RESUME MISTAKES
Take Off with a Flawless Pilot Resume
Identify and correct the top resume mistakes that keep you from the cockpit.
How This Page Helps
Help aspiring and experienced pilots craft a resume that soars past recruiters and ATS.
Spot hidden errors that cost you interview calls
Learn industry‑specific formatting rules
Get actionable rewrite examples
Boost ATS compatibility with the right keywords
Align your flight experience with airline expectations
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using civilian job language instead of aviation terminologyMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Recruiters may not recognize relevant skills
- ATS may miss key aviation keywords
How to fix
- Replace generic terms with industry‑standard language
- Include specific aircraft types and certifications
❌ Before
Managed a team of 10 in logistics operations.
✓ After
Led a crew of 10 on cargo flight operations for Boeing 737.
ATS Tip
Insert aircraft models (e.g., B737, A320) and certifications (e.g., ATPL, CPL) as keywords.
Detection Rules
Contains words like 'managed', 'logistics' without aircraft references
Missing FAA certifications
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags generic management verbs and suggests aviation equivalents.
Omitting flight hours and type ratingsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Flight hours are a primary qualification metric
- Missing type ratings can disqualify you from specific airline fleets
How to fix
- Add a dedicated 'Flight Experience' section
- List total hours, PIC hours, and type‑rated aircraft
❌ Before
Experience: Pilot – Various airlines.
✓ After
Flight Experience: Total Hours – 1,800 (PIC – 1,200). Type‑Rated: Boeing 737, Airbus A320.
ATS Tip
Use headings like 'Flight Experience' and bullet points with numbers for easy parsing.
Detection Rules
No numeric flight hour values
No mention of aircraft types
Resumly Tip
Resumly highlights missing hour totals and suggests a structured flight log.
Formatting with tables or graphics that ATS can’t readMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may skip content inside tables
- Graphics cause parsing errors, leading to lost information
How to fix
- Use simple bullet points and plain text
- Avoid tables, columns, and images
❌ Before
| Flight Hours | Aircraft | |---|---| | 1,200 | B737 |
✓ After
• Flight Hours: 1,200 (Boeing 737)
ATS Tip
Keep the resume as a single-column, left‑aligned text file.
Detection Rules
Presence of '|' characters or HTML tables
Embedded images
Resumly Tip
Resumly warns when it detects table markup and offers a plain‑text version.
Leaving out soft skills relevant to cockpit teamworkLOW
Why it hurts
- Airlines value crew resource management (CRM) skills
- Missing soft skills can make you appear one‑dimensional
How to fix
- Add a 'Core Competencies' section with CRM, communication, decision‑making
- Provide brief examples demonstrating these skills
❌ Before
Skills: Navigation, Aircraft Systems
✓ After
Core Competencies: Crew Resource Management, Decision‑Making under Pressure, Effective Communication (e.g., coordinated emergency procedures)
ATS Tip
Include keywords like 'CRM', 'team coordination', 'situational awareness'.
Detection Rules
Skills list lacks soft‑skill terms
No mention of teamwork
Resumly Tip
Resumly suggests adding top CRM keywords.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Flight Experience, Certifications & Ratings, Education, Core Competencies, Additional Experience
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Pilot_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages (max 2)
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State, Country (optional)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear, single‑column layout
- List total flight hours and type ratings prominently
- Include FAA/CAA certifications and medical class
- Incorporate aviation‑specific keywords
- Avoid tables, graphics, and images
- Proofread for aviation terminology accuracy
- Save as PDF with searchable text
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Taleo, Workday, Greenhouse, SmartRecruiters
Keyword Strategy: Boeing 737, Airbus A320, ATPL, CPL, PIC, IFR, CRM, Flight Hours, Type Rated
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Flight Experience', 'Certifications', 'Core Competencies'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current pilot resume text
- Convert tables to bullet points
- Add missing flight hour totals
- Replace generic verbs with aviation terms
- Insert aircraft type ratings
- Optimize keywords for ATS
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