Airline/Aviation Job Preparation: Qualities of a Cabin Crew

Each airline is unique so they may be looking for various traits in their cabin crew applicants; be it physical appearance or personality type. However, the universal role of a Cabin Crew/Flight Attendant is the same no matter the airline. There will be basic qualities that all airlines are bound to look for in their candidates.

Qualities Cabin Crew Recruiters Look For:

1. Empathy

Empathy isn’t just extended to passengers but co-workers too. On the day of the interview, show kindness to the other applicants. Smile. Talk. Help. Give way to other applicants. Don’t ever try to put someone else down just so you could shine. Be a human being. Be genuine.

Airlines do not really appreciate if their employees have Sympathy or Apathy towards the Customer. I shared this picture for all of you to understand the real meaning of all these three words. Hope this will make the meaning of the feelings clear to all of you.

2. Customer Service Orientation

You’ll be asked a lot of problem-solving questions. Whenever you answer one, always keep the customer your top priority. 

- Describe a situation when you have delivered excellent service.

- How do you handle a difficult customer?

- Give me a time when you resolved a customer complaint. 

- Do you think the customer is always right?

These questions bring out how good you are at solving passenger problems leaving them feeling satisfied, appreciated, and heard. In your answers, show that you have the customer’s best interest in mind. Offer alternatives but don’t impose a solution. Let the customer choose the solution they desire.

3. Adaptability

Your plans to spend a weekend with loved ones could be an improbability due to changes in your roster. You’ll have standby duties and may have to be ready for duty within 20 minutes of being called. You’re definitely going to experience flight delays and cancellations.

You may expect to have 30 minutes to do your preflight ground duties but now you only have 5 minutes. You may not have all the resources you had expected to perform a job correctly. But you’ll have to be able to make it happen nonetheless.

Your company’s policies could change overnight – not necessarily in your favor. All these sudden changes do happen very often and recruiters want to see how well you can cope with disruptions. Can you still ‘make do’ and make things work even under the stress and pressure of change?

Common questions for gauging your level of adaptability is:

- Tell me about a big change you’ve had to deal with.

- Give me a time when you had to improvise to achieve your goal.

In your answer, tell a story where you welcomed the change. Mention the positive results from it. End by talking about what you’ve learned from the experience. 

4. Teamwork and Communication

As a cabin crew, you’ll work in teams of people you may have never met before. You’ll have to show recruiters that you’re very capable of working with total strangers towards achieving a common goal.

·         Tell me about a time you worked in a team.

Give a real-world an example where everyone in the group pitched in resulting in a successful positive outcome.

Don’t try to sound like you’re the hero in your story. A good tip is to replace all the “I” with “We”.

For example:

Don’t say: I suggested that we start by arranging the chairs.

Say: We agreed that we start by arranging the chairs.

5. Cultural Awareness

As mentioned above you’ll be working with a different set of teams every time you go to work. If you work for a multinational airline like the ones in the Middle East, you’re bound to be sharing the workplace with people of other nationalities. Cultures and ideas might sound absolutely strange to you but you’ll have to put all these aside and work together as one unit.

- Name the nationalities that you’d love to work with.

This is a very tricky question. Don’t ever attempt to answer this by actually naming the nationalities you prefer to work – or not to work – with. Show that you can work with anyone no matter the nationality, race, and religion. In fact, show that you’d be excited to work in such a diverse environment since it’s an opportunity for you to broaden your knowledge about humanity and the many cultures of this world.

6. Grooming and Grace

Flight attendants are the image of an airline. You must look the part. Your grooming should be impeccable and your posture graceful. You’ll be working long hours and have to look just as fresh at the end of the flight as you did at the start. Throughout the interview, keep a confident and poised demeanor. Watch for your grooming from your hair to your fingernails. Standards are really high in the airline business. 

Keep these qualities glued to the back of your head throughout your entire hiring process. Starting from filling out the application form, onto the assessment day, and all the way to the final interview. Whatever you say or do, always tailor your words and actions to these qualities.

Start preparing yourself. It's not always necessary to have the best Make-up or the perfect Gel styled hair, but it is absolutely necessary to have confidence and positivity in your posture and gesture. All the best everyone. 

Airline/Aviation Job Preparation: Group Discussion

To secure your good position in the airline there are a number of Steps and Stages that you need to deal with. All of them will be discussed in detail by me in further posts. Today, I will state all the possibilities that can take place while you are in the Group Discussion Round.

