gus 1 #1 April 10, 2001 Hi guys,I had a job interview yesterday and the woman that was interviewing me said something quite interesting. After she had said "Do you have a death wish?" (I couldn't help but smile at that! LOL!) she said that she had had to check whether the company *could* employ someone that skydives. Do you think this is commom practice? Do you think anyone has been ignored for a job because they skydive? Are they even allowed to do that?I think she was probably just being over-careful but does anyone have any experience of this?Gus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
windchill 0 #2 April 10, 2001 ive usually found skydiving on job applications sometimes helps. If you put you "regulaly pack other peoples parachutes" they think thats a real big deal and you must be easily trusted!!!I suppose it depends on the job,for example if your going for a job as a skydiving coach i suggest you may want to include it, (just kiddin) some employers are right miserable bastards and would show you the door straight away! Bit like my boss. The word Ignoranus comes to mind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zelda 0 #3 April 10, 2001 There was a thread about this not long ago; I'm job hunting, too, and wanted some feedback on whether or not to let slip that my favorite thing to do is jump out of airplanes...general consensus was to be honest. I actually put it on my resume under "Interests," in the hopes that I'll weed out the morons right away!blues,zelda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #4 April 10, 2001 Legally, I don't see how she could refuse to hire you on that basis alone. This topic did come up on an earlier thread. There are ways to talk about how skydiving has benefitted you, how it has improved your overall confidence, decision making skills, leadership abilities, all of that. You can work with it, and sell it. But there is that prejudice out there, and that can be hard to get past. I guess you need to try and read the person who is conducting the interview and see how they will handle it. What you do in your free time really isn't any of their business and you don't need to disclose it. Personally, I stay low key about it if I am being interviewed, because I have had bosses give me a little grief about it, and I don't want to get into that whole "death wish" discussion with a prospective future employer. I'd rather save that debate for later!If you are hiring, there are things you can legally take into consideration, and things you can't. But it would be really tough to prove that you were passed over for a job just because you are a skydiver. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacy 0 #5 April 10, 2001 my boss knew i was a skydiver... she is also very suspicious when I get, um, sick on really nice days. I'm pretty sure she's on to me....Stacyhttp://astro.temple.edu/~sweeks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #6 April 10, 2001 if you think it's going to hinder you aplication why mention it... it's alot harder to fire you for skydiving than just not hire you in the first place........my empoyer on the other hand just makes me get a stupid letter signed and go to a stupid briefing about high risk activities......if ya get really desprate for a job you could come work with me, as long as your under 28 and want to sign your life away on the dotted line, your hired!..........<> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #7 April 11, 2001 wingie - Time out! You have to attend seminars for high risk activities when the Army has the Golden Knights? That makes absolutely no sen.... Oh, wait, this is the US government we're talking about.Nevermind. ------------Blue Skies!Zennie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyboy62000 0 #8 April 11, 2001 I wonder if the Air Force Academy Parachute Team the Wings of Blue have to sign the high risk activities waiver.Blue Skies,Adam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #9 April 11, 2001 I was hired for my swim coaching job before I began skydiving and when I started and began spending all my spare time (and paychecks) jumping, I mentioned it to my boss and he's stoked about it. I've found that all the parents of the kids I teach are also very interested and most tell their kids what I do and are not scared to tell them their teacher jumps from planes. One little girl in particular (my favorite, I wonder whyOn the other hand, during the off-season, when I'm looking for part-time work elsewhere, I leave it out. When asked why I don't want to work weekends, I would sometimes say b/c I skydive and want to compete so I need to practice. I'm not sure if it had to do w/ skydiving or the fact that I put "unavailable" on the weekends but none of them would hire me. One actually did flat out say that her idea of skydivers were drug-addicted crazy people and that although she was sure I wasn't one of those, she wouldn't feel comfortable having me as an employee. Yikes! So there you have it, I gave you NO answer to your question. Ha ha ha. The answer I guess is it just DEPENDS. All employers are different. Some have stereotypes and some are more open-minded so I hope you find that latterMuch love and blue skies,Carrie http://www.geocities.com/skydivegrl20/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Head 0 #10 April 11, 2001 Hey Carrie,What team do you coach? I used to coach the Wichita Aquashocks in Wichita, KS. Is it a USA team? And thanks for the welcome on the thread I posted!Head Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #11 April 11, 2001 You're welcome, MandiI don't coach a team. I coach swimmers in the off-season or even during the season who want to be on a swim team or who are on a swim team and want more personal technique instruction. My swim company is, however, going to be starting a swim team shortly and it will be a USA teamMuch love and blue skies,Carrie http://www.geocities.com/skydivegrl20/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #12 April 11, 2001 Hi there,Just a short tale.A guy I know went for a "management" interview. During this he was asked to rate his communication & leadership skills & he replied "excellent". He was asked to justify his high opinion of himself to which he replied "I am a skydiving instructor. Every Saturday morning I take 12 people I have never met before & within 6 hours I have both motivated them & taught them the survival skills neccessary to jump from a 'plane 2/3 of a mile above the ground safely!"Got the job!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deleted 0 #13 April 11, 2001 I wouldn't mention skydiving on an application if I wereyou. Those who don't really understand it may interpretyour interest in this sport as irresponsible "risk-taking"behavior.Let them know AFTER you've gotten the job about all thegreat ways your hobby benefits your performance at work... decision making, safety checks, love of life, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 4 #14 April 11, 2001 screw it, if they don't want to hire me because I'm a skydiver, then I don't want to work there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VivaHeadDown 0 #15 April 11, 2001 I'm graduating college here in a couple weeks, and so recently had my resume checked over by the office that helps with that sort of thing, and in big letters I got a reply the I should NOT include dangerous activities in my interests. But quite frankly, it confused me, a great deal of my leadership experience comes from our club on campus, which has grown a great deal over the last couple years because of myself and a couple friends. So, I'm moving it under leadership experience category. : ) And I like that whole "packing for others" line, good stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #16 April 11, 2001 Employment?? As in WORK?? THAT is a real four-letter word...how dare you use that kind of language here...This may corrupt the minds of our brothers and sisters...Shame on you...Such language...FFF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #18 April 12, 2001 I am agreeing with "wildblue" on this one. If they don't like it, I don't want to have to spend 40 hrs per week with those people. I will be graduating college in May 2002 and will be looking for a teaching job well before then. I haven't decided yet if I will put my aspirations of skydiving (can't do AFF till May 2002). Although I also don't think they you should be prejudged according to your personal life. The fact that I will skydive has no pertinance to how well I will teach Spanish.I guess whichever side of the tracks I'm on when the time comes to send out resumes, that's what will go on there. But, it just isn't fair. I guess if you don't golf, you aren't good enough for some jerk people. Jerks. Sorry....Blue skies!Brandon and Laurahttp://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/a work in progress Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #19 April 12, 2001 I posted to the earlier thread on this topic, too... the pivot point here is the person who reads your resume or conducts the interview. Some people will be impressed with your skydiving abilities, some will think you are crazy. I think I would include it myself on a resume, just because I worked damn hard to become a skydiver, and I'm proud of my achievment. But like I said, the variable is the person on the other side of the desk. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #20 April 12, 2001 IFLYME has the main point here. Sometimes you can judge how the person will react to your skydiving. Then again, sometimes you can't.It's all a matter of perspective!BluesBrandon and Laurahttp://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/a work in progress Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
