Sometimes, the company might have other needs. In other words, there are many reasons for the disruption in the hiring process. However, more importantly, it is your decision whether to wait for the position or move on with some other company.
Holidays or unexpected illness
Sometimes, the person in charge of making decisions in terms of hiring might be sick or on vacation. This keeps him or her out of the office days, thereby delaying the hiring process.
Technical Glitch
Sometimes, the company might face a technical glitch in the system from their end. This makes them overlook your application and hence, resulting in totally ghosting you.
We all make mistakes!
We all make mistakes and that is what makes us humans! Well, sometimes, it might be the interviewer’s fault. For instance, he or she might have shuffled the applications. Therefore, overlooking your application.
You are not a good fit
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for some companies to simply ghost you rather than informing about their decision of rejecting you for the role.
What to do when you don’t hear back after a Job Interview?
The best thing to do about it is to patiently wait for a couple of weeks before deciding to take any action. Please note that the response time differs depending on the company and the role you are applying for. Here are some of the things you can do while waiting for a response.
Continue your job hunt
Continue applying for jobs rather than expecting the one you are already waiting for. It will help to open up multiple options for you to choose from. Waiting for your results can be mentally exhausting. However, continuing your job search will give you a sense of control of your situation thereby calming your nerves.
Write a follow-up email
If it is more than two weeks, consider writing a follow-up email. Write how interested you are in the role and gently remind them to consider your application.
Call the employer
If there is no email response, it is time to confront them virtually. However, make sure to contact them during business hours. Also do not forget to greet them politely before getting into the main conversation.
Move On!
If you still have not got any responses, it is time to move on and continue your job search. It can be frustrating and mentally exhausting. Therefore, take necessary breaks and do not be too hard on yourself. You should remember that every company needs employees of all sorts. Therefore, the right position will do come along.
How Long Should You Wait To Hear Back About an Aviation Job?
Well, the response time depends on the airline company, the urgency to fill the position and a myriad of other reasons as discussed earlier.
Cabin Crew
Flight attendants or cabin crew make the travel experience for passengers more pleasant while ensuring safety and promoting the airline brand. You are getting paid for travelling. It is indeed an exciting job!
The response time for a cabin crew job usually depends on the airline you are opting for. For instance, the recruitment process for a cabin crew in Air Asia has six rounds such as height check and document check, introduction, English test, group activity, personal interview, skill assessment and pre-employment medical examination. On average, it takes anywhere between two to three months for the whole process.
Aircraft Maintenace Engineer (AME)/ Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO)
Aircraft Maintenace Engineer (AME)/ Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) is responsible for certifying the aircraft maintenance and its fitness to fly. Additionally, they ensure aircraft’s serviceability and maintenance.
The response time for an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)/ Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) job time varies depending on the airline company you are applying for. For instance, for a Maintenance Technician job at Indigo, you will have to go through two rounds namely technical and then, HR. After the interview, it takes anywhere between a month or two to receive a mail for your joining date and 5 days of induction training.
Ground Staff
The essential duty of ground staff is to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers who travel through the airport while managing the operation of the airport. They are responsible for many things at the airport.
The response time for a ground staff job depends on the company he or she is applying for and of course, due to other reasons as well. However, for ground staff at Indigo, the recruitment process usually has two rounds. After the final interview, it takes a few days to a month for the decision.
Airline Pilot
The life of an airline pilot is adventurous. They get to see many beautiful places around the world. The main responsibility of a pilot is to fly the passengers to their destination safely.
The response time for a pilot depends on the airline he or she is applying for and a plethora of other reasons. For an Air India pilot, the recruitment process contains a written exam, psychometric test, personal interview, and medical exam. The whole process takes anywhere between a few months to a year.
Bottom Line
The waiting phase might be frustrating and even mentally draining. However, do not lose hope! Keep enhancing your skills, improve your application and continue searching for jobs. Remember there is a job for everyone in the market and the right job will do come along.