Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. – Leonardo da Vinci
March 1, 2017 (DAY 1,883)
Job interviews can be some of the most stressful situations, however, with proper preparation and coaching you can learn to anticipate and even flip the interview in your favor. This topic and entry is SPECIFICALLY written for non-native English speakers applying with airlines around the world. While every industry has a unique aspect to their business, aviation is certainly an ever-changing specialized field that spans the globe and has very specific needs for their customers and qualifications for crew members. Throughout my years of consulting, I have chosen to put together a WORKING list of relatively common questions and answers for the aviation industry. If you have any additional questions, comments, or feedback please write a comment below.
Job interviews can be some of the most stressful situations, however, with proper preparation and coaching you can learn to anticipate and even flip the interview in your favor. This topic and entry is SPECIFICALLY written for non-native English speakers applying with airlines around the world. While every industry has a unique aspect to their business, aviation is certainly an ever-changing specialized field that spans the globe and has very specific needs for their customers and qualifications for crew members. Throughout my years of consulting, I have chosen to put together a WORKING list of relatively common questions and answers for the aviation industry. If you have any additional questions, comments, or feedback please write a comment below.
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR THE INTERVIEW
➥ K.I.S. = Keep It Simple
➥ ALWAYS be honest in your answers, EVEN if your answer is "I'm not sure" OR "I don't know"
➥ DO NOT RAMBLE = This is a discipline, you must learn when to STOP speaking
➥ Keep your answers SHORT and CONCISE
➥ Practice ACTIVE listening. Often when I would interview someone, I would begin with a question and I knew EXACTLY what the person being interviewed would do, which is begin formulating their answering in their head, and STOP listening to me. I did this on purpose to see how well they could remember my question, while also continue to stay focused, since working in a fast-paced and often high-stress industry you must be very flexible and adaptable to a variety of tasks whether urgent or not.
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➥ ALWAYS be honest in your answers, EVEN if your answer is "I'm not sure" OR "I don't know"
➥ DO NOT RAMBLE = This is a discipline, you must learn when to STOP speaking
➥ Keep your answers SHORT and CONCISE
➥ Practice ACTIVE listening. Often when I would interview someone, I would begin with a question and I knew EXACTLY what the person being interviewed would do, which is begin formulating their answering in their head, and STOP listening to me. I did this on purpose to see how well they could remember my question, while also continue to stay focused, since working in a fast-paced and often high-stress industry you must be very flexible and adaptable to a variety of tasks whether urgent or not.
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1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
Your response should focus on the important elements in your background which will enable you to excel in the job for which you are interviewing. Your introduction should be short and clean enough to hold the person’s interest. Usually, a quick summary of your most important qualifications will suffice. You could also mention a couple things which are not vital to the job, but comprise the person you are such as the hobbies you have. The goal here is connect on a personal level with that person, as well as to show that you are qualified for the job and you would make a great hire.
*AREAS TO AVOID:
➥ Keep ALL personal information out of your introduction
*AREAS TO AVOID:
➥ Keep ALL personal information out of your introduction
2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK WITH X AIRLINE?
This is an area that you MUST DO YOUR RESEARCH about the airline you want to work for. Some areas to note should be: Who the company CEO is? What is the companies mission statement? Any recent news about this airline?
Intention: Understanding of the overview of the company by demonstrating how badly you want THIS job and HOW prepared you are with your amount of research and consideration you have prepared. *Provide the basics of what you know. DO NOT speculate, stick to facts.
Intention: Understanding of the overview of the company by demonstrating how badly you want THIS job and HOW prepared you are with your amount of research and consideration you have prepared. *Provide the basics of what you know. DO NOT speculate, stick to facts.
3. WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A FLIGHT ATTENDANT?
First, what do you think the primary role of a flight attendants job responsibilities are? Customer service AND passenger safety! Therefore, this is an extremely common question in cabin crew interviews for obvious reason. Think carefully about the answer to this question, and try to concentrate on all of the positive aspects of being a flight attendant. If you have experience in various sectors , point out why you would like to change. Insist on the positive aspects (leadership , teamwork …), etc.
4. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST AREA OF WEAKNESS?
➥ Many experienced and professional interviewers have learned that many interviewees will try to answer this question by using a reverse-positive, for example stating how you can work too hard. A better way of answering this may be stating how sometimes you focus too much on one area of your job, BUT you've learned how to manage your time more effectively and provide a clear example.
Intention: evaluating potential risks and how you demonstrate self-awareness
TIPS TO AVOID:
➥ Refusing to answer the question (or remaining silent, meaning unable to think of an answer)
➥ Raising red flags: for example I had a former client that stated his biggest weakness was having a very bad temper! Whoa, I told him I love the honesty, however, you need to think of something that will be keep you from being a liability to a company, as you can learn to control your temper AND should.
Intention: evaluating potential risks and how you demonstrate self-awareness
TIPS TO AVOID:
➥ Refusing to answer the question (or remaining silent, meaning unable to think of an answer)
➥ Raising red flags: for example I had a former client that stated his biggest weakness was having a very bad temper! Whoa, I told him I love the honesty, however, you need to think of something that will be keep you from being a liability to a company, as you can learn to control your temper AND should.
