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10 October 2026 · 2 min read

How to Write an Aviation CV That Gets Shortlisted.

Lead with the numbers that matter, keep it to two pages and make every hour easy to check.

Recruiters and chief pilots often scan a CV in under a minute. In aviation, that first scan is about one question: does this person meet the requirements? Make the answer obvious.

1. Start with a qualifications summary

Put a short block at the very top, before your work history:

  • Licence and issuing authority.
  • Ratings: type ratings, instrument rating, instructor ratings.
  • Medical class and expiry date.
  • Total hours, with PIC and hours on type.
  • Right to live and work, plus languages.

2. Present your hours clearly

Break your flight time down the way operators ask for it: total, PIC, multi-engine, multi-crew, instrument, night and time on each type. Check that every figure matches your logbook to the hour.

3. Write experience that proves capability

List roles newest first. For each one, include the operator, aircraft types, type of operation (scheduled, charter, offshore, training) and one or two concrete achievements. "Line training captain on the ATR 72" says more than "responsible for training".

4. Keep the format clean

  1. Two pages is plenty for most candidates.
  2. Use a simple, readable layout. Avoid tables that break when the file is converted.
  3. Save it as a PDF so it looks the same on every screen.
  4. Name the file sensibly, for example Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf.
Every claim on your CV should be something you can back up with a document. If it is not in your logbook, licence or references, leave it out.

Applying on AviatorJob

When you apply for a role on AviatorJob, upload your CV as a PDF, DOC or DOCX file of up to 5 MB. You can add a supporting document too, such as your licence, medical or logbook. It is optional when you apply, but you will need one to become Verified. Browse live roles and put your new CV to work.

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