How to run a Cabin Crew Job Search

You know that it's the job for you. You've done all the reading, and you understand that working as a flight attendant isn't all glamour and excitement. You know there's hard work and commitment involved, and that the money - well, no one becomes a cabin crew to get rich, after all. It doesn't matter - you've got your mind made up, and you're about to embark on a flight attendant job search. Here are some tips on conducting a flight attendant job search that will help you find the jobs that you want to apply for. 

1. The major airlines are only 10% of the field for yourflight attendant job search. 

There are over 60 small and mid-size airlines in the United States - over 80 if you add Canadian based airlines as well and thousands other around the world. While the major airlines have cut back on hiring and have even furloughed flight attendants since 2001, the small airlines are thriving. If you're looking to work with fractional operators and charter services, the flight attendant job search possibilities are even broader. The jobs are out there - you just need to expand the scope of your job search beyond the Big Six. 

2. Don't overlook traditional job hunt methods in yourflight attendant job search. 

Yes, they do advertise in the local paper's help wanted sections. You'll also find recruitment ads for the airlines in industry publications, so if you're serious about finding a job as a flight attendant, get yourself subscribed to aviation newsletters and magazines. 

3. Harness the power of the Internet to get your flight attendant job search into high gear. 

Do check!!!  You'll find listings for flight attendant open houses and job openings on Monster, HotJobs! and other Internet job sites. You'll also find listings for flight attendant job opportunities on some of the major newspaper's want ad pages. 

But don't stop with the job listings on the job search engines. Because aviation is so industry specific, you'll find the biggest concentrations of job openings and listings on aviation industry specific sites. A simple search for 'flight attendant jobs' will pull up several job search sites specifically for those in aviation. Check them out carefully and join one or two. Even better, find a discussion forum for flight attendants and join that. You can post questions, read information from working flight attendants and keep your eyes peeled for announcements of open houses. 

4. Apply on the company web site. 

Many airlines now have a link for you to upload your resume when you're doing a flight attendant job search. While they may not be hiring when you check, enter your information anyway so that they can send you an invitation when they do mass job interviews and informational meetings in your area. 

5. Networking is still the number one way to find a job. 

Like any other job, it's often who you know that gets your foot in the door in a flight attendant job search. Let people know you're looking - let everyone know you're looking. You might never know that your great Aunt Lucy's next door neighbor's daughter is aflight attendant if you don't mention that you're looking for a job  working for an airline - but it just might be your ticket into the industry. 

Whatever you do, do treat your flight attendant job search seriously. Look at the ads daily, and be sure to have a professional resume and a great cover letter ready to send out to any job openings that you find.

To be continued...

Smith out

How to apply for Cabin Crew jobs

If you wanted to be a flight attendant in the old days, it was a pretty straightforward process. You simply went to the airline's ticket counter, asked for an application and took it home. After you filled it out, you sent it in to the home office and waited for them to call you for an interview. 

Times have changed, and so has the recruitment process for jobs as a flight attendant. These days, the quickest and easiest way to apply for a job as a flight attendant is on the Internet. Your first stop in your job hunt for that perfect flight attendant job is a search engine or directory to find the web sites of as many airlines as possible. Don't forget to include the charter services and fractional owner airlines that are among the highest paying of all jobs as a flight attendant. With that list in hand, fire up your web browser again and start hitting the airline company web sites. 

Be sure that you have your entire resume details gathered together. Many of the airline web sites now do their preliminary screening of applicants for flight attendant jobs over the Internet. You may be able to simply upload your current resume along with a cover letter, or you may have to enter your details into a web form. Many job experts recommend that if you're given a choice, opt to use the provided form rather than uploading your resume. Often, the form feeds names and details directly into a database that the company will use when sending out invitations to applicants to attend group interviews and informational sessions scheduled around the country. 

