When it comes to aviation interviews, preparation is key! As Archolochus mentioned: ''We don't raise at the level of our expectations but fail at the level of our training'', the level of preparation often impacts the interview's outcome.
I would like to share some of my personal experiences and how I managed to successfully pass my Cabin Crew interview for a European carrier, back in 2015. Although I didn't realize it back then, my interview preparation was divided into 3 different stages:
1. Before the interview stage |
2. The D-Day |
3. Post interview stage |
As this is a broad topic, is going to be divided into 3 different posts. Let's jump straight to the first part:
1. How to prepare? (Before the interview)
Research phase
After completing the online application, start researching the airline's official website where there are some useful pages such as job openings, magazines, corporate reports, events, investment reports etc. This is the perfect moment to start taking notes!📝 📚Consider checking all important airline-specific data: size, fleet, business model, operational bases, alliances, loyalty programs and ESG reports... everything that might introduce you better to the specific airline and make your knowledge shine amongst the other candidates.
If you find any particular data hard to understand, don't worry! This can be used as an idea to trigger a nice chat with your recruiter. Having a few questions in mind during the interview can be seen as a plus - it proves good research skills and also a high interest in the potential employer.
It is important not only to read tons of materials but also to understand the airline's profile and its challenges. For example, when applying for a short-haul low-cost airline, candidates are expected to be able to relocate upon request, wherever the airline might need crew. The ideal candidates are expected to be dynamic and always on the move, as they might operate as many as 4 flights a day, 5 days in a row! :)
On the other hand, applying for a long-haul airline might require a high degree of autonomy, as it involves spending many layovers far from family and friends.
Researching the official data can show great results, however, what I've personally found useful was checking some real interview experiences through websites like PPRuNe or Glassdoor. Both are great platforms to look for: recent HR questions, written examination topics, working conditions, work-life balance, salaries and extra benefits (as a disclaimer, not all the posts are 100% accurate or reliable, so better remain vigilant). Sometimes there are also some suggested answers but I always preferred using some creativity to find my own.
After creating some notes regarding the airline, it is time to pass on to the next research elements: personality traits and role-play exercises.
Airlines are continuously searching to hire the best professionals in the market. At the end of the day, aviation remains a serious business and, as with any other business, they look for talent and skills. I realized early in life that I had some qualities that would differentiate me from other candidates. I graduated high school at the top of my class and I joined a reputable high education institution outside my country. I was fluent in multiple languages, young and eager to succeed. I thought this was the perfect match for the job - I was far away from the truth.
The cabin crew job is not a conventional career. There are no perfect CVs or backgrounds required - it all depends on the candidate and the individual's performance during the interview. One good way to prepare for the personality interview/ questionnaire is to write down or imagine a self-introduction. What is it worth mentioning about yourself? What makes you a good candidate? 3 Negative/Positive points? How would your personality match the specific airline you applied for? There is no right or wrong - just an honest and nice self-presentation that would help break the ice and create a connection with the recruiter. A good connection will certainly show its fruits later on, during the role-play game, detailed below.
When I joined aviation I didn't have any prior work experience so I had to start learning everything from 0. Later on, I realized that I was not the only one in this situation - what looks scary at first can be easily achieved by using the right mindset. What cabin crew are doing? What are they trained for? Well, they are highly skilled and well-trained individuals, who are responsible for cabin safety and security. Even though safety is their main area of expertise, they also represent the airline they are working for while in uniform and in their daily lives. They are also responsible for providing great onboard experiences to new and recurrent customers and play an important role in passenger satisfaction. However, customer service should never become more important than safety, so try imagining yourself taking care of passengers while also complying with the regulations.
Looks easy, isn't it? In reality, this is one of the key points the assessors will test candidates for! 😊 Most of the cabin crew interviews involve a role-playing game, where the candidate acts as a cabin crew while the recruiter often acts as a (unruly) passenger. This role-play aims to evaluate the candidate's: English language proficiency, knowledge of basic aviation regulations and personality traits such as communication and assertiveness. Throughout the exercise, the recruiter wants to find out how candidates cope with stress and how they manage to deal with different passenger typologies and issues that might arise during daily operations. Imagining different scenarios and simulating a role-play before the interview, from the comfort of your home is a very useful training tool.
Practice, practice, practice
Easier said than done - preparing for an interview is a lengthy process so it is preferable to have some free weeks/months available to allow the information to settle in and get stored in the long-term memory. The research phase should build the fundamentals of future training sessions😊. Personally, as an advocate of self-development, I love discovering new aspects of my personality - why not improve our careers while also improving ourselves? Let's analyze some practical examples for better understanding... 📊
Let's assume the research showed that ideal cabin crews are outgoing and enjoy spending time with other people. It wouldn't be right to believe that a shy introverted candidate will never be selected for this position. A good way I would prepare in this case would be to practice public speaking in front of a mirror and try activities outside my comfort zone (such as joining a book club, local gym, or sports team)
Another example would be a candidate, who is not fluent in English. Let's assume research showed that most airlines are asking for at least a B2 level in English, preferably C1/2, which is equivalent to fluent/native. No reason to worry about it if this is not the case - a nice strategy can be subscribing to an English Course, preparing for an English exam or even joining a cabin crew interview training that proposes aviation English seminars.
A third example can be a fresh candidate, with no prior experience in aviation. In this case, it is sensible to assume the recruiter will not dig too much into aviation knowledge. However, this candidate would benefit from getting familiar with aviation trends and topics, possibly by watching documentaries or YouTube channels. Some nice topics to bring up during a Cabin Crew interview: favorite aircraft, biggest airport visited, favorite destination served by the particular airline, preferred working pattern or operational base, and future professional career plans in aviation.
There are many self-development strategies out there, but giving up on personal goals should never become an option! ✌
Make it real!
Let's assume the research and practice phases are over - Yay!✨🎉Now is the moment to put everything into perspective. Before the interview, airlines send candidates a self-study package. This document is really important cause it usually describes: the airline, the job details, the ideal candidate profile, the selection process and the dress code for the interview.
When I prepared for my interview, I chose my outfit in line with the dress code. I remember wearing a white shirt, a pair of formal dark trousers with a jacket and a pair of dark leather shoes. Details matter, such as having the right hairstyle. For ladies, buns, straight ponytails or French rolls are great options. A freshly done manicure is also advisable, in colors such as red, pink or fuchsia. If you are unsure what you are supposed to wear, consider checking the ''How to nail the Cabin crew interview by wearing the perfect outfit'' post, where I tried to share everything I know about grooming standards.
To become comfortable while wearing the outfit, try wearing it inside the house while preparing for the interview. It will ease up a bit of the stress and make you feel natural and comfortable during the assessment day.
A good advice I once received was to practice with a relative or friend, who would like to play the recruiter's role.
Conclusion
Preparing for a Cabin Crew interview is a challenging exercise...especially for candidates who lack experience in the field. However, we have all been there and this shows it is possible to pass, with the right amount of dedication and effort. In the second part of the series, I would like to share my experiences during the interview day, and what I would have done better if able to turn back time. Although different airlines might expect different things during D-Day, there are plenty of nice tips and tricks for your toolbox that you can find in the second part of the series: ''Cabin Crew Interview Preparation 2024: My Top Tips and Tricks (Part 2)''. 😉😉
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