A short, friendly conversation about who you are, how you behave and whether the boxes are ticked.

The HR interview is usually brief (around 10 to 25 minutes) and relaxed. Much of it is a checklist: motivation, background and administrative facts. Answer honestly and concisely, and remember they may verify what you say afterwards, so never invent anything.

Questions marked Hot come from assessment feedback in the last six months. The rest are long-standing favourites.

Your motivation, your background and your ambitions. Know your own story, and know the company.

Motivation & the company

• HotWhy do you want to become a pilot?
• HotWhy do you want to fly for us?
• Tell me about yourself.
• What do you know about the company, its fleet, group and bases?
• Why should we hire you?
• What are the operational differences between us and another airline you could join?
• Is speaking other languages an advantage?

Your background & skills

• HotTell me about your previous job.
• HotWhat skills or value would you bring from your previous experience?
• HotWhat are your strengths?
• HotWhat would you say is your weakness as a pilot?
• If you hold an instructor rating: how did you handle a struggling student, and would you take the same approach in the cockpit?

Ambition & the role

• HotWhere do you see yourself in five years?
• HotWould you like to become a captain, and what makes a good captain?
• HotWhat do you expect to be your biggest challenge, in training, or once you start here?
• HotYou come with prior experience. How do you feel about starting again from zero?

Other applications & preparation

• HotHave you applied to other airlines? Which ones, and has anyone responded?
• HotIf another airline offered you a place before you heard from us, what would you do?
• HotDid you do any simulator preparation, and where?
• Did you prepare for this interview, where, and how many hours?
• Which areas do you feel weakest on for the 737 sim assessment?

Competency and judgement questions. They want a concrete example and to see how you think.

Competency examples

• HotGive an example of a time you showed leadership.
• HotTell me about a stressful situation, or your most stressful flight.
• HotDescribe a time you made a safety-critical decision.
• HotTell me about a challenging in-flight situation.
• HotHave you worked in teams? Have you ever disagreed with someone in a team?
• HotHow did it feel to make a decision that impacted other people?
• HotDo you think you will be able to make important decisions with 200 people on board?
• HotWhat would your team say about you?
• Describe a time you resolved a conflict between colleagues or classmates.
• Tell me about a time you had to voice an unpopular opinion to a senior figure.
• Would you have any problem voicing your opinion?

Safety attitude

• What are SOPs, and what do they give you (safety, standardisation, efficiency)?
• Can you deviate from SOPs?
• What does “synergy” mean to you (connecting, communicating and collaborating)?

Judgement scenarios

• Your captain wants to continue the approach below minima without becoming visual. What do you do?
• You report for duty and smell alcohol on the captain’s breath. What do you do?
• A passenger feels unwell and needs immediate medical assistance. What do you do?
• You are in a non-aviation life-threatening situation (say someone near you at a stadium has a heart attack). How do you handle it, and what are your priorities?

Quick administrative checks, answer honestly and to the point.

• HotRun me through any gaps in your CV.
• HotDo you have the right to live and work in the UK?
• HotHave you travelled outside the EU in the last ten years, where and when?
• HotHave you ever been fired or dismissed from a job?
• HotHave you had any accidents or incidents in your flying?
• HotWhat is your notice period, and when can you start?
• HotAre you willing to relocate and move abroad?
• HotHow did you fund your training, and do you have the funds for the type rating now?
• Are you currently employed?
• Do you have any criminal record or unspent convictions?