5. WHAT STRENGTHS DO YOU FEEL YOU POSSESS?
When answering this question you are once again SELLING YOURSELF AND ABILITIES, therefore using powerful keywords such as; having an excellent work ethic, strong attention to details, a friendly professional demeanor, the ability to strive both working independently and within a team, etc. Once you select two or three of these areas YOU MUST provide an example in demonstrating the use of them.
6. WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE PRIMARY ROLES (GENERAL DUTIES) OF A FLIGHT ATTENDANT (CABIN CREW MEMBER)?
➥ Passenger safety is the TOP PRIORITY
➥ Attend preflight briefings on details of the flight
➥ Ensure adequate supplies of refreshments and emergency equipment are on board
➥ Demonstrate the use of emergency equipment
➥ Ensure that all passengers fasten their seat belts (safety belts)
➥ Serve, and sometimes sell, beverages meals, or snacks
➥ Take care of passengers' needs and/or requests
➥ Assist passengers with special needs
➥ Reassure passengers during the flights, such as when the aircraft hits turbulence
Administer first aid to passengers, when necessary
➥ Be aware of any suspicious activity that may result in passenger or crew safety
➥ Direct passengers in case of an emergency
➥ Attend preflight briefings on details of the flight
➥ Ensure adequate supplies of refreshments and emergency equipment are on board
➥ Demonstrate the use of emergency equipment
➥ Ensure that all passengers fasten their seat belts (safety belts)
➥ Serve, and sometimes sell, beverages meals, or snacks
➥ Take care of passengers' needs and/or requests
➥ Assist passengers with special needs
➥ Reassure passengers during the flights, such as when the aircraft hits turbulence
Administer first aid to passengers, when necessary
➥ Be aware of any suspicious activity that may result in passenger or crew safety
➥ Direct passengers in case of an emergency
7. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5-YEARS?
The reason behind the question isn’t to test your precognitive abilities but rather to see how well your answer lines up with the company’s long term goals by understanding your ambition and future goals.
You must keep in mind you are interviewing you for a job right now, even during this question, not a job in the future, so why would they want to hear you wanting to do any job but the one you’re going for right now? Rather than demonstrating your ambition and drive for future positions such as a Chief Purser or something else, hiring managers wants to see you demonstrate your level of commitment to the job you’re interviewing at the moment.
You must keep in mind you are interviewing you for a job right now, even during this question, not a job in the future, so why would they want to hear you wanting to do any job but the one you’re going for right now? Rather than demonstrating your ambition and drive for future positions such as a Chief Purser or something else, hiring managers wants to see you demonstrate your level of commitment to the job you’re interviewing at the moment.
8. TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU MADE A MISTAKE.
Think of something that can be a situation or scenario directly related to a passenger or coworker, and provide a clear chronological order of what happened? How the mistake was recognized? And most importantly what you learned from this mistake so that HOPEFULLY in the future this will not happen again.
Intention: No one wins all the time, so discuss in detail what the failure or mistake was? What you learned? And, how you handle any potential future similar situations, by what you would do differently and/or any potential fallout?)
Intention: No one wins all the time, so discuss in detail what the failure or mistake was? What you learned? And, how you handle any potential future similar situations, by what you would do differently and/or any potential fallout?)
9. HOW DO YOU HANDLE CONFLICT (STRESSFUL SITUATIONS)?
I've created a very simple formula that can be used for almost EVERY situation:
#1. I TRY to remain calm. (doing so helps others remain clam, even if someone is yelling in your face)
#2. Ievaluate the ENTIRE situation (you need all of the facts in order to make the best and most accurate decision)
#3. Finally, I assess the level of priority and actions that need to be taken or delegated to others. (*remember sometimes taking action, means doing nothing)
Once you've verbally given your simple three-step formula you MUST provide an example that demonstrates using ALL THREE areas of conflict and/or a stressful situation.
#1. I TRY to remain calm. (doing so helps others remain clam, even if someone is yelling in your face)
#2. Ievaluate the ENTIRE situation (you need all of the facts in order to make the best and most accurate decision)
#3. Finally, I assess the level of priority and actions that need to be taken or delegated to others. (*remember sometimes taking action, means doing nothing)
Once you've verbally given your simple three-step formula you MUST provide an example that demonstrates using ALL THREE areas of conflict and/or a stressful situation.
10. HOW DO YOU RELIEVE STRESS?
Answering this question needs to be in terms of both away from work AND while working. I know many clients have said to relieve stress they like to go swimming or jogging, but when I mention how would you do this on an airplane, they very quickly realize they must have an answer that will fit this environment AND not take away from their job responsibilities.
Intention: Valid understanding that you can maintain a strong; physical, emotional, and mental stability. Provide clear points and reasons to support.
Intention: Valid understanding that you can maintain a strong; physical, emotional, and mental stability. Provide clear points and reasons to support.
**MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS COMING SOON**
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