The candidate, he/she will be judged on the basis of these parameters of Group Discussion listed below:

1.   Content

2.   Verbal Communication

3.   Non-Verbal Communication

Content

1.   Express the innovation of your thoughts.

2.   Arrange your thoughts in an appropriate manner.

3.   Always present a fact/quote with your presentation or speech.

4.   TRY to be relevant to the topic that you will be discussing.

Verbal Communication

1.   Your content should be delivered in very simple manner.

2.   TRY to keep it precise and short.

3.   PLEASE do not try to swim extremely deep in the ocean of THOUGHTS.

4.   Be practical with the points you add in your content.

5.   Try to maintain MODULATION in your voice.

Non-Verbal Communication

1.   Please keep in mind do not keep thinking about your BODY LANGUAGE just leave it free and straight.

2.   Maintain EYE CONTACT with not only the recruiter but also with all the members sitting beside you. (Remember the difference between maintaining good Eye Contact and Staring.)

3.   Control your HAND and LEG movements.

Now friends, candidate sitting in a different position should have little different template of introducing themselves and speaking during the group discussion interviews. Here are a few examples of How to introduce yourself to the Group:

Example 1

This is designed for those who would be initiating the group discussion either they are sitting at the 1st position and will Begin the interview first.

Steps to follow:

1.   Greeting

2.   Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on this ABC topic.

3.   Your name

4.   2 to 3 points about the topics.

5.   Your real-life experience related to the topic and Thank you once again.

Let us imagine “Sam” is a candidate in the interview and is sitting at the 1st position and is asked to begin the group discussion round by the recruiter.

Sam’s speech:

Good Morning Mam/Sir and everyone presents here. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on the topic of CAT vs DOG. My name is “Sam”. About CAT, cats are very witty and love the attention of their master. Also, they are very sophisticated. Whereas, DOGS are the most humble and trustworthy when it comes to keeping them as pets. DOGS are used by the police and the armies both as an investigator and bomb squad.

I really share a very good and memorial experience with my DOG called Sandy. He is with me since I was 12 years old and he loves playing with me and my sibling.

Once again thank you so much for giving me this great opportunity of speaking on these topics.

NOTE: You can use this template very easily for the minute or two given to you by the recruiter. Just make sure you speak accordingly as sitting in the first place is giving you an opportunity to set bars for others. If you follow this example well, then you must know that the rest of the candidates will be expected to speak in the same way as you did as it is unique.

Example 2

This is designed for those who would be sitting in the middle position of the group discussion and will start for their own only not for everyone.

Steps to follow:

1.   Greeting

2.   Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on this ABC topic.

3.   Your name

4.   Now here you can say that I totally agree with what our friend said that dogs are…Then two points from your side on both the CAT and The DOG.

5.   Your real-life experience or preference with reason…Thank You.

Kim‘s speech:

Good Morning Mam/Sir and everyone presents here. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on the topic of CAT vs DOG. My name is Kim. As one of our friends said that dogs are extremely loving and are used for security purposes, I totally agree. DOGS are very much loving and also they have fewer maintenance costs. CATS are also very beautiful and unique and I would for sure love to have a cat. And I am already owning a dog now from 10 years who have saved my mother’s life during an incident.

Thank you for letting me be a part of this beautiful discussion.

NOTE: If you follow this example well the recruiter will get to know that you really a wonderful communicator as you are not only bragging your points but also included your, team member.

Also, your trait of a team member can be highlighted here.

Example 3

This is designed for those who would be ending the group discussion either they are sitting at the very last position and will end the group discussion interview round.

Steps to follow:

1.   Greeting

2.   Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on this ABC topic.

3.   Your name

4.   We have reached the end of the topic and I totally agreed with whatever my team members said.

5.   Relevant Experience and Thank You.

John‘s speech:

Good Morning Mam and everyone present here. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on the topic of CAT vs DOG. My name is John. We have finally reached the end of the discussion of these wonderful topics of CAT vs DOG. I would like to say that dog is very lovable and loyal whereas Cat is best as a pet for working professionals like me. Yes, I own a cat as my pet her name is Roxy, and she is lovely in her own ways.

Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to speak on this topic. Have a nice day.

NOTE: If you follow this template well the recruiter will get to know that you are well mannered as you are wishing him/her for a nice day, you are a team player and your great communication skills.

Real Experience Time

I got my experience in the first job interview of a Domestic carrier and the first round was none other than Group Discussion. I was excited and nervous both at the same time.

So I was the first position candidate that means I was sitting at the first and was supposed to begin the interview.

As the topic was announced we were given the topic and 1 minute time to think about what we want to speak. So I noted down everything I wanted to share very precisely.

