Tips for a cabin crew interview!

I get a lot of comments on here and my social media sites asking for tips and tricks for open days and/ or interviews, so I thought I’d compose a little list with a few of my tips for the big day!

IMG_9819

  • Look the part!

This generally applies for any interview, however it is equally important if you’re going for an interview to become cabin crew.

They’re looking for a well-put together outfit which looks professional. It’s best to wear something which imitates the style of a flight attendant – so for example, a pencil skirt and white blouse, with a fitted blazer. You could always go for a dress as well, just make sure whatever you’re wearing is around knee length. No-one looks professional turning up in a mini skirt! Wear heels if you feel comfortable, but make sure they’re not too high or flashy. Plain and classy black is best, and flat shoes are fine as long as they still look the part. And if you’re wearing a skirt/dress, make sure to wear nude tights as well!

Don’t overdo it on the make-up; feel free to wear red lipstick if you feel comfortable, but it’s by no means necessary. Use neutral colours, as this is what many airlines require when you’re working. An interview is definitely not the time to be trying out any new eyeshadow shades or crazy blushers!

Hair absolutely needs to be tied up, either in a simple ponytail or even better a bun or French twist if you can. Make sure your nails are groomed as once you’ll onboard you’ll be expected to take good care of them!

If you choose to wear any jewellery, keep it simple. Stud earrings and a watch are generally all that’s allowed, so no point in wearing flashy necklaces or bracelets.

  • Be yourself!

Don’t try and put on a pretend persona for the open day. There’s no point in acting like someone you’re not as the recruiters will see through it straight away! If you’re normally a pretty loud person, maybe tone it down slightly so as not to overshadow others. However do be friendly and keep smiling throughout the day, as this will be noticed! Chat to the other candidates and be open and friendly.

  • Body language!

As I mentioned in the previous point, keep smiling. Even if you feel a bit cheesy doing it, it’ll put you in a good mood and you’ll automatically feel more positive about passing the different interview rounds!

When you’re sitting one-to-one, sit up straight (but not forced) and lean slightly forward to show that you are interested and involved in the conversation.

Keep your hands in your lap or on the table – don’t fold your arms or keep touching your hair/face! Even if you’re incredibly nervous, nobody needs to know, and fidgeting with your hands is an easy giveaway of nervousness.

Your tone of voice is also important. Before answering your questions, breathe and keep calm. Vary your tone and pitch, so you don’t come across as monotone. Make sure you smile at appropriate times, but don’t overdo it when you’re in the final interview. Try not to yawn in front of the interviewer – so make sure you have plenty of sleep the night before!

  • Do your research!

Read up about what your airline of choice is looking for. Do you meet the minimum height requirements? Do you have any tattoos/are they allowed? (Most airlines will not allow visible tattoos).

Do some research about the airline – you don’t need to know all of the details of course, but a few bullet points about the company will most certainly help. Knowing a little bit about the history of the airline and what kind of changes it has undergone will show the recruiters that you are interested and will help you when it comes to answering questions about the company, and why you want to work for that specific airline.

You also need to understand the job – know that it’s not just serving food and drinks at 40,000 ft!

  • Prepare for the final interview!

Are you ready for the final interview? In lots of airlines (especially the large Middle Eastern ones) after you’ve completed group interviews on your assessment day, you’ll be invited to a final interview. This will most likely be the next day (or day after that) so you’ll not have a huge amount of time to prepare. So best to get ready beforehand!

There will be questions where you are expected to provide a specific answer. For example when you did something outside of your job description to make a customer happy, or a time when a customer did something to upset you and what your reaction was. You should be ready to give answers with real examples (or if you haven’t encountered these situations, make one up!). You can find plenty of websites with lists of example questions – so read up on those and practise a few answers.

Stay relevant to the questions asked – don’t stray away from the topic. If you can’t think of an example straight away, ask for a minute to think about it. The recruiters would much rather you take your time and have a relevant answer, than you talking about something completely irrelevant and off topic.

Keep a couple of questions ready in case the interviewer asks if you have any for them. If everything you wanted to know has been covered, then of course you don’t need to ask anything. However it’ll show enthusiasm and interest in the company even if you only ask one thing.

