Ask an Aviation Recruiter: Aviation Career Advice, 2026 Winter Edition
- hollybirmingham
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Aviation Career Advice featuring Teigan Cradock, Recruitment Resourcer
Navigating the aviation job market can be challenging at any stage of your career. With the new year bringing a fresh start, many professionals are taking a moment to reflect, reset, and plan their next career move.
Whether you’re actively applying or simply exploring your options, understanding the recruitment process and what employers are really looking for can make a significant difference.
In this edition of Ask an Aviation Recruiter, we spoke with Recruitment Resourcer, Teigan Cradock, to bring you honest insights and practical advice to help you approach your aviation career with confidence.
What does “good cultural fit” really mean in aviation recruitment?
In aviation, as in many other industries, every airline and operator has its own set of values, standards, mission statements, and behaviours that shape how they operate. From fast-paced and performance-driven cultures, to people-centric or heritage-rich environments, understanding the spectrum of airline cultures helps you identify where you’re most likely to thrive.
It’s important for professionals to understand and airline’s overall culture before committing to a contract or new role, ensuring your career goals, strengths, and preferences align.
If you join an airline that has a highly performance-driven culture but prefer a steadier pace, the environment can feel demanding. Equally, those with driven personalities may find this type of culture energising and motivating.
Finding the right cultural fit can be the difference between your career progressing or stalling, and plays a major role in long-term job satisfaction.
Explore the common airline cultures and the impact they have on your career by visiting our article, Evaluating Airline Culture for your Career here.
How honest should candidates be about weaknesses or gaps?
Highlighting your weaknesses or gaps on your CV or in your interview can benefit you more than many professionals realise.
Explaining these honestly demonstrates self-awareness and transparency, qualities that airlines value. To turn a weakness into a positive, explain how you plan to address it and continue developing professionally.
Only highlighting strengths, can give the impression that you lack self-reflection or ambition to grow, or could come across as inflexible. Being open about weaknesses allows for more honest, productive conversations.
Adding context around gaps in employment can help put concerns at ease, whilst also highlighting your commitment for the future.
How can candidates take control of their job search rather than waiting?
A common misconception when job searching is that success requires constant effort and time, which can often lead to burn out. Job hunting often feels like a job in itself, particularly if you’re still working at the same time. However, there are many small actions you can take to allow the right opportunities to find you.
Finding the right job boards and social media pages is a good place to start. Recruitment specialists, like us, frequently post new and existing opportunities around the globe with established airlines or operators, often daily. Though these jobs may not all be relevant to you, your goals, and your skills or licences, they’re a good place to start.
You don’t need to spend time scrolling every day looking for the right job posting. Turning on post notifications for these pages will keep you informed when a new job goes live, without repeatedly checking feeds.
Our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram pages are updated every day with new and existing aviation job opportunities, clearly highlighting requirements and benefits. Be sure to visit, press follow and turn on post notifications on your chosen channel to stay updated.
Another small but effective strategy is to join dedicated groups. These groups are often created for specific roles or Type-Ratings, allowing companies to share relevant opportunities directly with members. Groups are also excellent for asking questions and connecting with other members in similar positions.
Our AeroProfessional LinkedIn page has many dedicated groups for you to join, from B737, to A320, Non-Type-Rated, and more. These groups feature job postings specific to the group.
This is an easy way to refine your search and stay informed.
The most effective strategy for job opportunities to find you is registering with relevant recruitment firms. You’ll receive tailored email alerts with new roles, plus expert support and advice.
By registering with AeroProfessional, you’ll receive early notification when a new role goes live. You’ll also be directly contacted when a role matches your qualifications, hours, Type-Ratings, and licences, ensuring you receive only the most suitable opportunities. Plus, our monthly bulletin enables you to stay updated on the most in-demand roles, as well as providing valuable insights and advice.
Registering is the easiest way to fast-track your job search, just one click of a button, and opportunities will find you.
To get started, register with us here.
What advice would you give candidates feeling stuck in their career?
Whether you’re currently in a job you love, one you don’t, or not working at all, assessing your situation and considering your future is an important place to start when you’re feeling stuck.
Consider whether your airline or operator offers structured career growth plans, how you’ve progressed in the past 5 years, what your career goals are, and if you’re ready for a change.
You can be happy in your job, but have zero growth. But over time, this can negatively impact motivation and outlook. These same factors apply for any situation where growth has stopped or is not offered.
Taking a moment to put this into perspective can help you to further understand your situation and create a plan, ultimately building a healthy and secure future outlook.
Whether you’re ready to move on, or you’re unsure where your future is headed and how to navigate it, reach out to our expert recruitment team who will provide their specialist advice on your situation and help you get your career moving again. Reach out here.
In Conclusion
Every career move in aviation starts with the right information. Whether you’re actively searching or simply planning ahead, staying informed puts you in control of your next step. The more clarity you have, the stronger your career becomes.
By understanding what to focus on, you can approach your next move with greater confidence and clarity. Our recruiters are here to offer honest guidance and support whenever you need it.
If you have more questions or would like tailored advice, we’re always happy to help. Keep an eye out for the next edition of Ask an Aviation Recruiter, where we’ll continue to share insights to support your career progression.