Telephone Interviews for Flight Attendant Jobs 

Some airlines have recorded telephone interviews to screen out people applying for jobs as a flight attendant. You may find the telephone number in a recruitment ad in your newspaper, or get it through the reservations line for the airline you want to apply to. When you call, you'll hear a short description of the jobs that are available, and then you'll be asked to submit your name, address and contact information over the telephone and to answer several questions about situations that you might run up against in the job. Those recorded interviews will be reviewed by hiring managers, and those that do well on the questions will be invited for face-to-face interviews for jobs as a flight attendant. 

Airline Open House Interviews (and on Campus Recruitment) 

The most common way to begin the process when you're considering a job as a flight attendant is through an open house/interview held by an airline. Airlines often hold these when they're planning to start a new training class, or to open a home base in a new city. Usually, they're advertised in the job sections of the local newspaper a few days before the open house. On the day of the event, the recruiters will give a short presentation about what it's like to work as a flight attendant for their airline. When the presentation is finished, interested applicants will be invited to step up on stage and introduce themselves with a short explanation of their job history and qualifications. Those who seem best suited for the job will be discreetly asked to remain for one on one or small group interviews. 

Because the airlines hire far fewer people in jobs as flight attendants than the number who apply, they can afford to be choosy and hire only those that really catch the eye of the recruiter. That means, though, that you need to be persistent. Don't stop with one airline or one try. Apply to several different companies, and follow up on your resumes. There are far more jobs as flight attendants than you'd expect - you just have to keep looking for them.

Passing the CABIN CREW interview

Many people have e-mailed me and asked me a  bunch of questions. I will do my best to answer most of them, but please be advised that my blog is in continuous development and that I have a job ;)) I need to fly from time to time to pay my bills, food, extravagances and for the internet connexion that keeps me closer to you all. One of the most frequent (also most common) of them is how to pass the Cabin Crew interview. Over the time I tried to advise people on the "tips and tricks" to be used when participating at Open Days or Employer's Assessments. Depending on each person (and employer nonetheless) and the degree of trust they gave to my "expertise" and advices, some of them got in and, some of them are still trying and a few even lost hope, determination and decided to abandon the endeavor of Seeing the World from above. In what is to follow I will introduce you to some of the most important things you need to remember if you decide to take part at an Open Days session or to Apply online or even Mail your intention to HR departments of your dream's Company.

The cabin crew interview is often feared by many candidates and the one part of the selection process that they do not look forward to. However, if you want to become part of the cabin crew team you will need to stand out during the interview stage. Also many candidates believe that the interview signals the end of the entire selection process. Those that have made it this far have done very well as the majority of candidates are asked to leave after the teamwork exercises. It is only the select few that are asked to stay behind and undertake a interview. For many candidates the problem is that they either have not prepared for this stage or they relax because they did not expected to get so far

However, this is arguably the most critical time in your attempt to join your chosen airline. The reason that I say this, is due to the fact that at the interview stage it is the first time the recruitment staff will be able to spend some time with you on a one-on-one, face to face basis. Don't forget people! So far, you will have been assessed on your teamwork and other skills but now its just you and the recruitment staff. You should look at this as an opportunity to present yourself in such a way as to STAND OUT  from the other candidates. Everyone will be nervous at this point but if you have prepared for this, then you will definitely be fine. The question that arises, well how do I prepare for an interview. The key to this stage is trying to think of the questions you may be asked and preparing you responses.

Not all the questions you will prepare will come and not all will be asked in the way you want but by preparing you will be one step ahead of the rest. A typical question that the recruitment staff like to ask is: "The role of a cabin crew member requires the person to be away from home for long periods of time, how will this affect you and are you able to handle this?" The reason that they ask this type of question is not to catch you out but to find out if you have really thought about what the job requires from a candidate. They do not want to be in a position 3 or 4 months down the line where you have decided that you cannot deal with being away from home for that amount of time. A lot of candidates get caught up in the idea of joining their chosen airline and flying around the world without really considering what is means. The recruitment team will be looking for an answer that shows them you have thought about this point and you were mature enough to take this decision before showing up for selection. A good answer may include the point that you are used to being away from home for long periods of time and that this will not be a problem for you. Or maybe that you have children any have given this much thought and you have arranged someone to look after them while you are away. There is not such much a right or wrong answer but more an answer that shows you have considered this fact for your circumstances before endorsing your CV.

