Most airlines require their applicants to fill out an electronic application form on the internet. In some cases, applicants have the option to attach their cover letter and resume. Even if it is “optional”, I highly recommend that you attach these two pieces of documents.
Whenever a recruitment campaign takes place, airlines receive thousands of applications from all over the world. An electronic application system helps them to screen through the applications and filter out the disqualified applicants in a few seconds using the computer. Thus, not all the applications get a chance to meet the eyes of the recruiter. These online applications contain quite a few of true or false, multiple choice type of questions, for the ease of computer screening. This translates to not a lot of in-depth information being provided by the applicants. Thus, supplying additional information, in the form of resume and cover letter would give you a competitive edge.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a letter that introduces the resume. A successful cover letter results in the resume being considered. A good cover letter for a flight attendant position should be precise, professional and accurate.
1. Precise - You don’t want a lengthy cover letter that covers every aspect of your resume, or irrelevant information. Aforementioned, the recruiters have piles of applications to review and they do not read every single word on every single cover letter. They highly appreciate short and crisp cover letters that highlight only the key points and attract them to read the enclosed resume.
2. Professional – Use professional cover letter format. It is very easy to find good cover letter templates on the internet. You should include a date, your name and complete address, the company’s name and address, the person you are writing to if you know their name, and your signature at the end. Read further for a good cover letter template.
3. Accurate – The work history you talk about on your cover letter should appear on your resume. If you say you have worked at another airline, the name should match the one on your resume. A lot of people make evitable errors on their cover letters. Use your spell check and grammar check, and proof-read your cover letter at least 5 times; you are likely to catch some errors until the 4th time. Then read the document out loud, you will catch more errors the computer missed. Another tip from my high school English teacher: read the cover letter backwards. Yes, read it backwards. You will be amazed at the amount of errors you can catch using this method. Some airline websites allow you to upload your typed cover letter (i.e. in Microsoft Words), type your cover letter in their text box, or do either. If you want to type in their text box, you should type your cover letter in a word processor first, do you spell checks and proof-reading there, and then copy and paste it in the text box.
Grade A Cover letter template
Below is a sample cover letter template for a flight attendant application. The length of a cover letter should not exceed one page.
Your Name
Your Address
Telephone Number
Email Address
Title
Name of Airline
Address of Airline
Opening paragraph: State why you are writing; how you learned of the position, and basic information about yourself.
2nd paragraph: Tell why you are interested in the airline you are applying. If you are applying to more than one airline and planning on using the same cover letter, you have to be very careful. You could use the same cover letter for a few airlines, but this paragraph has to be tailored to each airline (and of course, remember to change the name and address etc.) Demonstrate that you know about the airline as well as what the position entails, and how your previous experience and skills will benefit the company if you are accepted. Also, don’t forget to explain why you have chosen this specific airline; what is different about this airline that has attracted you to submit your application.
3rd paragraph: Indicate that you would appreciate an opportunity to interview this job. State that you would be glad to provide the employer with any additional information needed. Thank the employer for her/his consideration.
Sincerely,
Your name typed
Enclosure(s) (refers to resume)
* Adapted from http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm