How to Get a Job at the Airport
The airport is not only about flights, planes, pilots, and flight attendants. It’s a great place for specialists with different professional backgrounds. Find out how you can get your foot into the airport door.
The airport is not only about flights, planes, pilots, and flight attendants. It’s a great place for specialists with different professional backgrounds. Find out how you can get your foot into the airport door.
Statista research states that the U.S. aviation industry consists of a massive air transportation network with about 213,000 general aviation aircraft, 5080 public airports, and 14,556 private ones.
With 2,900,000 passengers flying every day in and out of U.S. airports, the aviation sphere requires professional on-the-ground and in-the-sky staff to ensure that air travelers arrive safely at their destinations.
If you’ve dreamed of connecting your career with aviation and the sky, working at the airport may be what you need. It’s a place where both beginners and professionals can earn decent money. However, the main question is how to get this job. Therefore, we suggest you read this article and find out more about what types of jobs are offered by airports and airlines, where to find vacancies, and how to apply to get your interview invitation.
Getting a Job at the Airport: Employment Overview
The aviation industry provides about 87.7 million jobs worldwide, including positions within this industry and related spheres such as sales, customer service, and tourism.
The Get Cover Letter platform has conducted its research and analyzed 500 open airport vacancies. These statistics will help you understand what positions are most sought after.
5 Top-Paying Airport Jobs
Air industry jobs are quite popular and lucrative. Depending on the position, your income can go up to six figures and even higher. We’ve analyzed labor market trends and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and made a list of the five most popular and well-paid professions in the airline industry. We hope it will be the right motivation for choosing a sky-high career.- Air Traffic Controller
Median annual salary: $123,000
This specialist’s primary duty is to coordinate the aircraft’s movements to ensure safe distances between them. They direct airplanes both on the ground and in the air and control traffic at airport runways. Some of their duties include informing pilots about weather conditions, the closing of runways, etc.
Skills and qualities needed:
- good eyesight
- the ability to concentrate
- problem-solving skills
- strong coordination
- communication and teamwork skills
Candidates for an air traffic controller position should have a degree issued by the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program and at least three years of experience as air dispatchers.
- Airline Pilot
Median annual salary: $121,430
Airline pilots can work for both airlines and airports. These specialists transport passengers and cargo following a fixed schedule. Usually, they check whether the aircraft is safe and the weather conditions are acceptable and plan their flights.
Skills and qualities needed:
- excellent coordination
- good communication skills
- team-working skills
- discipline
- leadership skills
If you plan to work as a pilot, you will need a bachelor’s degree, a Federal Aviation Administration Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, and a commercial pilot’s license. You also need at least two years of experience as a commercial pilot.
- Aircraft Mechanic
Median annual salary: $70,500
Aircraft mechanics repair different parts of the aircraft, including wings, brakes, electrical systems, etc. They also test rebuilt parts to ensure that the aircraft meets performance standards and is safe to operate.
Skills and qualities needed:
- advanced mechanical skills
- reading, writing, and communication skills
- attention to detail
- problem-solving skills
- physical strength
- manual dexterity
Aircraft mechanics should earn an associate’s degree to get hired. But they also need to attend the FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician School. At least two years of experience in aircraft mechanics may be required.
- Airport Manager
Median annual salary: $63,336
Airport managers supervise all airport employees and coordinate airport daily operations. They primarily focus on airport safety, regulations, and budget planning.
Skills and qualities needed:
- multitasking
- leadership skills
- ability to work under pressure
- communication skills
For those interested in the airport manager’s career, it’s better to get a degree in aviation or aviation management. Business and managerial background can be a decisive advantage.
- Transportation Security Officer
Median annual salary: $58,500
Transportation security officers, also known as transportation security screeners, check passengers, baggage, and cargo using x-rays to prevent any dangerous objects from being transported onto an aircraft. Their task is to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration regulations.
