The average mortality rate among cabin crew applicants worldwide is 90%, which means that only less than 10% make the cabin crew recruitment or interview day for various reasons. Yes, just getting through the cabin crew interview and assessment day is a huge challenge due to the stringent and high standards that the airlines impose. As a result, here are some pieces of advice to help you succeed in your cabin crew walk-in interview recruitment day.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been able to attend cabin crew graduations for several local airlines. I also had the opportunity to speak with and interview flight attendant trainers and airline managers. I once wondered why so many people don’t get in despite the recent high demand for more cabin crew. Based on our discussion, here are some pointers and advice to help you succeed at your cabin crew walk-in interview.
Arrive an hour before your scheduled interview time.
You not only have time to fix up, but recruiters are already taking notice of you. They like it when you arrive early because it shows how much you want to be a cabin crew.
Make sure you prepare for the walk-in interview before you go.
Before you even show up for your interview, make sure you meet the airline’s requirements. Correct BMI, correct height, a good set of teeth, a proper weight-to-height ratio, and any other requirements specified by the airline. Please bring all necessary requirements, such as a complete CV.
Early planning is essential to avoid missing out on anything. Have you checked the necessary documents? Have you examined your face for pimples or visible marks? Have you weighed yourself? If you are still overweight, it is never too late to lose a few pounds. It may take a lot of work, but it is well worth it. Did you practice answering mock questions like the ones we have here in front of someone or in front of a mirror? Always remember that poor preparation was the cause of battle losses.
Always maintain a positive attitude and smile.
Your recruiters are already watching you as soon as you walk into the venue. Greet everyone and anyone you see with a smile and enthusiasm, just like a flight attendant. Maintain your positive attitude and smile throughout the day.
When you begin speaking, be both confident and humble.
Do not come across as arrogant, but also do not come across as timid. For airline recruiters, this is a no-no. Be confident while remaining humble about yourself.
Always keep in mind that recruiters will most likely ask you to tell them more about yourself.
Some may set a time limit, while others may not. When answering this question, keep in mind that they only want to know two things from you. They want to get to know you better and determine whether you will be a valuable asset to the airline as a flight attendant. That’s pretty much it. There’s no need to write an entire novel about your family. It’s fine to talk about your family to provide some context for how you were raised, but there’s no need to share your father’s favorite NBA team, your mother’s favorite hobby, your brother’s favorite color, or your sister’s most embarrassing moment. This question is about you and how you can contribute to the team.
When answering questions, remember the K.I.S.S. principle.
K.I.S.S. stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid. Avoid wasting time by going straight to the point. Recruiters don’t have time to guess any underlying answers, so you’re better off answering directly.
Recruiters will be watching everything you do inside the venue.
They notice if you arrange the seats after using them, if you pick up trash on the floor and throw it away even if it is not yours, if you interact with other applicants, and if you smile all the time, even if you are tired. They want to see that you maintain your enthusiasm throughout.
Make direct eye contact with your recruiters.
Look neither up nor down. Keep unnecessary hand movements and gestures to a minimum. It is acceptable to move your hand slightly, especially when emphasizing an important point.
Take note of these when dealing with group dynamics.
If you come across a group dynamics activity, keep in mind that airline recruiters include it in the screening process for two reasons:
- To observe how you work in a group.
- To assess your interpersonal abilities
Group dynamics activities vary by airline, but make sure you participate well while not trying to be too dominant or “ma-epal.” Do not be the polar opposite by remaining silent all the time. Communicate with your group members, participate in the activity, be a good listener, and understand when it is about “I” or “us.”
Stand up tall and sit up straight.
Slouching should be avoided. It is preferable for females to stand straight with their hands clasped in front of them. Men should stand up straight but not stiffly. Here are some tips for standing up and projecting yourself during an impact interview.
Dress to succeed.
Before your cabin crew walk-in interview, check that your corporate attire is neatly pressed with no smudges, that your shoes are clean, that your hair is properly tied or bunned, and that your clothes fit you well.
Becoming a cabin crew is not really for everyone
Are you certain about your decision to become a cabin crew? If you are unsure, you should first assess whether you are prepared for the tasks at hand.
A cabin crew’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of passengers on board, followed by providing comfort, service, and hospitality for a memorable flying experience. When examining yourself, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I ready to prioritize the lives of other passengers over my own in an emergency?
- Is it possible for me to deal with a hundred different personalities every day, where one can be very nice and then the exact opposite?
- Are you willing to clean the aircraft toilets if passengers leave them dirty?
- Is it my willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty to serve passengers such as hand/spoon feeding those who cannot feed themselves, comforting a crying passenger who has lost a loved one, and assisting a passenger giving birth on board, especially when there are no doctors on board?
- Am I prepared to be responsible for the safety and security of passengers on board, including but not limited to performing CPR on those who become unconscious on board and controlling any unruly behavior that may cause discomfort and pose a risk to other passengers?
- Is it possible for me to go through the rigorous training process, where I will have to completely focus on studying while sacrificing time with family, leisure, and other extracurricular activities for the next few months?
- Is it possible for me to work on shifting schedules where I may miss important activities such as family reunions and special holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s?
I hope all of these pointers and tips help you with your next or upcoming cabin crew walk-in interview! Good luck, and I hope to see you on board!
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
