A recruiter screening direct-entry captain or experienced first officer applications sees a lot of CVs. Most are fine. The ones that stand out are simply easy to check: the numbers are where you'd expect them, the dates are current, and nothing contradicts the logbook.
This is how I'd structure a pilot CV for an airline move.
1. Put the screening facts at the top
The first third of the first page should answer the questions that decide whether you go to the next stage:
- Current role: "Captain, A320 family" or "Senior First Officer, B777", and since when.
- Licence: issuing authority and licence type (ATPL, for example).
- Type ratings: current, and previous.
- Medical: class and validity date.
- Language proficiency: level and validity date. See my guide to ICAO English language proficiency.
- Right to work or visa status, if relevant to the role.
Everything with an expiry date should show the date. Recruiters check it, and showing it yourself saves them asking.
2. Use a simple hours table
Don't bury hours in a paragraph. A table is faster to read and harder to misread:
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| Total time | |
| PIC / command | |
| Time on current type | |
| Multi-crew / jet (if relevant) | |
| Last 12 months |
Use the definitions in the job ad. If the airline asks for "PIC on multi-crew jet aircraft", give exactly that number, and make sure you know how it's counted. My guide on how airlines count pilot hours explains the PIC, P1 under supervision and co-pilot differences that trip people up.
Every number must match your logbook and the online form. Mismatched figures are one of the easiest reasons to be screened out.
3. Employment history, newest first
For each airline or operator: dates (month and year), role, fleet and base. Two or three lines of responsibilities is plenty. Explain any gap longer than a few months in one line. An unexplained gap invites a question you'd rather answer on your own terms.
4. Achievements, not duties
Every captain "ensures the safe and efficient operation of the flight". It tells the reader nothing. Instead, give a few specific, true examples:
- additional roles you actually hold or held (only claim titles you've formally been given)
- projects you contributed to, such as a procedure change or a safety initiative
- operations you're experienced in, such as particular airports, long-haul or ETOPS, or low-visibility operations, where relevant to the role
Keep each to one line and keep them verifiable. If you can't talk about it for two minutes in the interview, leave it off.
5. Training and qualifications
List type ratings with dates, relevant courses, and your degree if you have one. Keep it short. The airline's own assessment will test what you know; the CV only needs to show you're eligible.
6. The cover letter: three short paragraphs
- Which role you're applying for, your current position and why this airline.
- The two or three things in your background that match what they asked for.
- Your availability and notice period.
Your reason for moving should be forward-looking and consistent with what you'll say in the interview. My guide to answering "why are you leaving?" helps you get that story straight before you write it down.
Common mistakes that get CVs screened out
- Hours that don't match the logbook or the form.
- Expired or missing validity dates.
- Four pages of duties and no hours table.
- Claiming roles or titles you don't formally hold.
- A generic cover letter naming the wrong airline.
- An unprofessional email address, or contact details that aren't current.
The captain's bottom line
A good pilot CV is a pre-flight checklist for the recruiter: everything they need, in the order they need it, with nothing that fails a cross-check. Get the numbers and dates right first. The style matters far less.
Next steps
- Read the full direct-entry captain application guide for the steps after the CV.
- Take the free Airline Move Readiness Self-Check to see how ready you are for the assessment.
- The Airline Move Playbook includes templates and worksheets for the whole move.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a pilot CV be?
For an experienced pilot, one to two pages is usually enough. Recruiters want your hours, licences, types and current role quickly. Put detail in the application form or logbook, not in long paragraphs.
Should I put my photo on my pilot CV?
It depends on the region and the airline. Some airlines ask for a photo, others prefer none. Follow the airline's application instructions; if they don't say, a plain professional photo is common in many regions but not all.
What hours should a pilot CV show?
Total time, PIC (or command) time, time on type, multi-crew or jet time if relevant, and recent hours, such as the last 12 months. Use the same definitions the airline uses and make sure every number matches your logbook.
Should I list a failed check on my CV?
A CV isn't the place to volunteer detail, but never hide anything an application form asks about directly. If it comes up, be honest, short and focused on what you learned.