Make sure you bring any required documents with you. You’ll most likely have given your CV in on the first day, but bring a spare copy just in case. You could also need things such as a passport copy, photos (business attire and possibly “casual” photos) and maybe your high school diploma or university degree.

  • Be on time!

If you end up getting the job, punctuality is very important! If you’re 30 seconds late, someone else will have already been pulled out from standby to take your place on the flight. So make sure you’re there with plenty of time to spare.

Better to be hanging around for half an hour than to arrive 5 minutes late and be told the doors are closed and you can’t enter!

And lastly…

  • Enjoy yourself!

As I said, a smile is this most important thing during the day. Most people come away from the assessment day having enjoyed themselves, regardless of how nervous they were to start off with. It’s a great experience, so you might as well have fun while you’re doing it!

I hope these tips are helpful, and that whichever airline you’re trying out for, you’ll be successful! Good luck 🙂

Ps. Follow me on Instagram & Twitter for more day-to-day updates on my life and travels!

43 Comments

  1. February 26, 2024 / 11:22 am

    “I appreciate your dedication to excellence. Your attention to detail is admirable.”
    For more information visit us on cabin crew course

  2. Anum
    September 1, 2023 / 6:00 am

    Can you please show me the professional resume look like . I would be so thankful to you.

  3. January 18, 2017 / 3:07 pm

    Hello Rachel, i want to know what denier your tights has to be? I want to war a 20 DEN tights ( skin color)at the interview because i have a scar on my leg that i can cover with makeup and tights. Is this ok or i have to look for tights with less DEN? Thank you.

    • thedubaidiaries
      Author
      January 18, 2017 / 4:01 pm

      You can wear those tights with no issues! We are allowed to wear compression tights onboard even which are quite a bit thicker than regular skin coloured tights 🙂

  4. Anonymous
    July 5, 2015 / 5:42 pm

    I saw that some people are wearing trousers? It is possible to choose? 🙂

    • July 10, 2015 / 6:07 pm

      The trousers are only for the CSA’s (Cabin Service Attendant), the girls that are in charge of the shower spa on the A380 🙂 For cabin crew they’re no longer part of the uniform.

  5. Anonymous
    July 3, 2015 / 8:37 pm

    Hey! I am glad that I’ve founded your blog so I could somehow prepare for the interview.
    One of the questions is about the hair colour. I don’t see that anyone is mentioning it, but I believe it is very important about the look.
    So, I have dark purple hair, when it washes off it goes a little bit to red.
    Can I go to blood red or must I be with some natural hair colour?

    Thank You!
    A.

    • Anonymous
      July 4, 2015 / 8:51 pm

      or short bangs? :/

    • July 10, 2015 / 6:05 pm

      Hi there, thanks for reading! 🙂 Well you should have a natural looking hair colour, so purple will definitely not be allowed! Red is ok just as long as it’s not too obviously dyed!

  6. g-rald
    July 2, 2015 / 1:16 pm

    Any tips for guys looking for employment as a cabin crew? particularly for Emirates and the other top airlines ( i.e, Singapore Airlines)

    • July 10, 2015 / 6:01 pm

      Pretty much same kind of thing as for girls…just be yourself really! I did a post with lots of tips for the interview so check that out, hope it gives you some ideas! Good luck 🙂

  7. asanda
    June 14, 2015 / 3:50 pm

    hi love love your blog, I’m a black south African with afro short hair I’m wondering if you allowed to braid your hair of a short hair cut or maybe weaves are allowed

    • June 18, 2015 / 9:59 pm

      Hi, thanks for reading! Yes you are allowed braids or a weave as long as it looks natural 🙂

  8. May 29, 2015 / 2:36 pm

    Hi Rachel
    i just recently went for an Emirates interview (19th May) and my status still hasn’t changed from ”under review” is this a bad thing? Also , my interview was a bit emotional ( I nearly cried… but i kept it in!) , i am a part time model do you think that will help me haha? Do they ONLY consider final interview in order for one to be successful or do they also consider assessment days.
    Thank you