To be continued..

Smith out

Lesson no.1 DON'T FREAK! Keep cool!

Sometimes situations on board do not go as expected. A good day, a good flight may turn bad, everything may suddenly go wrong. Needless to say, it’s difficult to stay calm in such situations. We all tend to become confused, panic or even heated by anger (mostly!!!). That won’t help you much to get out of the situation though. Handling a bad situation in such condition  will just make it worse; you are more likely to make mistakes. That’s why it’s important to stay calm. By staying calm, you will be able to judge the situation wisely and take theappropriate actions all resulting in self control and self improvement ultimately. I am sure it's not just me, all of us tend to loose temper sometimes and you know what? It's normal, it's within our blood, it's human nature. But for a great deal of time now, humans have tried to evolve, evolute and progress. Why wouldn't we start by controlling out temper and attitude towards things, situations and other people nonetheless. When I firs joined the airline industry I was a teenager with the personality of a teenager and of course with the guts of the same. It was all right, however, in time I realized that listening more, smiling more and genuinely trying to understand the situation I was confronting with would help me more than taking blunt decisions, on the spot decisions, talking without thinking more. Like my grandpa use to say, a tailor should measure 10 times and cut just once ;)

But how do you stay calm when the situation goes bad? How do you calm your nerves while the world around you is falling down? I believe there are some simple things you can do. Here are a few tips ; pick theones that work for you and you'll see how it goes. You'll thank me later, I am sure!

• Take a deep breath.
• Do nothing for 5 minutes.
• Take a nap.
• Take a shower.
• Listen to comforting calm music (or if Hard Metal suites you...however I don't really think it helpes).
• Listen to natural sounds.
• Play music.
• Share to a positive friend.
• Meditate, think where you've gone wrong and don't just blame those around you.
• Ask “What’s the next action?” and focus on only that one thing.
• Go to nature (mountain, beach, desert, etc.).
• Ride a bike or cruise around with your car.
• Talk about other topics.
• Drink a bottle of water (not the 5lt one however).
• Play games (just for a while!).
• Go eat or have a coffee with someone who is not part of the situation.
• Exercise.
• Read spiritual texts.
• Listen to spiritual audio programs.
• Unplug the Internet.
• Say to yourself, “This situation is not as bad as it looks. Many people have handled situations worse than this successfully.”
• Be grateful for what you stillhave (instead of looking at what you don’thave).
• Be grateful for what you can learn from the situation.
• Take a walk around a park or do some window shopping.
• SMILE!!!!!

These things help you get past the bad situation only on thesurface. To "really" pass a bad situation one needs to have a deeper understanding of what caused it, what could he learn from it (”There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. William Shakespeare ~ Hamlet), how could he apply what he learns from it in other aspects of his life and/or in the future, et cetera.

I hope it helps, please subscribe to my newsletter and I promise I'll get back and update  you with great stuff!

Smith out! 

Ooops! No job openings????

Interviews are by appointment only. Apply on-line by clicking on the destination link below. Alternatively, forward your application via mail to; Emirates Airline, Emirates Cabin Crew Recruitment, P.O. BOX 34211, Dubai, U.A.E. 



The Emirates Cabin Crew Recruitment Team currently has no Global Assessment days scheduled at any international destination. However, please continue to check the website regularly and keep your application details updated.



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I have the feeling someone is in a bit o trouble....

Qatar Airways cabin crew careers

As all our Cabin Crew will testify, it is not just a job, but a way of life. Think you could manage a completely different challenge to the normality of a nine to five routine?

Our flights depart around the clock, you could find yourself flying off to Muscat at 7 o'clock in the morning, or to Kathmandu at 11 o'clock at night. We have got an excellent reputation to maintain, so we will ask you for total commitment and unfailing reliability.

