Professionalism Career Confidence during Turbulent Times

Some of us have faced the brunt of the ongoing slump in our economy. Reality for most in aviation maintenance means suffering a life of constant transition, job to job and location to location. Years of this may leave one feeling a bit like a gypsy that is always on the move, with a sense of being undervalued and underappreciated. Natural tendency may be to fall into discouragement, believing one has little to no control over his or her own destiny, but this is only half of the truth. You can take steps to make yourself more valuable as an employee and as a prospective employee.

Personal Challenge

Accept the personal challenge to move beyond denial; self-pity is a trap which you can ill afford and can often lead to a hole that has no bottom. Your responsibility is to take hold of what you do have control over. This is your responsibility and no one else’s. (If you believe this is your employer’s job, you will be sadly disappointed). Assess your current career status. Strive to find ways to increase your viability and survivability with what you already possess. Practical strategies can make you more employable during periods of unemployment and underemployment.

Keep in mind that it is never too late,  yet recognize it will more than likely take some time before you begin to see benefits of implementing your plan. (In fact, it will probably take longer than you would like!) Understand that your plan may require some change in habit and/or thought. Effort and persistence are required ingredients; you can’t get something for nothing. When you stumble or fall, don’t beat yourself up. Get up, shake it off and continue on. Your focus should be on your goal ahead, not where you are now.

Current Reality

The market has seen massive layoffs in all sectors of the aerospace industry, with many jobs relocating outside of our country. Good job opportunities seem few and far between, with many potential jobs being deflated versions of earlier positions with reduced pay. There is no shortage of talented people hungry for work – even for less pay than they were willing to work a few months ago! You need to become better prepared. Make potential employers interested in bringing you into their fold.You may not have much power but you are NOT completely powerless.

Know that many old notions of work are no longer valid. Some of these myths include working at the same company till retirement, having a good pension with security that won’t be taken away, and job seeking by knocking on doors. Both the means and the environment of job seeking have changed tremendously from what it was five to 10 years ago.

Would You Hire You?

Your resumé represents you. Is it current, complete and accurate? Does it have any flaws? How well have you documented your level of experience and any special expertise you possess? What does your work history say about you (both the positive and the negative)? What would past employers/coworkers say about your work habits? Have you received any degrees, awards or distinctions? Are you working towards any? Have you been involved in any special committees or professional societies? Are you actively engaged in activities indicative of progressing in your career field?

How vast are your skill sets? Do you have an inventory of skills to offer, such as problem solving, welding, computer proficiency, etc.? Have you documented any continuing education or training and any maintenance software programs you may be familiar with? Have you been improving yourself?

Gauge your attitude. How well would you fit in a different environment? Think of what do you have to offer (both positive and negative). How willing are you to change/adapt to new ways? Do you routinely exceed performance levels and take initiative on your own? Do you “walk” the talk, or are you willing to compromise established standards or policies with unorthodox shortcuts?

Practical Strategies: Your Resumé

Take charge today! Don’t put it off! Create a core resumé of basic information, correct it and update it. Tailor each resumé to match the job — don’t try to use just one for all! Be sure to use any keywords from the posting. Solicit assistance from an expert (e.g., HR recruiter, career coach/counselor). Understand that clerical staff (or a computer) will have first crack at tossing your resumé aside. Ask for their honest assessment. Keep this core resumé up-to-date. Add every new item upon completion (degree, diploma, award and certificate). Review this core resumé every six months and add job-specific details to fine tune it for the particular position.

Practical Strategies: Your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Educate yourself (e.g., college, journals, etc.). Document your experience (e.g., table, logbook, etc.) and not just on-the-job duties. Create an inventory of skills — both aviation and non-aviation-related (i.e., metal working, electricity, etc.). List other abilities/talents that may be suitable (e.g. computer utilities) and could be something to set you apart from the crowd. Plan and prioritize all future training. Ask yourself if the training is something you can take with you for application elsewhere, or will it be limited to your current employer? Use the Bureau of U.S. Labor Statistics Web site (www.bls.gov) for creating your technical inventories. The site offers occupational statistics, demographics, median salaries, work descriptions and on and on. It even displays Excel spreadsheets of abilities, interests, job zone, knowledge, related occupations, skills, tasks, tools and technology, work activities, work context, work styles and work values (more than what you need). You don’t have to start from scratch. Just understand the data was compiled by others who work in OTHER fields. Right or wrong, it still may be the standard by which you are gauged.