    • May 31, 2015 / 5:42 pm

      Hi there! Hmm I think the status’ have changed since I applied as I can’t really recall mine ever saying under review. You’d be best off asking someone who has done their interview recently! 🙂 I think they’ll consider everything, not just the FI, although I’m not a recruiter so I can’t be sure haha! Good luck and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you 🙂

  9. Mita Sutanto
    May 20, 2015 / 5:31 am

    Hi Rachel,

    Awesome blog and I find it very helpful as I’m going to submit my application for one of the assessment day in Brisbane. Just wondering with the application, you are required to attach a full length and a passport size photo, do I have to submit a formal ones for full length with make up and wear heels? I’m really desperate for this job. 🙂
    Thank you in advance.

    • May 26, 2015 / 12:54 pm

      Hi there! Thanks for reading 🙂 I seem to remember having to submit a business picture as well as a casual one, I guess your best answer will be online on the website! Good luck 🙂

  10. B.
    March 24, 2015 / 10:02 pm

    Hello Rachel!
    I found your blog a while ago and since then my interest for this career has increased. Thank you for sharing your experience!
    I would have a couple of questions.
    Do you think one would have the time to do study through distance learning alongside being a cabin crew member? Are there enough days off to use for reading and writing assignments once you finish the 6 months training? Do you know anyone who is doing it?

    I was also wondering what people do after being a cabin crew member. I know you can progress within the team. But what if you decide that this life style does not suit you anymore after a few years? Did you hear of anyone changing career?

    Thank you in advance!!
    Looking forward to you new posts!

    • April 6, 2015 / 1:34 am

      Hi there! Glad you found my blog.
      I think there are plenty of crew who study whilst working – you have to be very disciplined though. For sure there are plenty of days off, and you could always take your books/material on the layovers with you.
      Of course lots of people change career – there are so many crew who have degrees in all sorts of subjects and lots of them go back to what they were doing before or try something new! 🙂

  11. Vy Nguyen
    March 18, 2015 / 6:47 pm

    Hello Rachel,
    Thank you so much for all your helpful tips, how sweet of you! I really enjoy reading your blog to prepare for my first ever interview with Emirates next month. A little bit nervous but still excited for new challenge. I just wonder is it accepted to have a tiny dark birthmark, esspecially on my ear? I honestly don’t have any tatoos or scars, but still worry about that birthmark!
    I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon and hope to see you some day in the near future! X0X0

    • March 21, 2015 / 12:13 pm

      Glad you found them helpful 🙂 I’m sure that a tiny birthmark won’t even be noticeable, let alone stop you from getting the job! Good luck 🙂

  12. Daisy
    March 11, 2015 / 1:18 pm

    What if I don’t have much work experience/an extensive CV?
    I’ve only worked as an apartment complex manager for several months, but that was over three years ago! (long story). That’s what worries me. 🙁

    I love your blog also 🙂

    • March 13, 2015 / 8:52 pm

      I’m sure it won’t matter if you don’t have much work experience, in fact plenty of people come straight from university! Thanks for reading 🙂

  13. March 3, 2015 / 11:21 am

    Definitely not too late! Lots of people join much older than that so I’m sure it won’t be a problem at all 🙂 During training if you fail the exams you have the chance to repeat them the next day (where you need to get a higher %) and if you fail again you just repeat the week. You’d have to do absolutely no studying at all to fail though, so don’t worry about that!

  14. Anonymous
    February 28, 2015 / 9:09 pm

    I am looking into applying for Emirates and like you I have read a lot of blogs, every thing there is to know about Dubai, and everything (it feels like) about being cabin crew. I really enjoyed your blog I will definitely keep checking back! Although I did have a question, on layovers it seems like all cabin crew stay at the same hotels, are the rooms already booked for you? If so how much approximately is each hotel for you?

    • March 3, 2015 / 11:35 am

      Glad you like my blog 🙂 The company books the hotels for us, so I have no idea how much they cost! I assume they get some sort of corporate rate. As long as I get a nice clean room (preferably with a big bed, haha!) does it matter? 🙂

  15. Laura
    February 28, 2015 / 2:44 am

    Hi Rachel,
    Thanks for the tips. Can you maybe write a post on how to survive your initial training? I got accepted for an airline (yay!) and I start my training in two months. Would be nice to be prepared!
    Oh and keep up the good work!