Qatar Airways is one of only select few airlines in the world with a 5-star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry-monitoring agency. Our cabin crew has been voted "Best in the Middle East" for an unprecedented six years running and have been voted second best in the world".

Our award-winning airline, currently serves destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Far East and America with a modern fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Our success is due to the high-caliber of people we hire. Drawn from across the world and representing over eighty nationalities, we bring the best and brightest to our home in Doha, Qatar. From this cosmopolitan metropolis we deliver world-class training and facilities to serve over 80 destinations around the world.

While flying can be exciting and rewarding it also has its challenges. Jet-setting around the globe at high altitude through different time zones calls for individuals with resilience and who are committed to a high degree of personal fitness and well-being.

Hence, to continue our success we are looking for Cabin Crew who amplify these traits whilst exuding warmth, charisma and professionalism.

If you believe you have what it takes to be a part of this elite team:

Are you a wannabe? Feeling like joining Emirates? There you go!

Surfing around I realized that many people are interested in joining an airline, however, they didn't manage to find out any Insight reviews from actual cabin crew, or, if found these are vague and imprecise, people being to bored or lazy (why not) to actually give them explicit details. On this post I'll try to answer some of those questions and maybe to give those answers a positive, personal touch. I’ll try to give a detailed timetable of how you could get a job working for Emirates, but that is only based on my knowledge and my friends experiences. There are probably other ways to join the team, but I’ll explain the most common one, the one that applies to any wannabees out there. 

Ok, the first questions you ask yourself BEFORE joining ANY airline company, targeting a Cabin Crew/flight attendant job are :

• Is it really want I want to do?
• Am I able to spend hours straight with make-up, shoes and customers to please in an aircraft ?
• Will I be able to adapt and to live in a foreign country (especially in Arabia) or not ?
• Being on the move 24/7, regardless of holidays, birthdays, mother's day  bothers me ?
• Does a strict/standard driven atmosphere bores you already ?
• D you find complicated/ unacceptable to wear an uniform ?
• Always smiling doesn’t represent you ?
• You like working in a team ?
• You like meeting new people every day ?
• You like moving around ?
• You like the customer service industry ?
• You like satisfying others might it be colleagues or customers ?
• You like learning new cultures ?
• You speak TWO languages ?

Those aren’t the only questions but if the answer is yes to all of those, then you have the kind of profile most of airline companies are looking for.

Ok, so we’ve been through the first screening, or “self-screening”. Many screenings are to come in the future of your application with Emirates. The next step is to apply for an Open Day/Assessment Day with the airline. Those Open Days are regurlarly held in major cities where Emirates operates. Held around twice a year depending on the country, this can vary and I won’t be able to give you any information towards that. Now that you’re ok with the pros & cons of being a flight attendant / Stewardess / Cabin Crew you can start applying online.

Go to http://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com and look for the box in which a link is named “Register your interest here if there are no suitable vacancies”. Read the whole pages, they will give you basic information on working with them, living in Dubai etc etc. You’ll also have to comply with those requirements :

• Minimum age 21 years at the time of application.
• Minimum arm reach of 212 cms (on tip toes), which will enable you to reach emergency equipment on all aircraft types.
• Educated to at least high school standard.
• Medically fit to meet aircrew requirements.
• Fluent in written and spoken English (fluency in another language is an asset).
• Previous experience in the service/hospitality industry is an advantage.
• Finally, you will be the sort of person who has the natural ability to provide excellent service within a team environment.

Then click the given link (Click “register”), and you’ll be taken to the online application form… You’ll have to create a Cabin Crew Application that they’ll refer to until you are actually successful to join. Fill in every single thing they ask (red star next to a field means it is required information). It will take you quite some time. Never close the window until you’ve completed the whole form or you’re information won’t be saved.

After you’ve completed the form you’ll receive a automatic confirmation email with your reference number, password and what have you… The waiting begins here. Hold on because Emirates will take your patience to the limits, and that is just the beginning. If you fit in what they are looking for they will send you an invitation to a Open/Assessment Day nearest to your home. You’ll be given a date, time & place. Usually a conference center or hotel with conference rooms near a international airport.

