Becoming A Flight Attendant and What You Should Know

It is rush hour on a Monday morning and you are still snuggled in bed as the aroma of rosemary and peppermint diffuses in the air. You've made plans to attend yoga class then stop by one of your favorite juice bars later that morning. Then, maybe later that afternoon you'll put a few hours into your side business before you grab appetizers with friends. Sounds like the typical Monday? Perhaps... But this is life as a flight attendant...

Being a Flight attendant can offer you are a great deal of flexibility, which is one of the perks in this career. It is definitely different than the typically 9-5 job. You have the option of picking up or swapping trips and working as much or as little as you so desire. Imagine being in one country one day and waking up in totally different country the next. Though there are many pros with being a flight attendant, there are also a lot of cons, from flight delays, re-routes etc, but in my opinion, I will have to say that the pros outweigh the cons. Everyday is not always glamorous and some will say the lifestyle is definitely not for them. But to each their own; the lifestyle is certainly not for everyone, especially if you do not like changes, adapting to new environments is a challenge and you are very firm on routine. It all boils down to who you are as an individual.

Maybe you've been wanting to become a flight attendant because you love to travel, because of the flexibility or simply because you want to network and expand your horizons. These are all great reasons, but there are a few things you should know before you apply.

Before you Apply

First thing first, you may want to ask yourself "Why do I want to become a flight attendant?" and "Am I ready for that lifestyle change?". Though it may seem like it, applying to an airline is not rocket science or no secret. The process is a bit similar to applying to any other job. However, there are more steps than the norm and A LOT of competition. Believe it or not, according to statistics, becoming a flight attendant is often more difficult than getting accepted into Harvard University. Don't think this is true? Every year there are well over 100,000 applications to a single airline, but only one percent will get accepted because there is only so many positions. Don't be intimidated by this though! You can very well be in that one percentage because you too have what it takes! You may find that your process may take longer than some or you may have to apply more than once if you don't get accepted on your first try, but if it's what you really want to do, don't stop trying. I have met several people who have told me that they had to apply more than once before they finally got a CJO (Contingent job offer). Some have been fortunate enough to have gotten accepted on the first try. Whatever your process may be, don't stop believing and don't stop trying.

You should always make it a habit to have an updated resume saved and handy whether or not you are seeking new employment. It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared. Have you ever heard of the law of average? Where more equals more? In other words, If you are trying to get your foot in the door of becoming a flight attendant, you may want to start applying to as many airlines as possible, even if it is not your top pick. The more you apply to different airlines, you build momentum and the more your chances are of landing a face-to-face interview and getting a CJO. Having a college education it not a must (though it is preferred) and even if you do not have much customer service skills, you may still be able to make the cut; they will train you. What you want to focus on bringing to the table is a fantastic attitude, a great smile, confidence and professionalism. But before you even get to the face-to-face you may have to successfully pass what is called a video interview.

The Video Interview

For the most part, these video interviews are typically scheduled once they see you as a good candidate. It may be a recorded video interview first, then if you are successful with that, you may be invited to do a live video interview with someone from the hiring team. But before we go any further, here are some tips to help you nail your video interview, because your goal is to make it to the face-to-face interview right?. A lot of candidates end up making mistakes during the video interview that hinder their progress to getting to the face-to-face interview. Even though this is a video interview, you still want to be professional. Wear something that you would wear to the actual face-to-face interview. Stick with neutral colors and avoid loud colors. Ensure that you have good lighting and that there are no distractions around (yes, you may need to find a babysitter), ensure that your background also has minimal distractions; a plain wall is preferred, that way the focus is solely on you. A huge mistake that a lot of candidates make is looking at themselves on the phone/computer screen. You want to focus on the lens itself and not the screen. This may sound trivial, but trust me, It makes a huge difference. If you don't have the discipline to not look at your screen, a great suggestion is to dim the background light on your screen.

The Face-to-Face Interview

Yes! You have made it pass the video interview and have been invited to the face-to-face interview. The FTF interview is typically in the state of that particular airline headquarters. Yes, this means you more than likely have to fly there. But don't fret just yet. You will be flown there and back home by the airline you are interviewing with. Now, you may be wondering, what should you wear. You definitely want to keep it classy and professional. If you have any second guesses, that may be an indication that it needs to stay in your closet. For males, you may want to go with a full suit and a tie (keep the colors neutral) get a fresh cut and clean shave. Just keep it simple. Now for my females, finding the right outfit and looking the part may take a bit more effort. Ensure that your hair is well groomed and keep your hair out of your face. Your interviewers want to see you. You cannot go wrong with buns; they give a classic look. Another good rule of thumb is to keep your hair well above the hook of your bra strap in the center of your back. Pearls are also nice. You want to stick with earrings that do not hang. Definitely stay away from the hoops! A bit of red lipstick helps those pearly whites to shine brighter. I know not every woman is into makeup, but wearing at least a little something will help to bring out those beautiful features in your face. If you are wearing a dress or skirt, ensure that it is at least knee length and oh, don't forget those pantyhose!

Now that you look the part, all that is left for you to do is show up, show out and shine as if you were meant to be there. From the moment you step foot on the property, you want to be mindful of your attitude and keep a smile on your face. Remember, someone is always watching and they see you before you see them. There may be dozens of other potential candidates, but do not be intimidated by this. Remember why you are there and what makes you stand out. Maintain a great attitude no matter what and don't stop smiling.

The Offer

Now that you have nailed that interview, you may receive your CJO on the spot, or they may send you an email in the future. If you end up leaving without an offer on the spot, the wait can seem for ever. Don't simply sit and wait, if you haven't maxed out on your opportunities, take the time to submit even more applications while you wait and if for whatever reason, you get rejected by your dream airline, apply as soon as the next application window opens up again. It is always worth it taking another shot at it. Once you finally receive your CJO, you will be invited to flight attendant training that can be anywhere from 4-8 weeks of intense training. It will require some sacrifice, but it will certainly be worth it.

Wishing you the best of luck as you pursue this new journey. Be sure to share with any aspiring flight attendant that you know. Looking forward to seeing you in the skies.

A special shout out and thanks to my flight attendant friends for letting me feature their fabulous photos!

Shonte | @chixhateme (Top Row, Left)

Allison | @allison__12 (Top Row, Middle)

Lachae | @lifeaslachae (Top Row, Right)

Roxie | @respect_the_crown

Aaliyah | @blkgrljoy

Ben | @BD_95

Zoi | @justskinn

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