    • March 3, 2015 / 11:33 am

      If you go back to the beginning of my blog when I first started out in Dubai I think I did some post(s) similar to this?! It’s been while since I did my initial training though so I’m probably not the best person to ask any more 🙂 Congrats and good luck!

  16. Anonymous
    February 25, 2015 / 12:23 am

    Hi Rachel, I’m going to attend an Open Day in another country. Is it true that in the Final Interview, we need to bring our Parents Wedding Certificate and Birth Certificates? It sounds strange! As I mentioned, I’ll be going to a different country for the interview so your answer would be really helpful. Thank you 🙂

    • March 3, 2015 / 11:30 am

      I don’t remember if you need them for the final interview, however you will need them (or better just a copy, so you don’t lose the originals!) if you want your parents to have staff travel benefits! Maybe take a copy to the FI just in case 🙂

  17. Anonymous
    February 24, 2015 / 11:25 pm

    Hi Rachel! 🙂 Your blog is so helpful! I’m just wondering when are flight attendants required to tie their hair up? When hair touches the shoulders? Thanks in advance!

    • March 3, 2015 / 11:26 am

      Thanks for reading 🙂 Yes, your hair must be tied up if it touches the collar of your jacket 🙂

  18. Anonymous
    February 24, 2015 / 12:26 pm

    I am not with emirates yet, but I do know that 23/24 cannot be late, when you consider that the minimum age is 21 ! 😉 I have heard of a woman who was hired at the age of 38. I think, as long as you take care of your health and looks, age will not be an issue. Good luck in university. SIA

  19. Kieran hooper-davies
    February 24, 2015 / 1:28 am

    What is the General rule for layovers? For example, how long is the layover after each flight, is there a certain flight time that triggers a certain layover?
    Also, on longhaul flights, how long do you get on break when the other crew takes over?

    • March 3, 2015 / 11:17 am

      Almost all of our layovers are 24 hours. Most of the West Coast USA are 48 hours. Flights that are over 4,5 – 5 hours are layovers, anything under that is usually a turnaround (go there and come back in the same day). On long haul flights we all get around 3 hours break. There’s only one set of crew though, so it can get pretty busy when there’s a few people on break at the same time!

      • exa magar
        May 2, 2015 / 11:17 am

        Hello maam, resently i attended the assessment day of emirates for csa.and i m called for final interview this month. I want to know if csa are allowd to travel as like cc and when in annual holiday(30dys) are csa allowd to travel any of the countries if they dont want to go their home. What kinf of visa and travel document they carry?

        • May 4, 2015 / 2:07 pm

          Hi there! As far as I am aware the CSA’s also have 30 days leave, and I assume they can also travel to other countries. However I’m not too sure if all the rules are the same – next time I’m flying on the A380 I’ll ask the CSA and get back to you 🙂

  20. February 23, 2015 / 11:53 pm

    reading this, all the time I was nervous, i even coudn`t breath. In every sentence I realized how much i want this job!

    • Courtney
      February 24, 2015 / 1:45 am

      I feel the same way! My heart speeds up just thinking about it.

      Rachel, I am working on my application with Emirates now. Did you upload a cover letter with your documents? It doesn’t ask for one specifically, but do you think it is a good idea to upload one along with your resume/CV?

      Thank you and I love your blog!

      • March 3, 2015 / 11:18 am

        I don’t remember if I uploaded a cover letter, although I do seem to remember writing a page or so about why I wanted the job. Not sure what’s necessary, best to look on the website and just upload what they recommend! Good luck 🙂

  21. Jola
    February 23, 2015 / 9:50 am

    Your blog is really amazing!! ;-)) Have you ever been in Poland (Warsaw, Poznan, Wroclaw, Cracow)? If yes, what do you thinking? I’m curious 🙂 Greetings!

    • March 3, 2015 / 11:14 am

      Thank you 🙂 I’ve not had the chance to visit Poland yet, although I would love to one day!

Leave a Reply