For the Open Day you will need to bring along with you :

• Updated CV (Curriculum Vitae) > Now, on the CV, make it clear and un-cluttered, if you’ve had any previous customer service experience then this is a very good idea to have at the top of your resume. Remember, if you haven’t got any previous customer service experience it is not a problem, you’ll probably strike them with something else ! If they think they can train you in customer service they WILL DO IT !
• 6 Passport Size Photographs > business attire, neatly groomed, looking gorgeous, no scarfs, light make-up for women, non for men ! and most importantly SMILE (even french citizens should smile on those Passport photos). A genuine smile will make the difference when your file is in that pile.
• 2 Full Sized (10×15 cm) Photographs in Business Attire > Suit, white shirt, tie and shoes for men / Knee length skirt or dress with skin coloured stockings (no scarf) for women. Those photographs will be presented a round table of judges back in Dubai as per the recruitment officer I had, so keep SMILING, give the best of you !
• 2 casual Full Sized (10×15 cm) Photographs > those photos must be of you in a natural setting, casually dressed, not smoking nor drinking. Alone is best, if you haven’t got any alone, then ones where the recruitment officer can recognize you.
• Photocopy of your Passport
• Photocopies of School Certificates
• PENS and I’m not joking.

That’s all you’ll need to bring. Get ready for those days, as they’ll be testing your patience, nerves and your will of becoming a Cabin Crew.

2 or 3 days before the actual day, gather everything you need in a safe place, so you don’t have to run around and search for that piece of paper. Get your hair cut if needed. You’ll also need to know where you’ll be going on the day, where the hotel is situated, how long it takes to get there etc etc. You don’t want to arrive late ot not at all after all this prep !

On the day. Wake nice and early. EAT EAT EAT your breakfast ! Have a hella good shower, don’t forget to bring nibbles/sandwich with you and a bottle of any kind of soft you want : you’ll thank me later. Get ready for a very long day. Then jet off to the given location. I suggest you get there 30-45 minutes earlier (say 8.30 am) in order to get in line with the first attendees. You’ll then be in the first group and will be able to leave earlier that day…etc…

If you haven’t had your coffee yet, it’s time. Mind you 4 star hotels aren’t cheap, and that’s where the Open Day will be held. You’ll notice when you have that expensive coffee that you’re not the only one attending the Open Day. Many people tend to show up, like the day I was there, 215 showed up. That is why you need to get in early. Get to know the people around you, make contact. Stay polite though. They will be the only people you’ll see for the next three days if you’re successfull in every stage (I’m gonna break them down in the next paragraph), and possibly some of them will become your colleagues in Dubai !

The Day begins at 9.00 am sharp, very really earlier than that (there have been occasions in Europe)  :

