| "Hi! I've just been invited to attend an 'informational | | | | Small group interviews |
| session' at XYZ Airlines that's being held next | | | | If you wow them in the cattle call, or if your resume is |
| Saturday. I sent them my resume a couple of weeks | | | | really impressive, you'll move on to the second round |
| ago. Is this an interview? Is there anything I should | | | | of interviews, usually a small group flight attendant job |
| know?" | | | | interview. You'll be seated in a room with 8-10 other |
| Yes, Virginia, airlines are hiring flight attendants again - | | | | applicants while the interviewer asks questions of the |
| and the so-called 'informational session' is often the | | | | group at large. It'll be up to the applicants to answer in |
| first step in the flight attendant job interview process. | | | | their own order - and how you answer questions will |
| Start off by congratulating yourself - obviously, your | | | | be as important as what you say in response to the |
| resume and cover letter did their job, and now the | | | | questions. The recruiters will be watching you as much |
| company wants to meet you in person. That's the | | | | for your demeanor as for your knowledge - |
| good news. The bad news is that they probably also | | | | remember, they'll be training you after they hire you, so |
| liked a few dozen other people's resumes enough to | | | | knowing the job isn't the most important thing here. |
| also invite them to this cozy little tea party. Much like | | | | The best strategy is answer first on some questions, |
| acting, where there are dozens of people who want | | | | last on some questions and somewhere in the middle |
| that one job, those who fill positions for flight | | | | on most questions. When you answer, be polite and |
| attendants at major airlines have their interview | | | | pleasant, never ever belittle another person or their |
| process down to an art. If you've been invited in for a | | | | answer, and answer briefly and concisely. The types |
| flight attendant job interview, here are some things that | | | | of questions you might be asked will range from 'How |
| you should know. | | | | do you handle a conflict in this situation?' to 'What's the |
| The "cattle call" | | | | most important thing to remember on an international |
| The first stage of the interview process is often called | | | | flight?' |
| a 'cattle call', after the same practice in the acting | | | | The interviewers are looking for people who are |
| profession. The airline will invite as many as several | | | | poised, confident and sensitive to other people. |
| hundred applicants to a conference center or hotel | | | | Remember, their job in a flight attendant job interview |
| where you'll get to fill out an application, then stand up | | | | is to find people who will represent the company and |
| and introduce yourself. You'll have two to three | | | | make them look good to the customers. As a flight |
| minutes to wow the interviewers with your personal | | | | attendant, you are the person that people will |
| statement, and if you do, you may get an invitation to | | | | associate with the airline. Make sure you project a |
| a personal or small group interview later in the day. | | | | confident, competent attitude. |
| This kind of flight attendant job interview is great for | | | | One-on-one interviews |
| the airline, especially if they're hiring a lot of people in a | | | | So you made it to a one-on-one interview. That's quite |
| short time - for instance, when they're opening a new | | | | an accomplishment in itself. At this point, the advice isn't |
| base in a new city. It's far less expensive for them to | | | | much different than it is in interviewing for any other |
| rent conference centers in several cities and weed | | | | job. Listen to the questions asked; respond to them |
| through several hundred people in a day than it would | | | | briefly and concisely. Take the time to draw out your |
| be for them to fly everyone to the home base for | | | | interviewer a little - knowing whether she or he was a |
| personal interviews. Unfortunately, it's not so great for | | | | flight attendant, and what his or her experience is in the |
| you - you need to make a good impression in a very | | | | industry can help you frame your answers effectively. |
| short time. Basically, it's a 'stress interview' - you may | | | | Most importantly, remember that the airlines hire as |
| be asked, "Tell me a little about yourself," or be hit with | | | | much for attitude and image as they do for skills - as |
| a tougher interview question. Your best strategy for | | | | noted before, they'll train you in the knowledge that you |
| this kind of flight attendant job interview is to practice | | | | need. Instead, you should be working to present an |
| responding spontaneously to many different questions. | | | | outgoing, resourceful and friendly personality - just the |
| They're looking for unruffled poise - and that comes | | | | kind of person you'd want in the aisles on your flight |
| with practice. | | | | home. |