As I started I followed example 1 not only I used all the points but also I told her incidence related to real-life experience and comparison.

And GUYS, I was selected.

My topic was The Effects of Social Media on our lives?

Conclusion

Guys these are three methods that are the best methods if used properly with the great communication skills hand in hand. All these templates can be proven helpful if we are ready to give your fear of communication.

All the Best.

How To write a Cover Letter

Do we really need a cover letter for cabin crew interviews? Well, the answer is YES. Whether we are trying for Cabin Crew or Ground Staff or any other Job, we do need a good and expressive cover letter. So, today to help you design a fantastic cover letter that will get you through the job I am here with a cover letter template.

A cover letter can also be taken as a motivational letter that is attached with a Resume or CV that provides additional information regarding your skills and experience.

The main motive of giving a cover letter alongside a resume to mention the important information that has not being given in the resume. Either to say you can use a cover letter to justify more that why you are the candidate who is best suitable for the role?

The best cover letter helps the employer to choose which candidate they would want to select for the interview and an expressive cover letter is itself enough to take them in confidence to hire you.

The structure of the best cover letter is divided into 9 steps:

Customization – This includes three things.

·         Include the job title in the opening paragraph.

·         A referral if you have.

·         Be specific (Justify why you are the best the choice for these jobs)

·         What only you can offer to the company?

·         Please change the starting part of the letter as per the role you are applying for.

Header – Add your Name, Contact Number, and Email.

·         To start writing the cover letter at the very first write your Name. Make sure the Name is eye-catching and written in formal fonts.

·         House Address.

·         Then give your contact number.

·         End by writing your formal e-mail.

Date – Mention the DAY-MONTH-YEAR you are writing on. For example 19-July-2020.

Salutation – After the date, you have to start writing content with salutation. It would be good if you are able to find the name of the person you are supposed to write the cover letter to. But in case if you do not know the name you can write Dear Hiring Manager.

For Example Dear Mr. Brown or Dear Hiring Manager.

Introduction/Opening Statement – Here introduction means what is the role of the job you are applying for. Here in the introduction, you will include:

·         From where you heard about the job.

·         If you have heard it from someone working in the company.

·         How your skills and experience match the job requirement?

·         An Example to opening statement:

Dear Mr. Brown

·         I am really very much interested in the position of a cabin crew at XYZ Airlines. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet you and discuss what I can bring to your company and how together we can start a journey of greater achievements.

·         Mr. Joe has recommended me to contact you regarding this role as he finds me suitable for the role. (Write this referral statement only if you are referred by someone, if not skip this step).

·         I recently graduated from ABC University and my course are 123. I had worked with XYZ Company for 6 months where my designation was of a content writer with attention to search engine optimization and social media marketing. Above all the new things I learned and my passion for the role of cabin crew have made me develop a website that is helping aspirants cabin crew to work hard towards their team and also I myself is improving and learning new things every day.

Body – Here you can write if you have any experience of working in a relevant field. i.e., as a customer service officer, receptionist, or a teacher or an instructor any job. If not you are a fresher you can write your visit to an NGO or how you have helped someone. You can also make the body by writing why you want to work at this position, what has inspired you?

Example: You have to write the positive side of your and the job. All the sentences will be written together.

“I am very much fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to write to you. I wanted to become a cabin crew because I really love customer service jobs and I understand that a cabin crew job is not only the best example of a glamorous job but also a very responsible one. I really appreciate how they successfully bring a smile on everyone’s face. I understand that the job comes with great responsibility and so I am ready to fulfill this responsibility carefully and to offer the same customer service to my passenger that I expect with smile and warmth.”

Lower Body – Here you have to write all the skills and experience that you have for this job which you have not listed in the resume.

Final Paragraph – In this paragraph, you will write: “I will follow up next week to see if you can arrange to meet in person. Please feel free to contact me at the number or email listed below.”

Closing of the cover letter – Now you are about to end the cover letter. This is done simply. You can use any of the below-listed words. Example:

ü  Sincerely

ü  Regards

ü  Yours Truly

ü  Yours Sincerely

ü  Cordially Yours

ü  Example:

• Yours Truly,
• Typed Signature
• Email Address
• Phone’
• LinkedIn URL (optional)

In this article, I have tried to give you the best template for preparing the cover letter for your upcoming interview. There are many airline companies that demand the cover letter at the time of application filling. So, now I hope that a cover letter will no more be a point of worry for you and you can write your cover easily within few minutes. All the Best.