Embarking on your job hunt, you've likely discovered that a compelling pilot cover letter is a crucial step to landing your dream role. It's not just a repeat of your resume; it's your chance to narrate your proudest professional triumph. While maintaining formality, dodge the dull clichés and pack a powerful punch in a concise, one-page story. Let's guide you through crafting a cover letter that stands out as much as your most significant achievement.
- Write a pilot cover letter that helps you stand out (and get the job);
- Understand how to start and end your pilot cover letter with the appropriate greeting;
- What to include in the body of your pilot cover letter to put your best foot forward;
- Your most important achievements - how to present them as part of your pilot cover letter.
And if you want to make your life even easier, simply drag and drop your pilot resume into Enhancv's AI cover letter generator, and it will write your cover letter for you in just a few moments.
If the pilot isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Pilot cover letter example
Payton Webster
Fort Worth, TX
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Demonstrating real-world application of skills by providing concrete examples of how you have handled difficult situations, such as the strategic reroute during adverse weather conditions, can significantly bolster your credibility and showcase your problem-solving abilities.
- Highlighting commendations or recognitions received in past roles, such as being commended for outstanding performance, helps to emphasize a track record of excellence and reliability which is crucial in roles that have a strong focus on safety and compliance.
- Expressing a clear understanding of the role's demands and a readiness to contribute to specific team objectives shows that you are not only qualified but also genuinely interested in the job and the company's mission.
- Ensuring that the cover letter addresses the specific requirements of the job posting, which implies tailoring your qualifications and experiences to align with what is being sought by the employer, thereby increasing the relevance of your application.
The must-have sections and format of your pilot cover letter
When writing your pilot cover letter, keep in mind that it'll only be read by the recruiters and not the Applicant Tracker System (or software used to assess your profile). That's why you should structure your content with a/an:
- Header (apart from your contact information, include your name, the role you're applying for, and the date);
- Personalized salutation;
- Opening paragraph to win the recruiters over;
- Middle paragraph with key details;
- Closing that starts from clichés;
- Sign off (that's not mandatory).
Industry standards dictate your paragraphs to be single-spaced and to wrap your content in a one-inch margin. Designing your pilot cover letter, refer to one of our templates, which automatically takes care of the spacing and margins.
Choose the same font for your pilot cover letter as you did for your resume: the likes of Lato and Bitter would help you to stand out in a sea of cover letters in Arial or Times New Roman.
Export your whole pilot cover letter from our builder in PDF to keep the same formatting and image quality.
The top sections on a pilot cover letter
- Header: This includes the pilot's contact information, the date, and the address of the airline's hiring manager, providing the necessary details for correspondence.
- Greeting: A personalized salutation addressing the hiring manager by name establishes a direct and respectful engagement, which is important in the aviation industry.
- Introduction: The intro should mention the pilot's current licensing, flight hours, and a brief reference to their passion for aviation, immediately showcasing their eligibility for the pilot position.
- Professional Experience and Qualifications: This section highlights the pilot's specific flying experiences, safety records, types of aircraft flown, and any extraordinary situations they have adeptly managed, which are critical details for aviation recruiters.
- Closing and Call to Action: A professional sign-off that reiterates the pilot's enthusiasm for the opportunity and their readiness to discuss their qualifications in further detail, inviting the recruiter to take the next step.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or relevant certifications: Demonstrates the pilot meets rigorous training and regulatory requirements.
- Flight hours experience: Proves the pilot has practical experience and skill, especially in specific aircraft types relevant to the position.
- Safety record: Indicates the pilot's commitment to safety protocols and their ability to operate flights safely.
- Adaptability and decision-making skills: Highlights the ability to handle unexpected situations and make sound judgments under pressure.
- Communication skills: Essential for effective cockpit crew coordination, air traffic control interaction, and passenger communication.
- Knowledge of aviation regulations and procedures: Shows the pilot is well-versed in the legal and procedural frameworks governing flight operations.
How to personalize your pilot cover letter greeting
Before you start writing your pilot cover letter, take the time to find out who is recruiting for the role.
Search for the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or the corporate website to address them personally in your pilot cover letter salutation.
What if you can't find out who's recruiting for the role?
Always aim to avoid the very impersonal "Dear Sir/Madam" - instead, opt out for "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager" to make a better first impression.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear Captain [Last Name],
- Dear Chief Pilot,
- Dear [Airline Name] Recruitment Team,
- Dear Director of Flight Operations,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
Introducing your profile to catch recruiters' attention in no more than two sentences
The introduction of your pilot cover letter is a whole Catch 22 .
You have an allocated space of no more than just a paragraph (of up to two sentences). With your introduction, you have to stand out and show why you're the best candidate out there.
Set out on a journey with your pilot cover letter by focusing on why you're passionate about the job. Match your personal skills and interests to the role.
Another option for your pilot cover letter introduction is to show you're the ideal candidate. Write about how your achievements and skills are precisely what the company is looking for.
However you decide to start your pilot cover letter, always remember to write about the value you'd bring about. Making it both tangible (with your metrics of success) and highly sought out.
What to write in the middle or body of your pilot cover letter
Here's where it gets tricky.
Your pilot cover letter body should present you in the best light possible and, at the same time, differ from your resume.
Don't be stuck in making up new things or copy-pasting from your resume. Instead, select just one achievement from your experience.
Use it to succinctly tell a story of the job-crucial skills and knowledge this taught you.
Your pilot cover letter is the magic card you need to further show how any organization or team would benefit from working with you.
Ending your pilot cover letter to avoid "sincerely yours"
Yes, this sort of closing statement may work best before your signature.
But you want to give recruiters something more with your pilot cover letter ending.
Some professionals choose to go down the path of promises. In a single sentence, they map out what they'd bring about to the role (whether that's a particular technical skill set or personal traits).
Others, decide to be more concrete by thanking recruiters for their time and prompting for their next interview.
Whatever path you choose, remember to always be polite and respectful of the opportunity you've had. Good manners go a long way.
Which story should you tell in your pilot cover letter when you have zero experience
Candidates, lacking professional experience in the field - this one is for you.
Your pilot cover letter is an exercise of integrity, honesty, and, above all, spinning a positive narrative around your strengths.
And what better way to capture recruiters' attention than with your most job-relevant achievement (this could be from your internship or volunteering experience)?
Make sure to back up your success with transferrable skills that are relevant to the job (e.g. how your year, studying abroad, has taught you to be more motivated and handle multicultural environments).
Another safe card you can bet on is your career dream: in the body of your pilot cover letter, go into the details of how your ambitions would help make the company you're applying for better.
Key takeaways
Your pilot cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:
- Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your pilot cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
- Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your pilot cover letter greeting;
- Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
- Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
- Close your pilot cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.