Practical Strategies: Attitude

Maintain a good sport frame of mind, consistently positive and unselfish. Always take the high road. Find constructive outlets to release stress, negativity and need for significance. Focus on problem solving rather than on people themselves. Improve yourself and make yourself better because of adversity. Don’t let circumstances rule your actions. Begin thinking about relocating, or possibly working within the context of a similar occupation that may be less volatile. As Clifford Kelling says, realize that “every job is a good one to have been from!”

Practical Strategies: Work History

Know your work history, not just what your might think it might be. Ask others to comment about your past work, strengths and weaknesses. What former duties would be classified as “assets,” and which ones could be labeled as “liabilities?” Be sure to keep a record of each job held, complete with role specifications, task/duty listing, contact names and phone numbers, and references of at least three coworkers. Have all this handy when completing job applications, especially if completing an online application.

Practical Strategies: “Recons”

Perform good and thorough job searches (about every six months). This provides a common datum or baseline for jobs and their associated salaries and serves two purposes. “Recons” may give you the opportunity to find better employment you wouldn’t normally be aware of, or they may even give you a better appreciation for the job you already have. “Recons” also supply credence for merit increases during your annual appraisal regarding benefits and compensation. Never come to the “bargaining table” with empty hands. Job seeking keeps you fresh with knowledge of where potential employment may be heading, and where it may be limited!

Always:

• Conduct thorough searches regarding the potential company, its application process, and when, where and to whom to route job candidate items. Make every legitimate effort to contact the hiring manager. He or she can notify HR to keep an eye out for your paperwork, but don’t become a pest.

• Follow all instructions given.  Don’t take short cuts like “see above” or “refer to” unless instructed to do so. Observe pertinent deadlines and closing dates.

• Continue to build your network of contacts and always be the “professional” you can be. Practice and improve your interview technique.

Never:

• Make this endeavor personal. Given the opportunity, you will eventually be disappointed.

• Leave things to chance. Follow through with follow up and take whatever recovery efforts as needed.

• Take any relationship for granted. Sometimes it is who you know.

• Knowingly leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. Flies are more attracted to honey than vinegar.

• Lie or stretch the truth.

• Say no to help.

• Stop learning.

• Be a spectator, a victim of circumstance.

• Give up.

 

Thomas Sheckler is President and Senior Consultant of Expert Aerospace Solutions, LLC. His aerospace background includes aeronautical engineering, flight operations, ground/ramp/cargo operations, aircraft maintenance and aviation management, with past exposure working in general/business/corporate aviation, fixed-base operator, flight school, repair station, air carrier and military settings. He holds certification as an FAA A&P, technical trainer, instruction/curriculum designer and performance consultant. He has undergraduate degrees in aviation and aircraft maintenance and graduate degrees in system safety and human factors. He is a past Aviation Safety Counselor (Airworthiness) and current FAASTeam Representative who presents material for various aviation events. Expert Aerospace Solutions LLC, established in 2010, is a multi-discipline consulting agency specializing in aviation problem solving. EAS LLC engineers both technical and non-technical responses to several issues experienced within the aerospace industry, such as safety, compliance, training and quality interventions. Send email to sheck1dd@hotmail.com.

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D.O.M. magazine is the premier magazine for aviation maintenance management professionals. Its management-focused editorial provides information maintenance managers need and want including business best practices, professional development, regulatory, quality management, legal issues and more. The digital version of D.O.M. magazine is available for free on all devices (iOS, Android, and Amazon Kindle).

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