The interview process

So I thought I would tell you about the interview process I went through to get the job, as I know how helpful it was when I was looking for tips online and reading other people’s blogs and their experiences.

I applied online for an open day that was held in Munich (the closest city to where I live that an open day was being held in – about 5 hours drive away) and got an automated message back thanking me for applying online. It also said I would be contacted if they were interested in me, however I knew that anyone could just turn up to the open days, so I made my travel arrangements to go to Munich for the open day on the 15th of September. I got there the night before as the open day was being held in a hotel starting at 9am.

I got the underground to the hotel, and happened to meet a girl who was going there as well, so had someone to chat to. She told me that she had been to an open day before but hadn’t made it to the final interview. Once we got there (about half an hour early) there were already lots of people waiting around and filling out the forms. By 9 there were about 50 people. The two recruiters (whose names I have forgotten, one was Eastern European and the other I think was from Dubai) came out and welcomed us all, and we went and sat in the conference room it was being held in. They introduced themselves and told us a bit about how the day would progress, and we then were shown a couple of videos about what life as a flight attendant is like, and what living in Dubai is like.

After the videos we were all told to come up to the front where they were sitting, hand in our CVs and photos, and get a sticker with a number and our name on. I was number 28! I was also asked how many languages I speak (other than English, my mother tongue, I also speak German and Spanish fluently) and what I was currently doing (work, studying, etc). While everyone was handing in their CVs we had a chance to look at a couple of pieces of paper that were hanging up with some rules about dress codes, tattoos, and those kind of things. We were then split into two groups and the second group (which I was in) was told to come back in hour.

Once back in the conference room we were split into two smaller groups and told to take a seat in a circle. We were told we would be introducing the person to our right and had to tell the group what their favourite subject at school was and why. Not exactly a difficult task! While this was going on each person was called  up to the side and made to do a “reach test” to see if we could reach 212cm with our hand stretched out. This wasn’t a problem for me especially as I had checked at home beforehand! Some girls couldn’t reach, and were eliminated. After we had done the introducing we were all called back in, and given a little folded over piece of paper. They called out our numbers one by one and on the paper we were told whether or not they wanted us to come back for the next round. So nerve-racking!

About 20 people were eliminated after this first round. The next thing we did was another group task, we had to sit in the circle again and discuss what we would do if we were given 1 million dollars. We had to think of 3 things, and weren’t allowed to vote. After this round we were given more little pieces of paper. I was through to the next round! We then had an English test as the open day was being held in Germany. I was the only one whose mother tongue was English so I still had to do the test but was finished pretty quickly. Quite a few people had to go as their English wasn’t good enough, so we were left with about 19 people by this time.

After quite a lot of waiting around we were split up into two final groups, and I was in the second group again. We were all given a piece of paper with the names and details of 8 passengers on, and we had to decide which 6 would have to be downgraded from business class to economy. As a group we decided pretty quickly, and then the recruiters acted as though they were the passengers and we had to explain to them why they were being downgraded. 
6 people didn’t make it after this, so we were left as the final 13. As we went back into the conference room the recruiters congratulated us on making it to the final interview. We then had quite a bit of paperwork to fill out about ourselves and had to pick an interview time for the next day. Mine was at 11am.

The same night we had to complete an online personality test, which was I think 170 questions with yes/no/maybe answers. Not too hard if you are truthful.

The next morning I made it back to the hotel with plenty of time to spare and chatted to the other girl who was waiting for her interview. Mine lasted roughly half an hour, and it was a of of questions relating to specific things that I had done in jobs and how I had reacted, such as “tell me about a time when you felt you were treated unfairly by a colleague, and how did you react?”. I felt like it was going on forever and couldn’t think of any “good” answers, but I guess they thought I was alright! πŸ˜€

We were told it would take 4 – 6 weeks until we heard anything back, but I still checked online every day to see if my status had changed! Exactly 2 weeks later I checked my phone and noticed 1 missed call from a strange number, sure enough when I called back they had called to offer me the job!!
I will be leaving for Dubai on the 14th of December – so exciting!!