Skills and qualities needed:
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- ability to work with a team
- physical strength
- attention to detail
Bachelor’s degree and Transportation Security Administration certification are the minimum requirements for this position. At least one year of security experience is highly preferred.
5 Best Airport Roles for Beginners
High-paying professions require experience and a certain level of skills. But what if you are only equipped with a diploma and very little or no experience? That is why we’ve selected the five best entry-level jobs that can be an excellent start for your career.- Flight Attendant
Median annual salary: $56,650
As a flight attendant, you will conduct preflight inspections of emergency and safety equipment and demonstrate how to use it to passengers. You will need to make sure that passengers have their seatbelts fastened. Your duties will also include serving and selling beverages and meals.
Skills and qualities needed:
- attention to details
- communication skills
- customer-service skills
- decision-making skills
- physical stamina
A high school diploma and the Federal Aviation Administration certificate are required to get hired as a flight attendant.
- Airport Security Agent
Median annual salary: $39,500
An airport security agent ensures the safety of passengers at the airport. This specialist patrols airport property and reports any violations to the Transportation Security Officer.
Skills and qualities needed:
- physical fitness and strength
- trustworthy character
- excellent verbal and written communication skills
Airport security agents should have a high school diploma. In some cases, educational requirements can be replaced by one year of security work experience.
- Airline Reservation Agent
Median annual salary: $37,000
Airline reservation agents provide information about airline regulations and help customers organize their travel plans.
Skills and qualities needed:
- attention to detail
- listening and communication skills
- multitasking
- problem-solving
Typically, a high school diploma is a primary qualification needed for this position. However, some airlines and airports prefer candidates with a two-year degree.
- Passenger Service Assistant
Median annual salary: $35,170
Passenger service assistants help people in using airport services. Their primary duties include checking in passengers, making announcements, handling baggage, and assisting with boarding and security.
Skills and qualities needed:
- excellent communication skills
- customer service skills
- attention to detail
To get this position, you will need a high school diploma. Customer service experience is preferred, but you may be trained on the job to gain relevant skills.
- Ramp Agent
Median annual salary: $32,600
Ramp agents load and unload aircraft baggage. They operate baggage and cargo equipment following occupational safety regulations.
Skills and qualities needed:
- physical strength
- communication skills
- ability to work both independently
If you are considering a ramp agent career, you should get a high school diploma or equivalent. No additional licenses or education may be required.
How to Search for Work at the Airport
Having chosen the airport employment field, and possibly even a particular profession, you have to go through several steps to make your plans come true. One of them is to search for open positions. It can be done in several ways, for example, by checking job boards. Using filters, you can narrow your search to a specific position, salary level, or location. But we want to offer you a few more options that work.
Airport Website
Quite often, airports publish lists of open vacancies on their websites. Moreover, it’s the best place to find the most reliable information about position requirements and the recruitment process. Some airports create separate application forms for job seekers.The airports may post contact information for the HR representative for applicants to clarify the information they need.
Airline Company Website
Most airline websites have a job seeker page with information on open positions. Usually, airline companies are looking for flight crew members to work onboard and representatives to work on the ground in airports. Some websites even have a separate section for recent grads and students.Companies Operating in Airports
Airports have many shops, cafes, and restaurants, where people spend time waiting for their flights. Thus, some companies and enterprises operating on the airport territory may post open vacancies on their websites.How to Get a Job at an Airport Tips [Work for Freshers]
Getting an airport job is not an easy task because positions are limited to the cities where the airports are located. Moreover, different positions have different requirements and hiring procedures. However, several steps can help you get an airport job. Most importantly, they can help even if you are a beginner.
1. Research Skills and Qualifications Required
First, you need to study the employer’s requirements. Read carefully the information about the skills, qualities, and qualifications required for the position. Analyze your previous experience (if any), knowledge, and background and determine skills you have, skills you should improve, and skills you must gain from scratch.2. Get Relevant Training and Certifications
Some airport professions require special training and certification. For example, if you want to work as a pilot, you need to get an Airline Transport Pilot certificate; air traffic controllers should attend an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program; flight attendants need to get a Flight Attendant Certification.Usually, special training and certification information is provided in the job description but check for this information on the Internet if you can’t find anything there. We recommend visiting the Federation Aviation Administration Academy website to get more information about the courses and training programs available.
