What to Prepare For Your Next Flight Attendant Recruitment Day

If you’ve been following my posts and the latest aviation news, you may have noticed that airlines are placing more aircraft orders now than ever. This surge in fleet expansion is also why airlines are staging a lot of flight attendant recruitment days. But keep in mind, getting into an airline is extremely competitive. For just a few available slots, thousands of cabin crew aspirants apply. The attrition rate is high, even before you get to training and the actual flying. That’s why it’s crucial to thoroughly prepare for your upcoming flight attendant recruitment day.

Let me share what you need to prepare for the flight attendant recruitment day. However, this isn’t just about recruitment; your mindset and purpose in becoming a cabin crew member will definitely impact how you answer interview questions.

Prepare for the Job Itself

The most important aspect to prepare for is the actual job of a flight attendant. First and foremost, you need to understand the realities of the job. While social media may paint it as glamorous, it often isn’t. You’ll find yourself getting your hands dirty. Your primary job is to ensure the safety and security of the passengers, which revolves around providing service. Airlines will not hire you if your reason for becoming a cabin crew member is “to travel the world” because this could give the impression that you’re not ready to work.

You must be prepared for the possibility of responding to actual emergencies, which I hope never happen, but you need to be ready just in case. You also need to make sure your passengers are comfortable. Not all passengers are pleasant; you’ll encounter difficult ones, and sometimes even unruly ones. Some passengers may not know what a sickness bag is, while others may leave the lavatory messy. You need to be prepared to handle and manage such situations. Additionally, you must ensure everything in the cabin is orderly and neat once the doors are closed.

Being a flight attendant is not for those who complain about small inconveniences. It takes courage and resilience to stay in this role. There is no room for those who cannot handle stress or adversity.

In summary, you need to fully understand what being a flight attendant entails and be ready to take on those responsibilities. You must embrace the role of serving others. If this is truly the job you want, answering the question “Why do you want to become a flight attendant?” will be much easier.

The Long Recruitment and Competitive Process

As I’ve mentioned before, the standards for becoming a flight attendant are high, and the process is highly competitive. Why? Airlines can only accommodate a limited number of applicants based on their operational requirements. Being overstaffed can lead to significant financial losses. However, with thousands of people aspiring to become flight attendants, airlines simply cannot hire everyone, no matter how qualified they may seem.

As a result, airlines must choose the best of the best among all the applicants. With the rise of social media and the easy availability of information online, cabin crew aspirants have also “upped” their game. Therefore, it’s crucial to raise your own standards to surpass those set by the airline.

The selection process is long and rigorous, designed to ensure the airline selects the right candidates. It can be very tedious and tiring as every applicant is given a chance to present themselves. There are various stages, including physical checks, initial interviews, group dynamics, panel interviews, and impact interviews, among others. Throughout all these stages, you need to maintain your confidence, grooming, and enthusiasm, no matter how tired you get.

The Training Itself

Cabin crew training is challenging and rigorous due to the responsibilities that come with the role. Airlines ensure that you are fully prepared before you begin flying. Although training is not the culmination of your cabin crew journey, and earning your wings should not be your ultimate goal, it is still an essential part to prepare for. You may encounter sleepless nights, miss important occasions, and even have to put your love life on hold temporarily.

You will need to memorize a lot of details, sometimes even beyond aviation. For example, you’ll be taught to assess passengers as they board the aircraft, identifying those who might be ill or potentially problematic. These little things are all part of the training.

Also, always remember to disclose everything during the recruitment process. Do not hide any information because airlines have ways of checking your records, including whether you have any AWOL (Absent Without Leave) records.

This is a general rundown of what you need to prepare for your upcoming flight attendant recruitment day. The most important aspect is understanding the job itself because your reasons for becoming a cabin crew member will influence what you say during the interview. Always remember that airlines are looking for candidates who are committed to the job itself, not just the benefits.