Flight Attendant Employment Follow Up Interviews

One-on-One Interview

This is the most common type of interview during the flight attendent employment process. Depending on the airline, it could be your first or last interview; in some cases, a one-on-one may be the only type of interview you have to experience.

Two-on-One or Panel Interview

During a two-on-one (or panel) interview, you will have to direct your attention to two people rather than one. The two-on-one interview may take place the same day as an open house interview; however, it could take place at a later date. During a two-on-one, you will be asked more specific questions than at an open interview (assuming you attend one), and it will generally take a great deal longer; some two-on-one's can last up to 3 hours!

The Return Interview

A return interview can be a "follow-up," after an open house interview, or the second or third in a series of individual interviews. Getting called for a "second (or third) look" is a very positive sign; you are being given serious consideration for flight attendent employment.

You should have a great deal of confidence when preparing for your return interview. You have passed the most difficult part of the flight attendent employment process. You have been singled out from a pool of several hundred applicants and you know that they like you. Now it is your job to assure them that they have made the right decision by inviting you back.

Video Tests

Oftentimes, during a one-on-one, two-on-one, or group interview, you will be required to take a video test. Typically, several vignettes are shown on videotape that feature flight attendants who are forced to handle difficult in-flight situations (e.g., deal with disruptive passengers, endure medical emergencies, etc.).

Your job, after watching each clip, is to critique the way each flight attendant handles the particular situation. If you are in a group environment, group discussion will be permitted followed by a group critique. Obviously, if you watch the video alone, you will need to respond using your own judgement.

If you have a solid understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a flight attendant, along with the specific desirable qualities of a flight attendant, these types of tests should be fairly easy to handle.

Written Tests

At most airlines, during your first or second interview, you can expect to take a series of aptitude tests. Some of these are very similar to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). You could be tested on a variety of subjects, including basic math, reading comprehension, spelling, and analogies. Many of the tests are timed. If you have had a great deal of success on standardized tests, you should not worry.

On the other hand, if these types of tests tend to trouble you, you should pick up an aptitude test preparation guide (or comparable computer program) for assistance. Beyond aptitude tests, you might also be given motor skills and/or psychological tests.

Other kinds of interviews and interview questions

There are many types of interview questions, but one of the most common types now being used at most interviews is the "Behavioral Question."

A behavioral question is one that asks you about a past experience. Human resource managers and flight attendant recruiters feel that one's actions in handling past experiences can be a good measure of future success.

The behavioral question is usually a three-part question. The first part asks about the specific experience; the second asks how you handled it; and the third part asks for the outcome.

There is a specific technique to answering behavioral questions and the interview is not the place to begin thinking about how to answer them. That should begin long before you are even called for an interview. Before your interview, you should go through your life's timeline, trying to remember experiences that stand out in your mind. Then write down the ones that you feel would relate to the flight attendant position.

Behavioral questions must be answered in three parts and should tell a story lasting no more than two minutes. The story should have a beginning, a middle and an end. In other words, you should state the (1) experience, (2) how you handled it, and (3) the outcome.

You should also be very specific using times, dates, names and anything else that is appropriate to get your point across. Obviously, the story should show the interviewer your strengths and not your weaknesses, so try to be selective in choosing the story you want to talk about (the reason for the list you made up earlier).

Here are a few examples of behavioral questions that you may encounter in an interview.

1. Give an example of a situation where you had to handle a disgruntled customer and the outcome.

2. Give an example of a situation where you were not being supported by your employer and how you handled it.

3. Give an example of a situation where you had to go the extra mile to please a customer.

The Scenario Interview Question

This type of question is used by many of the major airlines, typically at the second or third interview. The scenario question gives you a situation that you may encounter while working as a flight attendant. It is basically a problem-solving question, requiring you to explain how you would handle various scenarios.

When answering a scenario question, you should realize that the airline very often will favor the passenger in most situations. Even if you don't agree with the answer, you should basically offer a solution that shows your interest in the safety and comfort of each and every passenger. When composing your answers, always relate to the desirable qualities of a flight attendant.

Most of the scenario questions will put you in a situation on an airplane where a passenger has a problem. Here are a few of the more common scenario questions being asked at interviews. What would you say or do in each of these cases?

A passenger in the coach cabin says he noticed that the passengers in the first-class cabin were given newspapers and he would like one too.

A woman changes her infant's diaper during the meal service and asks that you dispose of the dirty diaper for her.

A man is making a business call on the in-flight telephone. He complains to you that he can't hear because the baby next to him won't stop crying.

Most of the scenario questions will put you in a situation on an airplane where a passenger has a problem. Here are a few of the more common scenario questions being asked at interviews with our recommended answers.

Question 1: A passenger in the coach cabin says he noticed that the passengers in the first-class cabin were given newspapers and he would like one too.

Answer: You should explain to the passenger that one of the amenities offered to first class passengers is a complimentary newspaper and that in reality they are paying for that paper because of the increased ticket price. You should also say that you will do your best to accommodate him by finding a newspaper for him, perhaps from someone in the coach cabin that is finished reading their copy.

Question 2: A woman changes her infant's diaper during the meal service and asks that you dispose of the dirty diaper for her.

Answer: You should advise the passenger that you would be happy to dispose of the diaper at the conclusion of the meal service. You could also recommend that the passenger dispose of the diaper herself in the lavatory. In either case, you should recommend that she put the diaper inside an airsickness bag prior to disposal.

Question 3: A man is making a business call on the in-flight telephone. He complains to you that he can't hear because the baby next to him won't stop crying.

Answer: If the flight is not completely full, you should ask the passenger if he would like to change seats and relocate to a quieter location. If he is not willing to move, you could also ask the person with the baby if she would mind moving.

If it is a full flight, you might consider having one of them trade seats with another passenger. If all else fails, you could ask the passenger with the baby to temporarily leave the man alone so he could make his call, perhaps walking the baby up and down the aisle.

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