Not Better - Just Different
Sick of aviation recruiters who don’t know the first thing about aviation?
I’m Lewis — an actual airline pilot and ex-operations manager who got fed up with agencies guessing what we want.
That’s why I started V1: a recruitment service built by aviation professionals, for aviation professionals.
We understand the lifestyle, the pressures, the training, the fatigue, the sacrifices — because we’ve lived it.
If you want honest advice and real opportunities from someone who’s actually worn the uniform, you’re in the right place.
Recruitment Has A Big Problem
A recent survey in the Middle East revealed that 59% of employees want to leave their jobs, and 81% would leave if offered better training. Based on my conversations with hundreds of aviation professionals, I believe similar trends exist in Europe and the UK.
The reasons are often the same:
- Lack of cultural alignment: Many employees are sold a false narrative about life in other countries or roles. Large pay cheques can be enticing, but when reality doesn’t match expectations, disillusionment sets in.
- Not feeling heard or respected: Innovative ideas are often dismissed, and in some companies, a clear disconnect exists between management and employees.
- Limited personal development opportunities: Ambitious professionals want to progress, but without the right guidance or support, they are often held back, creating frustration and resentment.
A key contributor to this problem is recruitment agencies that sell false dreams, focusing on volume and commission rather than the long-term fit.
This is where we are different. At V1 Recruitment, we focus on the long-term. We don’t encourage people to change roles unless they are 100% sure and have been given the full picture. Our goal is to ensure every placement is the right one — for the candidate, for the company, and for the future.
Placing People Where They Belong
Have you ever worked at a company where you felt disconnected from the people around you — where your values or working style just didn’t align with the company’s culture?
At V1, we do things differently to ensure that doesn’t happen. Traditionally, only candidates complete personality assessments during the hiring process. But at V1, we also ask our clients to complete a culture fit assessment first. This helps us understand each company’s culture, management style, and what makes them unique.
We believe that verifying qualifications and experience alone doesn’t lead to successful placements. For a truly effective match, both the candidate and the company need to be aligned — in values, mindset, and long-term goals.
Our approach focuses on connecting talent with job opportunities that resonate with their unique beliefs and perspectives. We recognize that everyone thinks differently, and when those differences don’t align with an employer’s culture, it can lead to frustration and short-lived roles.
Our recruitment solutions are designed to prevent that. We ensure candidates find environments that suit their personalities, and clients find team members who are genuinely aligned with their culture — creating long-term, successful partnerships for both sides.