45 Comments

  1. JANNA
    August 27, 2017 / 7:39 am

    Hello rachel! Are they strict with height? I am 5’2. If you can reach 212 cm will that be okay for them? πŸ™‚

    • thedubaidiaries
      Author
      August 29, 2017 / 4:17 pm

      Hi Janna! yes, if you check the official website there is a minimum height requirement of 160cm and you must be able to reach 212cm πŸ™‚ Good luck!

  2. Ana
    June 14, 2017 / 7:12 pm

    Hi Rachel! I ‘m 30 years old.i would like to apply this year for cabin crew job at Emirates.Do you know new joiners at this age? I mean ,people who have been recruited at this age and without previous flying experience.I’ve heard the official maximum age is 35.I don’t know what to do.Do you think I have the same chances like other applicants? Even if I’m 30 years old ,people say I look like 24 25.Thank you in advance !Ana

    • thedubaidiaries
      Author
      June 16, 2017 / 5:58 pm

      Hi Ana! Actually there are plenty of people who join at 30 so I don’t think you have anything to worry about regarding your age. However at the moment Emirates is not hiring, so just keep an eye on the careers page to see when they will open up recruitment again. Good luck! πŸ™‚

      • Ana
        June 16, 2017 / 6:49 pm

        Thank you very much for answering me so promptly! I know they aren’t hiring at this moment! I will use this period to improve my English and to prepare all the things I need for the interview!! πŸ˜‰

        • thedubaidiaries
          Author
          June 16, 2017 / 6:50 pm

          That’s perfect then, do let me know if you need any more help closer to the time and I will do my best! πŸ™‚

  3. georg
    May 24, 2016 / 11:50 am

    hi rachel.

    I attended an open day and was eliminated while doing group exercises sitting in a circle.
    Dont you know after how long time can I reapply and attend an OD again? is there any limit at all when i didnt make it through to the final interview?

    thank youu πŸ™‚

    • thedubaidiaries
      Author
      May 27, 2016 / 3:36 pm

      Hi Georg! You can try again after 6 months. I’m fairly sure this hasn’t changed since I applied! Don’t give up, good luck! πŸ™‚ x

  4. Lisa
    November 7, 2015 / 9:25 pm

    Hi Rachel. Just want to start with Thank you so much for your blog, Its very inspiring and helpful. I will continue to follow you and I’m so glad that I found you:) just wanted to ask you if you have any advice on how to get trough the interviews? And if you have to talk in front of a big crowd? I get very nervous and it shows easily on my face but I really want to do this. Its My Viggestorp dream. I’m actually from Sweden so maybe we don’t have the same interviews.

    But just some advice on what they are looking for and what they want to know about you. πŸ™‚

    • December 13, 2015 / 1:12 pm

      Hi there, thanks for reading! πŸ™‚ You don’t have to talk in front of a big crowd (from what I remember) just some smallish group discussions (maybe max 10 people) so no need to worry about that. The most talking you’d do is in the final interview and that is one-to-one. Good luck and all the best πŸ™‚

  5. Nash
    October 1, 2015 / 2:33 pm

    Hi Rachel, I’ve been reading your blog and I have few questions, I went to the final Interview on Monday and they told me it would take 4 or 6 weeks until I heard anything back I’m very nervous and exiting I really want this job, If they call me what else they ask me for? what is the process after the call?

    Thanks for your help!! xx

    • October 16, 2015 / 2:09 pm

      Hi there! Well once you get the call you will have access to the online portal which has all of the information you need! You’ll also get an email which explains the process if I remember correctly! Good luck πŸ™‚

  6. Lars
    September 14, 2015 / 10:20 pm

    You did also the reach test right? how tall are you?

    • September 24, 2015 / 8:10 am

      Yes everybody has to do the reach test! πŸ™‚ I’m 1m69.