1. They will call everyone in the conference room to drop CV/resume & photos. Remember as you’re doing that to smile and be polite, answer the recruitment officer looking in the eyes etc etc, give a good first impression. Be organised with your papers. Say thank you. Take a seat and wait till everyone as given theirs.
2. The 2 recruitment officers will then give you an introduction to the company and on how the day will go on, show a video and then proceed to a first screening of your resume & height reach (212 cm on tip-toes without shoes). You will have approximately 2 minutes to convince them. She will call your number and will watch your allure as you walk to him/her. He/she will ask you a quick question on something that interests them in your CV, why you speak such and such language and maybe something about customer service. This is where your ability to speak english will be tested, your genuine smile will make the difference and your general attitude will strike. Take it easy, do not stress, there is no need at this point. Answer quickly, ask to repeat if you need to. Be short, specific and open. Keep looking at the person when he/she speaks, make sure she knows you’re listenning. Don’t over do it. Say thank you when she says she’s done with you. Go back to your seat. and then wait, and wait more… until the officers have finished screening everyone.
3. Everyone will be invited to leave the room for the officer to pick out the successfull ones. You’ll then be all invited back in for the results. You’ll either get a “Congratulations, you have successfully passed this stage of the….” or a “We regret we cannot…”. This will be the procedure between each screening or assessment.
4. The successfull ones will be invited back into the conference room for an other screening. This time depending on the number of applicants, you may be divided into two groups. They will invite you to fill in a PF16 or Personality Test. This is basically a test to sum up your personality (it has no impact on your success of the screening. You’ll then be invited to pass and english test. Now this test will be decisive. You’ll be given 45 minutes to complete it. It will be an understanding and essay type of test. Nothing too complicated, but requires quite a decent level in English to complete.
5. You’ll then get the usual Congrats / Regrets procedure…
6. If you’re successful you’ll be invited to the assessment groups. You’ll be given a group number in which you’ll have to evolve within a group discussion on a given topic/situation. The aim here is to see if you’re likely to develop and react well in a group/team. There’s no right or wrong answers, you only have to dose your contribution to the group in a good way, politely with confidence and without interupting your colleagues. Reacting to their opinions and balancing with your… Recap, recentre the discussion if necessary, you and your team will have to focus on the objective given by the recruitment officer. She will taken notes during the whole process and she will then ask if you have all agreed on the situation/topic and will invite you to wait outside while she takes a decision.
7. You’ll go through the”congrats/regrets” part again.
8. After that if you’re successfull, you’ll be invited the following days for a private 2-to-1 or one2one Final Interview with the recruitment officers where they will ask you multiple questions about previous work experience and hobbies etc etc. The usual basic interview. They will also put you into situations like “what was the worst customer you had to wait at your restaurant” for example.
9. That is the last hurdle in the Open Day. More waiting is to come. You’ll be notified by email if you have not succeeded or by phone if you’ve passed.

By That time it’s nearly bed time or even more.

Once you get your Phone Call (4-6 weeks later) saying you successfully passed your final interview, she will send you details on the medical handbook you’ll have to provide prior to joining, the date you supposed to be flying in Dubai and the Contract. Yes because you’re not technically hired until you pass the medicals. So you’ll have quite an extensive list of medical stuff to do :

1. HIV report
2. Haemoglobin Count
3. A Detailed Chest X Ray report about heart and lungs.
4. Audiogram report & graph (graph is very important for approval of such)
5. Cervical smear test report (for females only – if applicable)
6. Dental certificate
7. Vaccination certificate with the initial course date.
8. Eye test: we require you to do an eye test whether you are wearing glasses/contact lenses or not

You’ll have to scan and send those medicals via email as soon as you have completed them. And guess what, it’s not over ! You’ll also have to scan & send the signed contract, yours & your relatives passports, birth certificates.

After that you’ll get another call saying you passed the medicals and ready to join.

After receiving the Final Approval call, you’ll be notified by email of the date & time of you leaving flight to Dubai. Emirates wont cover the costs of transportation from your home to the designated ALD airport (ALD “annual leave destination”, the destination you’re entitled to for 1 annual free ticket). You’ll also have to scan and email your “Letter of acceptance of resignation” from your present employer or notify by email Emirates if you’re unemployed.

On joining Emirates (joining starts the day you leave for Dubai with e-Ticket & visa), you will have to give a list of documents listed below 

• Passport & Entry Permit (With date of arrival & stamp on it)
• Original Medical & Dental reports with X-rays
• 20 passport size photographs with blue background (polaroïd & digital not accepted)
• 4 photographs (size 3′x3.5′) without spectacles nor headgear (GCAA requirement)
• Original & one set of photocopies of educational/professional qualification certificates for verification purposes only
• Documentary evidence in English :
  - Copies of Passport & Birth certificates from your parents, spouse, brothers and sisters or other benificiaries (if unable to submit those when joining you have the option to hand them in to the HR office within 3 months after joining).

This e-mail came on to my friend within the last week before his departure. You should send them your Letter Of Resignation from your employer. And generally a few days later you’ll get your e-Ticket and Visa. They will be sent by mail so watch your inbox. Once that received you’ll have to confirm you have received them, a simple email will be enough.