If your open house involves an individual interview, these are some of the most commonly asked questions. Make sure you practice your interview questions. All of your answers should be POSITIVE and answered in a confident and well-paced manner. You should answer the questions in complete sentences.
General questions
Why are you interested in becoming a flight attendant for (airline)?
This is the most common question. There are two parts to this question; why you want to become a flight attendant, and why did you choose this airline. Make sure your answer addresses both parts.
For part one, here are some suggested answers:
To fulfill a long time dream; to explore the world; to further utilize your customer service skills; to begin a career in one of the most fascinating industries-aviation; your desire to work in a flexible and spontaneous environment
Avoid:
I like the travel benefits; I like the days off; I think this is a glamorous job; I am jobless right now and I need some money to pay my rent; I don’t know what I want to do with my life; I am just accompanying a friend
For part two, you might want to say:
I would like to work for (Airline) as it is one of the best airlines in North American/the world/Asia etc.; as a long term passenger of (Airline) I truly think your airline is a great company to work for; I know that your airline has just recently received (Award), I am impressed with the reputation of your airline; I would like to work for an airline that emphasizes on excellent customer service and safety - it is unquestionable that (Airline) is my first choice
You should show that you have done some research on the airline you are applying to.
Hints: This is one of the most important questions and you must answer it right. You don’t have to be creative with this question; most likely everyone will have the same answer but that’s alright. Don’t think too long before you answer this question. You know why you want to be a flight attendant and that’s why you are there. I heard that there are people who have to think hard to answer this question at the interview, and this really gives the interviewer a negative impression.
Why did you quit your last job?
Airlines invest a lot of money in training new flight attendants, and they want the newbies to stay long. The answer to this question tells them a bit of your work history, the reasons behind you quitting your previous job (what you didn’t like about the job), and whether you would stay long with the airline.
Be honest. They might do a reference check with your previous employer to verify. However, you should always put a positive spin to your answer even if it was a negative experience. NEVER talk negatively.
Some examples include:
It was a contract position; you want to pursue your dream to becoming a flight attendant; your previous job doesn’t involve the level of customer service you are committed to.
What are some of the key responsibilities of a flight attendant?
This tells the interviewer whether you have done your homework and truly understand the job. Make sure you read the job description in the ad. The two key words you should mention in your answer are: safety (say this first) and customer service.
What are some of the qualities a good flight attendant possesses?
Again, SAFETY is the key. Say things like “A good flight attendant should be safety conscious, dependable, teamwork orientated and customer-focused.” Nowadays, safety is the top priority in aviation; airlines want you to understand your job is not just coffee-or-tea.
Behavioural questions
Your answers to these questions should cover SAR, which are:
S - SITUATION (tell them circumstances, what it was about)
A - ACTION (what you did, how you did it)
R - RESULTS (what the outcome was, impact, reactions)
Tell me a time when you had to make a difficult decision in a short period of time.
Flight attendants face new challenges everyday that require quick action. Your answer should demonstrate that you have the ability to handle stressful situations effectively. Speak of an experience that is safety and/or customer service related if you could.
Tell me a time when you went out of your way to assist a customer.
This tells the airline if you are flexible enough to go out of your way to benefit the customers. Be detailed and address the reasons why you decided to go out of your way.
Tell me a time when you had to deal with an irate customer.
Don’t speak negatively of the irate customer; rather, show that you were sympathetic and how you exercised creativity to assist the customer. Your action should have resulted in a win-win situation.
An example would be:
You worked as a cashier in the department store and an irate customer insisted on refunding a nonrefundable item. The customer wanted to see your manager right away. You showed sympathy and patiently explained to the customer that it is the company’s policy the item cannot be refunded. You made an effort to show the customer alternative items for exchange. Eventually, the customer found a more suitable item for exchange and he appreciated your help. The problem was solved without involving the manager.
Use positive adjectives when answering behavioural questions.
More questions will be posted soon…..
Related articles:
Commonly asked open house interview questions – individual interview (continued)
Applying for a flight attendant position – choosing the right airline
Applying for a flight attendant position - cover letter
Height requirement
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