Writing a Compelling Cover Letter for a Job with an Airline

Getting a job with an airline is highly competitive. To stand out from the crowd, you need an exceptional cover letter to get your application noticed. Cover letter templates can help you craft a compelling letter tailored to the role and airline. Your cover letter is your chance to showcase your passion and qualifications. Follow these tips to make your application shine and get noticed.

Research the Airline and Role

Before writing your cover letter, thoroughly research both the airline and the specific role. Study the airline’s website, press releases, and news articles. Learn about the company culture, values, goals, and current challenges.

For the role, carefully read the job description. Make note of the required and preferred qualifications. Find out as much as possible about the day-to-day responsibilities. Use this information to tailor your cover letter. Show the recruiter that you understand the airline and are qualified for the job.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience

Pick out the top qualifications from the job description. Include specific examples of how you meet each requirement. Look at example letters as these can guide you in selecting the most relevant skills and experience to highlight.

For an airline customer service role, describe your work in previous customer-facing positions. Give examples of how you solved customer complaints. Mention any training or certifications, like a customer service excellence certificate.

For a pilot job, detail your licenses, flying hours, and aircraft you are certified to operate. Share any experience working in commercial aviation. Providing numerical figures and specific details makes your background stand out.

Emphasise Airline Knowledge and Passion

Airlines look for candidates who are passionate about aviation and their company’s mission. Convey your industry knowledge and enthusiasm. Mention any personal experiences that sparked your interest. Share why you want to work for this particular airline.

For example, you might explain how you’ve always loved air travel. Describe childhood memories of plane trips or a formative trip abroad. Let your passion shine through.

Align with Company Values

Study the airline’s core values and culture. Look for ways in which your background and personality align. Reflect their stated values like teamwork, safety, service, or innovation.

Give examples of how you demonstrated these values in past roles. Aligning with company values indicates that you’ll fit right in with the culture. It also shows you did your research on what the airline looks for.

Mirror the Company Voice

Pay attention to the tone used on the airline’s website and in job postings. Mimic their style in your cover letter. Using similar phrasing helps your letter feel cohesive. For instance, if the airline describes their culture as warm and welcoming, adopt a friendly tone. Incorporate some of their key phrases. This shows you can represent their brand voice.

Structure with Specific Examples

Avoid vague, general statements about your abilities. Use the STAR technique to structure your cover letter. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. For your top qualifications, briefly describe:

  • The situation or challenge you faced
  • The specific task or objective
  • The actions you took
  • The positive results achieved

The STAR method keeps your letter focused on tangible examples versus general platitudes. Hiring managers prefer concise, specific stories that showcase hard skills.

Proofread Thoroughly

Proofread your cover letter several times. Check carefully for any spelling, grammar, or formatting errors. Ask a friend to review it with fresh eyes.

When applying to an airline, accuracy and attention to detail are essential. Even small errors can remove you from consideration for such a detail-oriented field.

Customise for Each Job

While templates provide helpful guidelines, avoid sending the exact same cover letter for different airline jobs. Customise the specifics for each role and airline. Update the details, examples, and language to match every new position.

Tailoring your letter shows this opening truly interests you. With a customised cover letter, you’ll avoid seeming lazy or undesirably over-general.

Set Yourself Apart

Submitting a generic, bland cover letter makes getting noticed difficult. Use your cover letter to stand out from other applicants.

Showcase why you are truly excited by and fit for this position. Let your unique personality and voice come through. Spend time making your letter engaging and reflective of your skills and passions.

With a carefully crafted cover letter tailored to the airline and role, you can catch a recruiter’s eye and land an interview. Be sure to follow up after submitting your application. With persistence and a phenomenal cover letter, you can launch your dream career with an airline.