What To Expect In A Flight Attendant Job Interview

Companies that hire flight attendants need quite a few things in order to see if you are right for the job. For example, they need to know that you are physically capable of working on their planes, and they also want to know how well you can handle speaking with passengers while they're busy or upset. The interview process varies by company, but here is what to expect in most interviews.

Many flight attendants start as part of the airline's ground crew before moving up into this high-altitude career field. Here is what it takes to become a highly-paid member of air travel's exclusive club: experience, education and personality traits.

Experience

Aspiring flight attendants need at least one year of experience in customer service jobs, such as waitressing or retail work. This experience is especially important because flight attendants are there to help passengers, and employers want to make sure applicants will be up for that challenge. Hospitality-type jobs help flight attendants learn how to handle customers' questions and complaints in a professional way. The job of a flight attendant is demanding, since working multi-hour flights means that attendants have to stay on their feet during the entire trip. An airline will consider applicants who have worked with children or the elderly since both groups represent some of the most common passengers on flights.

Education

Employers want job applicants who are ready to work on a flight. Passengers can become agitated and hostile if they're delayed or need special attention, so they need flight attendants who can handle these situations. Airlines will only consider applicants with training in first aid and CPR since they have a responsibility to keep passengers safe. Flight attendants must be ready for any emergency situation that might occur and some airlines may even require applicants to take tests related to swift action during an emergency. Applicants should also have training in customer service, as well as how to interact with the public in general.

Personality Traits

Applicants must show that they're good at working on a team and are easy to get along with. Passengers can be in a foul mood if they're stuck on a flight, but air travel is generally a pleasant experience. Airlines want applicants who can keep passengers calm and happy, which means they have to have good communication skills including the ability to speak well and listen carefully. Employees who are assertive can handle stressful situations better than employees who are timid or reluctant; this quality is also important since flight attendants need to take charge during emergencies or other tough situations. Applicants also need to be motivated enough to stay on their feet all day long, sometimes in positions that are uncomfortable or even dangerous. Airlines want applicants who can thrive in this environment and make their passengers feel welcome and safe. Good communication skills and the ability to keep calm will help applicants stand out from other applicants.

Formal Interviews

Although an airline's formal interview is not required for all applicants, most companies conduct such a process because it can double as a screening test. Sometimes airlines use the interview process to see if an applicant has any special qualifications, such as having another job within the airline industry or experience operating large aircraft. Airlines want to know whether applicants are honest and reliable, which means they should make sure they feel comfortable talking with them during the interview. It also can help to see whether applicants understand what their duties will be as flight attendants.

In-Person Interviews

Once an applicant has been chosen out of the crowd by an airline, it will schedule an in-person interview for the chosen candidate. Job candidates can expect that this process will include a tour of the airline's facilities, a meeting with human resources representatives and possibly a tour inside one of the plane's cabins if applicants are chosen for this position. They may also need to pass their current employer's background check before they can be scheduled for this interview.

Flight Attendant Interview Questions

Applicants should expect to encounter several types of questions during an airline interview. One of the first questions they will be asked is why they would like to work as a flight attendant. Other common questions include:

What kind of customer service experience do you have? (Be specific.)

Why do you want to work for an airline? (Be specific.)

How did you choose this career and how long have you been doing it? (This question is designed to test whether the applicant has enough experience in customer service jobs and that they are committed to this line of work. Applicants should be ready with a detailed answer to this question.)

What is your biggest challenge, if you have one? (This question is designed to test the applicant's particular challenges and how they might handle them as a flight attendant. If the applicant responds that they're having difficulty with any particular customer, the interviewer might ask if it would be manageable for an airline flight.)

What is your biggest strength? (This question helps employers determine whether the candidate has a solid work ethic or real positive characteristics.)

How much time off are you able to take from work? (Applicants need to know that airlines can call upon them at any time and all employees must be able to travel for their job. A few airlines may require applicants to be available during certain times of the year, so they need to know this in advance.)

What would you do if there were a fire onboard? (This question is designed to test whether the applicant has basic first aid training and also how well they can communicate with passengers who are in distress.)

What would you do if you had an allergic reaction? (This question is designed to test whether the applicant has basic first aid training and can handle possible emergencies.)

How would you react if a passenger threw up on your flight? (Applicants need to be ready for this question and should have a solid answer ready because many job applicants don't know how to handle such an event. If possible, the applicant should bring a tissue or napkin to use as a substitute if necessary.)

What would you do if someone fell or was injured on board? (Applicants should be ready with a detailed answer to this question and have details about first aid training. A few applications may need to be approved by human resources, so they want to make sure applicants are physically and emotionally prepared for this type of situation.)

How would you handle a passenger who is drunk or behaved in an inappropriate manner? (Applicants should know what airlines require them to do in such situations and they need to know that employers expect them to enforce safety regulations. Available options include whether or not to eject the passenger from the flight, as well as dealing with such people in a non-confrontational manner.)

What is your favorite type of food and beverage? (This question is designed to determine if the applicant has a sense of humor and that they can handle stressful situations such as having to deal with an upset customer.)

What do you like most about this job? (Applicants should have plenty of details about what they enjoy about work, such as standing on their feet all day long or being friendly with customers. Keep in mind that if there are other applicants being interviewed at the same time, they want to see if there are any unique aspects of the applicant's personality.

Conclusion

Airlines have strict standards when it comes to hiring flight attendants. Applicants should have strong communication skills, be able to handle stressful situations and have past experience working in customer service. Potential flight attendants should be ready with several examples of their customer service abilities and other job-related skills. If they are not called back for a second interview or fail to receive a job offer, they might want to consider applying at other airlines. Airlines tend to compete heavily for the best candidates, but the process is much easier if an applicant understands what an airline wants in a flight attendant.

Sources:

http://www.flightattendantcareersite.com/become_a_flight_attendant.