How Pilots Can Stand Out in Today’s Job Market: Insights from LPA 2025

When the lines to talk to airline recruiters stretch 50 pilots deep, it’s clear the hiring market has changed. That was the case at the Latino Pilots in Aerospace’s 2025 Aerospace Industry Expo. So many pilots got the chance to network and make important career connections there, and it’s always an honor to be a sponsor. The biggest trend we noticed at the conference? Competition for open positions is high right now, and many pilots are looking for a hiring edge.

Joined by Liliana Sanchez, Regional Team Lead for LPA Pacific & First Officer at SkyWest, Manuel Muñoz, United Airlines pilot & Finance Director at LPA, and Scott Rehn, Delta Airlines Captain, recruiter, and CEO at Aero Crew Solutions, we hosted a speaking session on tips for pilots applying to jobs. Following are five strategies they shared.

The Challenges in Today’s Aviation Hiring Market

Scott Rehn set the stage: just a few years ago, if you had 1,500 hours, you could walk into a regional and walk out with a start date. Not anymore. Today, whether you’re aiming for cargo, regional, or a major, the competition is fierce. For every seat on the flight deck, there are dozens of qualified pilots in line.

That means the basics, and sloppy paperwork, won’t cut it. Recruiters told us straight: they’re looking for reasons to filter pilots out, not in.

Tip #1: Log Flying Hours With Intention

United Captain Manuel Muñoz shared a lesson from his own journey: log with intention. Every flight should tell your story — hours meticulously tracked, milestones noted, leadership moments captured.

He noted that he personally likes how LogTen makes this easier. With tools like the Flight Audit Report and Smart Groups, LogTen helps pilots keep their totals aligned and ready for the applications that move careers forward. Muñoz advised: think of your logbook as more than compliance. It’s your narrative. Show recruiters not just that you flew, but that you grew.

Tip #2: Paperwork Perfect

Paperwork is one of the biggest tripwires for pilots today. If their times don’t line up, if their reports look messy, then a pilot is already at a disadvantage.

That’s why so many pilots came by LogTen’s booth asking how to easily turn paper logbooks to digital using LogTen (importing help can be found here, or email us direct imports@logten.com). With 100+ professional report templates, pilots can hand over polished, recruiter-ready summaries in seconds. Walking in with tabbed, organized, flawless paperwork is how you prove you’re serious.

Tip #3: Build a Resume That Works in 90 Seconds

When it comes to resumes, recruiters don’t have time for a three-page autobiography. Pilots have 90 seconds of their attention — max. Keep resumes clean, easy to scan, and tailored to the airline you’re interviewing with.

A few pro tips from Rehn’s recruiter seat:

• Objective statements still matter. They show you’ve done your homework on the airline.
• Fill the gaps. Even if you’re a student pilot with limited experience, if your last job was managing a shift at Burger King, it shows leadership and reliability.
• Volunteer work counts. When two pilots look equal on paper, volunteer leadership tips the scale.

Tip #4: Network Like Your Career Depends on It (Because It Does)

Muñoz emphasized what got him from SkyWest to United: networking. “Whoever you fly with might be the person who gets you in the next door,” he said.

Relationships move careers forward. Every flight deck, every conference, every coffee chat is a chance to make a connection that opens doors.

Tip #5: Volunteer with Pilot Associations and Lead Early

Liliana Sanchez encouraged pilots to lean into leadership, even before making captain. For her, volunteering with LPA provided the soft skills and confidence she now carries into interviews and the flight deck. Airlines notice that, she explained, because they want pilots who are well-rounded, not just hour-builders.

A New Way to Find Pilot Jobs, Right Inside LogTen

In today’s competitive market, airline jobs are harder than ever to land. The right mindset helps, but so do tools. Recently added to LogTen is our career access feature, which can help pilots find opportunities they’re qualified for, based on their real-time logged experience.

LogTen, along with the entire Flight Schedule Pro family of products, is dedicated to supporting and engaging with the pilot community. Events like LPA, WAI, NGPA, and PAPA are just a few examples of these efforts. We are proud to be part of their journey and committed to building tools that help pilots move forward.

If you’re a pilot looking for open roles, match your hours to jobs inside LogTen now.