3. Compile a List of Recommendations
Recommendations are last on our list, but not the least important. While they may not be required for some jobs, we advise you not to ignore them. After all, if you have little or no experience, it is your chance to confirm that you are still suitable for a particular position.You can ask your former colleague or professor to become your referee. If you know someone from the company you are applying to, use this chance because internal recommendations are more reliable. However, make sure that these people know how you work and can evaluate your skills and qualities.
How to Apply for a Job at an Airport
When applying for a job at the airport, you should keep in mind that the process may differ depending on the position and the employer’s requirements. But in most cases, there will be two primary documents that you will need to submit: a resume and cover letter.
Resume
A resume can be called a written self-presentation. It’s a document that describes an employee’s professional and personal characteristics.| There are several types of resumes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Chronological resume | Functional resume |
| How it works | Describes jobs in chronological order, starting with the last one | Focuses on skills, abilities, and accomplishments rather than on places of work |
| Who do they work for better | It works better for applicants who are looking for a job in a familiar field, have extensive experience, and strive for career growth | This option works better for those who have little experience, often change jobs, or return to the labor market after a break |
| There is also a combined type. It uses chronological and functional resume advantages and includes both a description of the skills and a job list. | ||
Before writing, you need to know what HRs look for in a candidate’s resume. Get Cover Letter research shows that 35% of recruiters look at job titles first, while 26% look at the companies for which the candidate worked. Thus, the recommendation here is to be specific about the position you are applying for and pay special attention to writing a work experience section.
It is also crucial to follow a clear structure to make your resume easy to understand:
- Job title
- Contact information
- Resume Summary
- Working experience
- Education and certifications
- Skills and qualities
We recommend you write using simple sentences with 5-7 words. Avoid acronyms and make sure to divide the text into paragraphs.
Choose a clear font. You can use italics or bold to highlight headings. And don’t forget that your resume should not exceed two pages.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is your chance to stand out. This document’s primary purpose is to convince a recruiter to open and read your resume. It can increase your chances of getting an interview invitation if written correctly.To write a catchy cover letter, you need to answer four questions: Who? What? Why? What for?
- Who? Write who you are and who you are writing to. Try to address the recruiter by name to personalize your letter. Most job descriptions indicate it, but if not, you’ll have to do a little research. Check the information on the company’s website or call them and ask for the recruiter’s name. Still nothing? Then write, “Dear Hiring Manager.” It’s always better than “To Whom It May Concern.”
- What? State what position you are applying for, and explain how you’ve learned about the job.
- Why? Make clear why you want to get a particular position but do it focusing on the company—research its services, activities, and initiatives. Show your interest in the employer.
- What for?
Focus on what you can offer. Explain the value you can add. Give some reasons to hire you.
End your documents with a powerful call to action. Ask the recruiter to schedule an interview and provide your contacts.
If you want your document to impress a potential employer, it is crucial to avoid some common mistakes, such as:
- Don’t retell your resume. Complement it with useful information.
- Don’t write a very long letter. 200-300 words are more than enough to make your point.
- Don’t use clichés. Take your time and come up with something unique.
Reread your text several times to correct possible errors and typos. Employers may take mistakes very critically. Even if you have checked the text several times, send it to a friend or relative for a review.
Conclusions
Today, airports need a wide range of specialists with different levels of education and experience. After all, the airport is not only about flights. It is also about working with people, servicing equipment, and ensuring safety. Moreover, it’s a place that brings together various opportunities for development and earning decent money.
We hope that this article has helped you answer the question, “How can I get a job at the airport?” Now you are a little bit closer to your dream. Follow our advice, develop your skills, gain new knowledge, improve self-presentation, be confident in success, and never stop trying.