Pilot Resume Examples & Templates

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords and structure. They help recruiters sort many applicants fast. For a Pilot, ATS often filter by certifications, aircraft types, and flight hours.

ATS reject resumes with odd formatting or missing info. They read plain text and match keywords like "ATP", "Type Rating: B737", "IFR", "VFR", "Crew Resource Management", "ATC communications", and "flight hours". Include exact phrases employers list.

Best practices:

• Use standard section titles: "Contact", "Summary", "Work Experience", "Education", "Certifications", "Flight Hours", "Skills".
• Put certifications and type ratings near the top. List license numbers and issuing authority, like FAA ATP or EASA ATPL.
• Write experience bullets that include aircraft types, routes, duty roles, and safety metrics.
• Include keywords from the job post naturally. Add systems and tools like FMS, FMC, TCAS, and EFB where relevant.
• Save as a simple PDF or .docx. Avoid headers, footers, tables, columns, images, or embedded charts.
• Use readable fonts like Arial or Calibri and standard bullet points.

Common mistakes:

Using fancy titles like "Flight Story" instead of "Work Experience" can hide your skills. Hiding certifications in images or headers will make ATS miss them. Swapping exact terms for creative synonyms hurts keyword matching. Leaving out exact type ratings, license class, or flight hours can knock you out of the search.

Follow these steps and you make it past the ATS. Then a human reads the content and evaluates your flight safety record and experience.

Pick a clean, professional template that puts your flight credentials front and center. Use a reverse-chronological layout if you have steady flight experience. If you switch careers or have gaps, use a functional layout to highlight certifications and hours.

Keep length tight. One page usually works for entry and mid-career pilots. Use two pages only if you have long command experience, type ratings, or airline seniority records.

Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep margins and line spacing consistent so the document breathes.

List clear headings: Contact, Summary, Certifications, Flight Hours, Type Ratings, Experience, Education, and Medicals. Put total flight hours near the top so recruiters see it fast.

Avoid fancy graphics, heavy colors, and multi-column designs. Those elements break parsing and distract pilots reviewing log-like details. Use simple bullet points and action verbs to describe duties and outcomes.

Watch these common mistakes: using columns or text boxes that break ATS parsing, cramming too much text into small fonts, and mixing many fonts or colors. Don’t bury type ratings or your ATP certificate in the middle of long paragraphs.

Use consistent date formats and job titles. Put airline or employer names first, then role and dates. Keep each role to three to six bullets focused on safety, procedures, leadership, or technical outcomes.

Tailoring your cover letter matters for a Pilot role. It shows that you know the airline and the route, and it complements your resume by proving your fit.

Start with a clear header that puts your contact details first. Add the company name and hiring manager if you know it. Include the date.

Open strong. State the Pilot role you want and why you care about that airline. Mention one key qualification up front, like type ratings or total flight hours. If you saw the job on a specific site, say that.

Key sections to include:

• Header: contact info, company name, date.
• Opening: role, enthusiasm, top qualifier.
• Body: link experience to job needs, cite skills, give numbers.
• Closing: restate interest, call to action, thanks.

In the body, match your experience to the posting. Name the aircraft types you fly. Give clear numbers, like total flight hours, number of sectors flown, or on-time record. Mention training such as ATP, type ratings, and CRM courses. Keep each sentence focused on one point.

Mention soft skills too. Talk about decision making, leadership in the cockpit, and clear communication with crew. Use short examples that show calm under pressure. Show you work well with ground ops and maintenance teams.

Close with confidence. Reiterate your interest in the Pilot role and name the airline. Ask for a meeting or interview. Thank the reader for their time.

Keep the tone professional and warm. Write like you talk to a colleague. Use active verbs and plain language. Tailor each letter to the airline and the specific posting. Avoid generic templates and reuse only the parts that truly match the job.

Flying demands precision, and your resume must match that level of detail. Treat it like a pre-flight checklist and remove anything that could cause doubt.

I'll point out common Pilot resume mistakes and show exactly how to fix them. Use these tips to make your qualifications clear and believable.

Want a resume that helps you land pilot interviews? This set of FAQs and tips focuses on what airlines and operators look for, how to show flight experience, and how to present certifications and training clearly.