Advice On Getting A Job As A Flight Attendant

by jonotron

posted on 06/08/2009

Does the idea of working a job that allows you to travel for work and meet interesting people appeal to you? Would being able to travel for free or cheaply to destinations all over the world be a perk you'd enjoy? If so perhaps you should become a flight attendant. Here are the steps you should take.
1) Type up a resume. It needs to look professional and you should have at least two years of customer service experience. You can hire a resume service online if you are having trouble making your resume look presentable or use a template.
* When writting your resume be sure to mention your education and if you have any languages other than english you can speak fluently make sure to mention them
2) Use the internet to find out which airlines are hiring. I recommend indeed.com.
**Pro Tip- Smaller Regional airlines might fly older planes and go to less exciting places, but they generally have a higher turn over rate and thus hire more frequently. You can often get based in a smaller city where rent is more reasonable. You can also get decent flight benefits as well. Many smaller airlines run "shuttle"" services and fly flights for a main line carrier (American, Delta, Continental etc) and you will usually get some degree of flight benefits with whatever larger airline the regional airline partners with. Smaller airlines are also a great place to get experience that will give you an edge when trying to get a job with a larger airline
3) Submit your application online. You will be contacted within two weeks in most cases if the airline does interview by appointment only.
4) Attend an open house. This is a group interview. Most of these are open to anyone who wants to apply and some are by invitation only.
5) Be prepared. Have several copies of your resume and recommendation letters if you can get any. Be dressed in a business fashion and look sharp. Do your "homework" and know some things about the airline you're applying for.

Open House Tips
* Show up early. Those who show up even a minute late are often not allowed to apply.
* You will need to know everywhere you have worked and lived for at least ten years. Bring this info with you.
* You will need to have several forms of ID
* During the introduction and also if you asked to read a Public announcement script. Speak Clearly and loud enough so everyone can hear you.
*If there is a group excercize or activity be a team player and do your best to show you work well with others.
* If during your group interview you are asked the infamous "Why do you want to be a flight attendant?" question or anything similar to it never say because you like to travel or you like to fly. That will put you out of the running. They want to find people who want to work there for more than just weekends in Paris and buddy passes.
* Above all else you must be willing to relocate to an assigned city. Some airlines even require you to live within a certain radius of the airport.
6) If you make it through the open house and one on one interview that usually takes place the same day you will either be offered a job on the spot or asked to attend another one on one interview.
7) If hired you might have to relocate. Understand that if you have to move you should be able to move back once you can hold a commutable schedule that will allow you to spend your days at home and fly to your base.
8) You will be given dates for training. You should bring business casual clothes and always show up a few minutes early to class.
* You want to focus on the class work and not be too social. Many airlines have a rather intimidating percentage of flight attendants who fail out of training.
* However you do want to introduce yourself to all your classmates and become somewhat familiar with them as this is a great time to find prospective room mates if you have to move.
9) Study, Study , Study. Especially your emergency drills.
10) pass all the tests
11) report to your base city and live the dream

Final Tips
*The last thing I want to say is that if you are determined to acquire a job as a flight attendant and keep applying you will find a job eventually.
*You do not need to attend a flight attendant school. I know there are many but this doesn't do very much for you and is not required as the airlines provide training.
* If you don't want to leave your home town consider applying to become a gate agent, ticket agent, or ramp agent at your local airport. You can often still get travel benefits but will have a less flexible schedule

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jtrombetti says:

(149d 16h 42min ago)