What Is a Flight Attendant?
Flight attendants are a crucial part of the flying experience. They do not just look after passenger comfort and serve drinks. Flight attendants play a vital role in informing passengers of safety protocols, maintaining order during the flight, and handling difficult passengers to make sure the flight is as safe and calm as possible. This is a highly competitive field and airlines want to be certain they are hiring only the best people for the job. Candidates for positions as cabin crew must hold a GED, must be at least 18 and may have to meet certain physical standards. A strong affinity for customer service is a must and prior background in the hospitality industry gives job seekers an edge. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field will give you the best chance of being considered for a position as a flight attendant. Most airlines will have their new hires go through a 3-6 week training program. There are also flight attendant training programs that are not affiliated with an airline for those who have not yet been hired.
What Is the Cabin Crew Hiring Process?
Application
Most airlines have an application that is available online. Open positions are listed and can be searched for based on your location. Before applying you will need to have a valid passport. You will need to attach your resume and cover letter, being sure to emphasize any customer service experience you may have. Applications for positions as cabin crew are extensive to help ensure only the most qualified applicants move on. For most airlines, an online assessment test will be required as part of the application process.
Cabin Crew & Flight Attendant Psychometric Tests
Before selecting candidates to interview, applicants will be required to take a series of online assessment tests. You must receive a satisfactory score on these tests before being allowed to proceed to the next stage in the hiring process. The exact tests given may vary by airline but in general, those hoping to become flight attendants can expect to take these online tests:
- Personality Assessment – This is a psychometric test used to determine the main personality traits of the job candidate. The airline will want to ensure that your personality matches their established profile. This test consists of a series of true or false questions and statements that you must rank based on how you would respond.
- Verbal Reasoning Test – Since the cabin crew needs to be able to quickly read and understand information, as well as give that information to passengers. Therefore, job candidates will be given a verbal reasoning test. This test will measure your ability to read and understand information by presenting you with several paragraphs. After reading each passage you will need to answer multiple-choice questions about the information you were presented with. Since flight attendants are also frequently working under pressure, this test is timed.
- Logical Reasoning Test – Cabin-crew members need to be able to think on their feet and make quick decisions. To ensure that only people with the ability to reason through situations are interviewed, a logical reasoning test is given. This test will measure your ability to draw conclusions based on a limited amount of information. This test is multiple-choice.
- Situational Judgment Test – To see how you would respond in real-life situations you may be given a situational judgment test. During this test, you will be presented with a set of scenarios that you are likely to encounter on the job. You will be given multiple answers to choose from.
Some airline companies use timed cognitive ability tests such as the Wonderlic test. In these tests not only will your knowledge be assessed but also your ability to perform under stress.
Interviews
If you score well on the online assessment tests you will be notified that you are moving onto the next stage. For many airlines, this next stage is a video interview. You will be sent a link to use when you are ready to perform the interview. You will have a small window to complete this, so plan accordingly. You will be given a set amount of time, usually around 3 minutes to answer each question. The airline will want to see how you present yourself, and how well you speak. If the video interview is successful, you will be invited to an in-person interview. This interview will go more in-depth with behavioral, and situational questions. Much of the interview will focus on your customer service skills.
Cabin Crew Assessment Day
Many airlines will ask their final candidates back for an assessment day. The assessment day is an opportunity to see how well you perform in a group and gauge how well you can perform the duties of the job. At the assessment day, you will have to complete several activities:
- Reach Test – The test is given to ensure that you can reach the height of the overhead compartments on an aircraft.
- Group Exercise – You will be given group exercises to see how you perform as part of a team. You will be evaluated on how well you are able to listen, how you communicate with others, and your decision-making skills.
- English Language Test – You will be given a test to measure your proficiency with the English language.
How to Prepare for Cabin Crew Tests?
The abilities you exhibit on the online exams will determine if you can continue on in the hiring process. Preparing yourself is vital if you are serious about starting a career as a flight attendant. Give yourself plenty of time to take the online assessments. You need to be able to give all of your focus to them, so set yourself up in an area that is free from distractions. Familiarize yourself with everything the job entails, this way you will have an idea of the types of answers airlines will find desirable. Practice skills you feel you may not test well on, crossword puzzles, and word games can help with your reading comprehension. Remain calm while taking the test, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, but taking a few minutes to breathe deeply before you begin taking the test can clear your mind and help you focus. If you prepare yourself and stay calm, you will find yourself hired by an airline in no time.
