Looking for work as a pilot? While there are plenty of openings in the aviation industry, most people who are looking for pilots jobs still have difficulty finding them. If you haven't had much luck, you probably should broaden your search beyond the more traditional ways. That is, of course, once you have exhausted the available information through more conventional methods. Here are some tips to help you find the best places to look for pilots jobs:
Go regional. You might have some difficulty finding pilots jobs with legacy carriers due to some setbacks the industry has been experiencing lately. Of course, there are plenty of airline pilots retiring each year, but remember there's probably 10 or 20 other employees waiting to take their place. But if you truly want this job, it's worth a try.
If you want to throw a bigger net in the airline industry, go for regional carriers where the opportunity can be quite good. Regional carriers usually carry a smaller number of passengers and the pay scale isn't impressive, but if you want to get a leg in, this is a good way to go.
Find charter carriers and new players. Charter carriers are also a popular job hunting ground for pilots and there is always an open position available somewhere. You can also try discount carriers, who often list new pilot positions. Most of these pilots jobs are advertised on their websites, so it's good to check them regularly.
There are also startup airline companies that you might want to check out. Many of these companies have opened pilot jobs recently and are still hiring. Some prime examples are Virgin America Airlines and Maxjet Airways.
Look beyond your shores. If you're the adventurous type and love to explore new opportunities, you might want to check available pilots jobs with carriers based in other countries. Try the national carriers of the Emirates, for example, or those of China, Vietnam and India. Many of these carriers actually have pilots that aren't locals and if you want to add points for your flight time, these carriers may just be a good opportunity for you.
Search the internet. Another source for pilot jobs are internet sites, where opportunities are often posted. Try sites such as Aviation Employment Board, Avianation and Pilot Career Centers. An advantage of these sites is that many of them offer lively discussion groups and forums where you can leave messages and ask questions to keep yourself current.