  7. Lucie
    September 9, 2015 / 3:12 pm

    Hi,
    I’m working as an aupair in germany now and I will stay here for one year. But I’m thinking that I will try my luck as an fly attendant after that. So I already prepare a little bit. Hopefully I will make it!!
    Great blog. Keep inspiring me πŸ™‚

    • September 24, 2015 / 7:58 am

      Hi there! Good luck, see you in the skies one day πŸ™‚

  8. June 4, 2015 / 5:55 pm

    Brilliant post, I myself have just been recently employed as cabin crew and now know the struggles and hard work which goes into the application process! Thoroughly enjoyed reading! x

    • June 18, 2015 / 9:46 pm

      Thanks so much for reading, glad you enjoyed it! Hope you’re enjoying being cabin crew πŸ™‚

  9. Chrissy
    May 16, 2015 / 5:50 pm

    Hey Rachel πŸ™‚ I have just been to my first open day with emirates, but unfortunately didn’t even make it past the first round! I’m 21, British, I have what i think is a very good cv with more than 3 years customer service experience, i’m a good height and slim, and looked my best. I don’t want to sound at all big headed but i just cant understand why i didn’t make it through, at least to the group activity stage :/ Do you think having only one language works against you? I noticed everyone else had at least two. Any tips would be really appreciated πŸ™‚ btw I love your blog, you’ve made me want the job even more πŸ™‚

    • May 17, 2015 / 12:38 pm

      Hi there! πŸ™‚ Hm to be honest I don’t think it necessarily has to do with speaking more than one language, as almost all of the British girls I know here only speak English! Sometimes it just completely depends on the recruiters that day and how they are feeling! Especially if it’s a big open day with a lot of people I can imagine it’s hard for them to choose just a few to go through to the next round! But keep trying and I’m sure you’ll get there πŸ™‚

  10. Anet
    May 11, 2015 / 12:23 am

    Hey Rachel, I’m so glad a discovered your website. I’m actually planning to go to the open day in my country when I finish my studies. I would like to ask what are the rules about tattoos. I have 3 tattoos, on my wrist, arm and behind my ear and I’m not sure if its a big problem … Thanks for your help!

    • May 17, 2015 / 12:26 pm

      Hi there! Tattoos are strictly forbidden in any place that could be visible in uniform – so basically anywhere on arms/legs/neck/shoulders etc. Hope this helps! x

  11. Katy Fawcett
    April 29, 2015 / 10:33 am

    Hi Rachel,

    I’ve been reading your blog mainly about the application process as I am thinking about applying myself shortly.
    I’ve learnt so much from your blog and I’m super jealous of lifestyle. I’m just wondering from what you’ve found from other cabin crew that have you found that more people get job offers from applying via the open days or online. I can’t attend any of the open days so I was thinking of sending my details online (as I’ve read there are 2 options) but I’m scared that because I can’t physically get to an open (I’m travelling at the moment) that it won’t make chances as good because I’m not there in person?

    Thanks for all your help.

    • April 29, 2015 / 5:52 pm

      Hi there, thanks for reading πŸ™‚ So you can definitely apply online, and if you’re selected you will be invited to an Assessment Day. However you will have to go to either that or an Open Day as they will want to meet you in person! Good luck πŸ™‚

      • Katy Fawcett
        April 30, 2015 / 8:35 am

        Okay cool, I understand!
        Just because I’m travelling at the moment i was planning on applying in the next few weeks so hopefully (fingers crossed) I will get to open day invite shortly after I get back to the UK in early August.
        Thank you for your help

        • May 4, 2015 / 2:03 pm

          No worries, hope it all goes well! Enjoy travelling πŸ™‚

  12. Anonymous
    July 29, 2014 / 7:10 pm

    Hi Rachel! πŸ™‚ I just want to ask if you passed the language test and are a German & Spanish speaker on Emirates flights?

    • August 1, 2014 / 11:41 am

      Hi! Yep I’m officially a German and Spanish speaker, didn’t have to pass any tests though. You just have to be fluent in reading, writing and speaking!

      • Lisa
        November 7, 2014 / 7:31 pm

        Hi Rachel! love your blog, it’s super helpful! just a follow up to this, the airline hasn’t made you take any tests to prove your fluency? I’ve heard some weird things on different blogs and forums so I wanted to ask firsthand! I would hope that the company believes and trusts in your language abilities but i’m a bit rusty with mine so I want to make sure I’ll be ok! Thanks in advance(:

        • November 17, 2014 / 5:08 pm

          No they don’t make you take any tests, you just have to be honest. I think if you wanted to add another language to your list when you’ve already started flying they make you do a test but I’m not sure how it works. They say you have to be able to read, write and speak fluently! Thanks for reading πŸ™‚

  13. Anonymous
    July 21, 2014 / 6:07 pm

    Hello Rachel,

    First of all, your blog is great! Not only for the backstage peeks at Emirates but also for your many many stories and pictures of your layovers around the globe πŸ™‚ The one about how to be your favourite passenger was especially funny πŸ˜€
    I’d like to follow in your footsteps and become Emirates Cabin Crew too, and I wonder if having a college degree and some good work experience could work against you? It sounds stupid I know, but I’ve heard that recently, Emirates mostly recruits 20-year olds fresh from high school. Do you find this to be true?

