Tips to Help You in Your PAL Cabin Crew Interview

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is indeed the most sought-after airline for the majority of Filipino cabin crew aspirants. More than the prestige of being known as a PAL cabin crew, you are also well taken care of, well compensated (above industry-standard pay), offered a great working environment, and personal growth opportunities. While there is no perfect airline, I personally recommend Filipino cabin crew aspirants to really go for PAL. However, getting in is not easy, hence, here are some tips to help you in your PAL cabin crew interview.

Before I begin, I am sure some of the readers here will start saying “mataas masyado ang standards” and so forth. Let me tell you this: There will be standards everywhere you go. You cannot expect these standards to adjust to you. It’s either you raise your standards and go for it, or someone else will. The choice is yours. PAL and other airlines will never lower their standards to accommodate those who cannot reach the set standards. But winners who constantly strive and work hard to surpass the standards will make it. The good news is, you have a choice. Never forget that the best fruits on the tree are those at the top, which get the most sunshine. If you want to get the best, then you have to climb for it. Or, you can just wait for the rotten ones to fall so you can easily reach them with no effort at all.

What Does PAL Look For?

First and foremost, PAL is looking for cabin crew aspirants who are really there for the job and ready to fulfill the role of a PAL cabin crew. This includes ensuring the safety and security of passengers primarily, being ready to attend to the needs of passengers, and ensuring each passenger enjoys a comfortable and memorable flight.

They do not want those who are too focused on the benefits such as traveling the world for free, social media attention, wearing the PAL uniform, and the compensation. PAL wants cabin crew aspirants who find passion in serving others. They are looking for individuals with integrity, who can be trusted, and who have a genuine concern for others.

PAL also wants selfless individuals who strive for excellence, are teachable, and always open to new learnings. They basically want cabin crew aspirants who can also represent the PAL brand very well. One has to be a total package. It’s not always about physical attributes, but how one can really fulfill the role of a PAL cabin crew.

It is important to know these to set your expectations. At the end of the day, PAL is hiring you as a cabin crew to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of their passengers. You also have to be able to represent the brand very well.

Tips and Advice to Help You in PAL Cabin Crew Recruitment

• Declare all necessary information. Do not conceal previous job experiences. This is common among those with records of AWOL from their previous companies; they fail to declare them. Let me tell you that airlines have ways of discovering this, if not during the interview, then later on. Your SSS, Philhealth, and other mandatory government records will reveal if you have worked for any companies that you did not declare on your resume and application form. As such, you can be terminated if caught, on the grounds of misrepresentation.
• Preparation is key. First, prepare yourself and get in the mindset that your recruitment day will be fantastic! Ensure you get enough sleep, prepare your clothes, take care of your grooming like getting a haircut, and so on. Prepare your necessary requirements. There are times that PAL might ask you to bring a printed copy of your resume and other documents, so prepare those the night before.
• Practice answering interview questions. The PAL recruitment process is multi-stage and may change over time. I cannot give you the specifics here as these may change, and you might be caught off-guard. Thus, one of the best ways to prepare is to practice answering interview questions in front of a mirror or with someone else. I have a set of 100 mock questions available here.
• PAL recruiters may ask you random questions. Some may be situational, some about your personal goals, some about your previous job, and anything else seen in your resume. What are they looking for here? They assess your character, comprehension, thinking abilities, listening skills, communication skills, and integrity. Be honest. PAL recruiters know if you are being deceptive or genuine.
• Consistently smile and maintain a happy disposition throughout the recruitment process. Remember, a cabin crew’s smile is part of the uniform. Keep your smile genuine and natural. Smile when greeting your recruiters, fellow applicants, the staff in the area, and everyone you see, even the security guards. This will be a big help during your PAL cabin crew interview. You’ll thank me later for this reminder.
• When being interviewed, PAL cabin crew recruiters also pay attention to what you say. So please, avoid being inarticulate. You must also make sense when you speak. It’s not just about talking; it’s about communicating well and clearly. Your English doesn’t have to be perfect, but clarity is crucial. Why? One of your duties is to explain safety equipment and procedures to passengers, so you must be understood clearly.
• In group interviews, avoid interrupting others. Passengers do not appreciate being interrupted while speaking. It’s not only impolite to interrupt someone before they have finished talking, but it’s also rude and shows disrespect. Let the person speaking finish before you speak. Listen and pay attention to the speaker before responding. Airlines like PAL conduct group interviews to see how well you work in a team, as being a good team player is essential for a cabin crew.
• Following instructions is critical for PAL cabin crew recruiters, especially when you start flying, particularly when pilots and your flight pursers need to brief you for safety reasons. Hence, do not disregard instructions. Listen carefully to the recruiters’ instructions during interviews. You can ask questions if something is unclear, but follow all instructions.
• You are being observed from the moment you enter the recruitment venue. Smile at everyone, greet every person you meet, and engage with those around you. PAL recruiters want to see the real you, so they observe you even when you’re not being interviewed to determine if you are just putting your best foot forward. Your sitting posture, how you talk to others, whether you greet everyone, etc., are all noted. Dispose of your trash properly and do not leave litter around.
• Look good, feel good. Ensure your clothes are ironed, freshen up upon arriving at the interview venue especially if you took public transportation, touch up your makeup, and feel fresh.
• Have a strong purpose for wanting to become a cabin crew. I’ve already mentioned what PAL looks for in cabin crew aspirants, so make sure you have a compelling reason.
• When answering the question “tell me more about yourself,” share something unique about yourself that’s not in your resume. It could be a personal attribute, a hobby, an extracurricular activity, something unique about you, an interest, or a new learning. Your recruiters want to know more about you beyond what’s on your resume.
• Maintain your confidence throughout the interview. Be confident but not arrogant. Be humble but not overly modest. PAL recruiters do not appreciate arrogance; it’s an immediate rejection. If you come from another airline, especially a foreign one, don’t be overly confident or assertive. Working for a 5-star airline or the world’s best airline doesn’t guarantee acceptance. You still have to prove yourself, and being arrogant is a significant turn-off.

Last but not least, always remember that PAL cabin crew recruiters observe you from many angles, but mostly from the perspective of a passenger. As cabin crew, you will be the ones facing the passengers most of the time, not the ground crew or the pilots. So, you cannot come across as too intimidating or as a push-over. Remember, you are still in the customer service industry, hence, it is expected that you can provide great customer service while always ensuring that safety is paramount. In aviation, safety is non-negotiable, and airlines will never compromise safety for comfort, even if passengers demand comfort over safety.

I hope these tips will help you in your next PAL cabin crew recruitment and interview! At the end of the day, everything will depend on you. Also, do not forget that making it to become a PAL cabin crew is not the end goal. More than that, it is being able to bring buong pusong alaga to every passenger in each and every flight once you begin flying as a PAL cabin crew.