Embarking on the job-hunting journey, you’ve probably discovered that a stellar commercial pilot cover letter is your boarding pass to catch an employer's attention. Unlike a resume that lists your skills, your cover letter should soar with a personal tale of your proudest professional feat, avoiding recycled phrases that might ground your first impression. Keep it concise, no more than a page, and tailor it to exhibit your unique flight path towards success. Let’s navigate the skies of cover letter writing together.
- Introduce your profile to catch recruiters' attention;
- Use professional templates and examples to make sure your commercial pilot cover letter follows the best industry standards;
- Settle on your most story-worthy achievement to shine a light on what makes your application unique;
- Write a commercial pilot cover letter, even when you lack professional experience.
Ready to start with the basics: upload your resume to Enhancv's AI, below, to see the commercial pilot cover letter it would write for you.
If the commercial 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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Commercial Pilot cover letter example
Isabella Adams
San Jose, California
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Demonstrates quantifiable achievements: The cover letter mentions specific accomplishments, such as reducing training duration by 20%, displaying an ability to create measurable results.
- Highlights relevant experience: By indicating an overhaul of an NVG training program, the candidate shows expertise in a specialized area that is directly relevant to the role they are applying for.
- Shows leadership and management skills: The candidate points out their experience in managing complex training environments and optimizing resource allocation, which are key for a senior position.
- Indicates readiness to discuss qualifications: The cover letter ends with an invitation to discuss the role further, which demonstrates the candidate's enthusiasm and assertiveness for the position.
What should your commercial pilot cover letter look like - formatting and organizing your information
Have you ever wondered what are the must-have sections you need to include in your commercial pilot cover letter? Our builder sets those up for you with:
- Header - dedicated to your contact information, the role you're applying for, and the date (don't forget to include your name);
- Greeting and opening paragraph - to create a personalized and memorable experience for recruiters;
- Body paragraph - emphasizing your skill set and knowledge that aligns with the role and helps you to stand out;
- Closing paragraph - leaving a great impression and ending with an optional signature.
Use a cover letter template to discover the best formatting for your commercial pilot cover letter: that is single-spaced paragraphs and wrapping your content in a one-inch margin.
Ensure that both your resume and commercial pilot cover letter are in the same font. Stand apart from the crowd by using modern, yet simple fonts, like Chivo and Rubik, instead of the overused Arial and Times New Roman.
Did you know that the Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your commercial pilot cover letter? Instead, submit your profile in PDF to recruiters to keep the same formatting and the design intact.
The top sections on a commercial pilot cover letter
- Header: Include your name, address, phone number, and email, along with the date and the employer's contact information to ensure the letter is professional and easy to navigate.
- Greeting: Address the hiring manager or recruitment team directly (e.g., "Dear Chief Pilot Smith,") to personalize the cover letter and show that you have taken the time to research the company.
- Introduction: Briefly state your current role, your total flight hours, and the type(s) of aircraft you are certified to fly, as these are key qualifications for a commercial pilot position.
- Professional Experience and Achievements: Highlight specific experiences that showcase your skills in aviation safety, flight operations, and crew resource management, which are crucial in the commercial aviation industry.
- Closing: Express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the company's success, mention your readiness for an interview, and include a professional sign-off with your name and any pertinent pilot license numbers or certifications.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
Extensive flight hours and experience in various aircraft models: Demonstrates competency, skill diversity, and adaptability to different flight operations.
Strong safety record and understanding of aviation regulations: Highlights a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance, which is paramount in aviation.
Effective communication and team coordination skills: Essential for working with co-pilots, crew, air traffic control, and ground staff to ensure smooth operations.
Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions under pressure: Critical for handling emergencies or unexpected situations safely.
Current pilot licenses and medical certificates as required by regulatory authorities: Validates the legal and health qualifications necessary to operate commercial flights.
Experience with advanced navigation and flight planning software: Shows technical proficiency and a capability to manage modern avionic systems.
What matters most when tailoring your commercial pilot cover letter salutation
Your commercial pilot cover letter greeting should feel welcoming to recruiters.
Use their first name (e.g. "Dear Marshall" or "Dear Sara"), if you've previously been in touch with the hiring manager and are on a more friendly basis.
If this is the first time you're contacting the recruiters, start your commercial pilot cover letter with:
- their last name (e.g. "Dear Ms. Ali" or "Dear Mr. Stevens") - look up who's the hiring manager for the role on social media or the company website;
- generalized greeting (e.g. "Dear HR Team") - just don't use "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Airline] Recruitment Team,
- Dear Chief Pilot,
- Dear Captain [Last Name],
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear Director of Flight Operations,
Using your commercial pilot cover letter intro to show your dedication
We know just how difficult it is to start writing your commercial pilot cover letter introduction.
There are so many great qualities you have as a professional, which one should you choose?
How about writing up to two sentences about your passion and commitment to the work you do or are set to do?
Try to describe exactly what you enjoy about the potential role.
A positive attitude from the get-go will help you stand out as a motivated commercial pilot professional.
What comes next: your commercial pilot cover letter middle paragraphs
In the next three to six paragraphs (or the body of your commercial pilot cover letter) you have to prove your unique value.
Most candidates tend to mess up at this stage. They tend to just copy-paste information from their resume.
That's one big no-no.
Remember that when writing your commercial pilot cover letter, it has to be personalized. And, your ultimate aim is to catch the recruiter's eye.
So, look back on key job requirements and write down a list that includes the ones you cover.
Next, select just one key achievement from your professional (or personal) history that meets those advert keywords.
Narrate a story around how you've grown your skill set and knowledge. Also, aim to show the unique understanding or soft skills you bring about, thanks to your past success.
Finishing off your commercial pilot cover letter with what matters most
So far, you've done a fantastic job in tailoring your commercial pilot cover letter for the role and recruiter.
Your final opportunity to make a good impression is your closing paragraph.
And, no, a "Sincerely yours" just won't do, as it sounds too vague and impersonal.
End your commercial pilot cover letter with the future in mind.
So, if you get this opportunity, what do you plan to achieve? Be as specific, as possible, of what value you'd bring to the organization.
You could also thank recruiters for their interest in your profile and prompt for follow-up actions (and organizing your first interview).
Lacking experience: here's how to write your commercial pilot cover letter
As a candidate with no experience, it's important to be honest from the get-go of your application.
Use your commercial pilot cover letter to sell your unique talents. Choose an accomplishment from your academic background or your volunteer work to show the skills that are relevant to the role.
Focus on your career objectives and how you see the job to align with them. Be specific and, at the same time, realistic about where you picture yourself in five years.
Key takeaways
We hope this commercial pilot cover letter writing guide has shown you how to:
- Format your commercial pilot cover letter with the mandatory sections (e.g. header, greeting, intro, body, and closing) and select the right font (P.S. It should be the same as the one you've used for your resume);
- Substitute your lack of professional experience with your most noteworthy achievement, outside of work, or your dreams and passions;
- Ensure recruiters have a more personalized experience by tailoring your cover letter not just to the role, but to them (e.g. writing their first/last name in the salutation, etc.);
- Introducing your biggest achievement and the skills it has taught you in your commercial pilot cover letter body;
- Write no more than two sentences in your commercial pilot cover letter introduction to set the right tone from the get-go.