    Keep up enjoying the good life!
    All the best,

    • July 26, 2014 / 7:43 pm

      Hi! Thanks so much, I’m really glad you like it πŸ™‚ Absolutely not, I’d say the majority of people I fly with have university degrees! For sure some people are recruited at a young age, but then again there are people recruited who’ve been out of uni and working for years! Good luck πŸ™‚

      • Anonymous
        July 27, 2014 / 10:13 am

        Thank you Rachel! If I make it as crew, I hope to fly with you some day πŸ™‚ You probably should do the PR for your company, they couldn’t find anyone better πŸ™‚

  14. ange
    March 10, 2014 / 3:07 pm

    Hi, I came across your blog and i find it very helpful. I was just wondering if you can share to us the scenarios of the 8 passengers. Which passengers and why did you choose to downgrade those specific passengers? Sorry I have far too many questions, i was just curious as to what your group had decided as I am going to an open day next month and just trying to get as much information as I can. Thank you!

    • March 16, 2014 / 7:46 am

      Hi, thanks for reading! To be honest I have absolutely no idea any more. The recruiters aren’t as interested in which passengers you choose, they just want to be able to see that you can work together and come to a mutual decision with the other people in your group. Don’t worry about the details, just try and have an opinion but don’t be too overpowering! Good luck!

  15. Ti Na
    November 21, 2013 / 4:15 pm

    Hi! I love your blog! I’m planning to attend an Open Day in a different country. How many days in total is the entire interview process (Open Day, Assessment Day and Final Interview)? Your advice will be greatly appreciated as I have to book a flight and hotel room.

    • November 26, 2013 / 7:36 am

      Hi πŸ™‚ So basically when I had my whole assessment process, it was over 2 days. The open day turned into the assessment day because there were only about 50 people there. However if you’re going to a larger city and there will probably be more people then it’s most likely going to be over 3 days. Good luck and let me know how it goes! πŸ™‚

  16. Anonymous
    August 11, 2013 / 10:43 pm

    I’m so happy I came across your blog! I’ll apply for them next year, after i finish my studies and hopefully I get the job (fingers crossed already) πŸ˜€ Hope to meet you somewhere in the sky! Best of luck! xx

    • August 21, 2013 / 4:05 pm

      Aw that’s awesome, I’m glad you enjoy my blog! Definitely let me know if you get the job πŸ™‚ xx

  17. OcΓ©ane
    May 26, 2013 / 4:47 pm

    Hello ! I read all your blog, it was very interesting ! I attend an Open Day on 8th of June, I just finished my studies and I don’t have any work experiences yet (only few internships in travel agencies) do you think that will be a problem ?

    Can’t wait to read a new post ! πŸ™‚

    • May 28, 2013 / 9:09 am

      Hi, thanks so much for reading! I’m sure that won’t be a problem at all, just as long as you keep smiling the whole day πŸ™‚

      • OcΓ©ane
        June 11, 2013 / 8:52 am

        Hi ! Thank you for your advice, I went to the Final Interview yesterday ! Now I’ve to wait, hopefully this would positive ! πŸ™‚

        • June 11, 2013 / 2:41 pm

          Congratulations for making it so far, let’s hope you get the call soon! πŸ™‚

  18. Anonymous
    April 2, 2013 / 10:50 am

    Hello! Reading your blog brought back memories. I have been w Emirates for more than 8yrs. Keep writing. There’s so much to share abt our unique, exciting, and sometimes challenging life! πŸ™‚

    • April 2, 2013 / 12:29 pm

      Thanks for reading! Hopefully I’ll still be loving the job after 8 years as much as I do now! πŸ™‚

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