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The Aviate interview: Tips from an Aviate participant

October 11, 2024

Ethan G. had always been curious about the Aviate program and the interview process.

“I really like the flexibility of Aviate,” Ethan shared. “The company culture [of United] is also unmatched, and it was an airline that got me excited to work.”

He applied for and joined Aviate right after receiving his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating, which was completed with ATP, one of Aviate’s partner flight schools.

After his own success interviewing for the program, Ethan shared some tips and personal experiences to guide aspiring pilots, like him, through the process.

Initial steps in the Aviate interview process:

  1. Submit Aviate program application
  2. If selected, United will invite you to virtually take the Leadership Inventory Assessment
  3. Upon completion, you’ll be selected to sign up for an in-person interview in Denver, CO

While in Denver at the Flight Training Center (FTC), candidates will receive a small tour of the facility and an overview of United from United pilots. When it’s time for the interview, a pilot interviewer will meet the candidate in the waiting area to bring them, with their required documents, to the interview room.

“The interview consisted of two parts,” Ethan shared. “The first part was a behavioral interview with five ‘tell me about a time’ questions. The second part was a technical portion of the interview that was tailored toward what part of flight training you were in.”

Ethan specifically appreciated that the technical portion of the interview is curated for where a candidate currently stands in their training process.

“I think it’s really cool that they tailor the [technical portion] toward where you are in your flight training, because not everyone will know everything right off the bat,” Ethan said.

Tips to prepare:

  • Dress professionally – Ex: suit and tie/skirt or trousers

  • Ensure your logbook is cleaned up and tabbed

  • When taking the Leadership Inventory Assessment, be honest and stay consistent with your answers

  • United will share an interview prep guide once you get invited, which will even provide an explanation of how to answer “tell me about a time” questions

  • Prepare for the technical portion of the interview like you’d prepare for a check ride: study what you need to know about aviation

  • Make flashcards to help you remember the information you’ll need to know

“My time in Denver for the interview is something I'll never forget, and I'm grateful that I got to have that experience,” he said.