by Kiki Ward
There are several ways to research and choose the airline to which you apply. In the back of this guide is a list of most major, charter, commuter and regional airlines, along with their current requirements, addresses, hotline numbers, base listings, application methods and internet addresses. The internet site of an airline is an exceptional way to research and learn details about the airline itself.
Deciding on your airline of choice may be based on several factors including cities where the airline operates bases, the reputation and stability of the airline and pay and benefits offered by the airline. If you are just interested in beginning a flight attendant career, (as I was) and have tremendous flexibility as far as relocation, apply to them all! Each time you interview will be experience for you. Many of my readers have ended up fielding offers from several airlines and others have interviewed multiple times until they found the perfect fit. Many are hired on the first interview, which makes it very easy. I believe there is an airline home for everyone. Each airline is very unique and you just need to find the airline where you feel most comfortable.
Benefits and flying opportunities are going to be greatly enhanced if you choose to fly with a major airline but there are many opportunities in commuter and corporate flying as well. Commuter and regional airlines often offer bases in much smaller cities allowing you to avoid the major city relocation issue. Many flight attendants use the commuters as sort of a stepping stone to the majors and many flight attendants are career commuter flight attendants who love working in a smaller atmosphere and never moving on to major airline flying. It is all a matter of personal preference.
Corporate flying is also available and corporate flight attendant positions are often occupied by former airline flight attendants. To apply for a corporate flying position you must in most cases appear in person with a resume. Many upscale corporate positions flying for celebrities or other wealthy aircraft owners exist on the east and west coast and at general aviation airports throughout the country. I have friends who fly for everyone from movie stars to the heads of major movie studios and it is a very demanding position but allows them to avoid relocating and to work for only one person. These positions are normally filled through ads placed by aircraft management companies.
Major and commuter airlines are employing various methods of applying, but are definitely streamlining the process and making it very easy to apply. Current application methods include:
-Completing an electronic pre-screening via a designated toll free number or via the airline website. A social security number is required in order to complete the questionnaire. Once you have successfully completed the pre-screening you are either sent an application, invited to submit a resume or invited to attend an interview.
-Some airlines simply require that an applicant request an application via mail or telephone.
-Some airlines accept resumes via mail, fax or via their website.
-Some airlines will allow you to simply choose a convenient open house session from the airline website postings and register online to attend.
-Some airlines allow you to secure a spot for an open house interview via telephone. Open house listings also appear in area newspapers or on the airline website.
-Most airlines charge a small fee to process your application or resume. This fee is normally between $15.00-$25.00 and must be enclosed with your application or resume unless otherwise noted.
The application
In some cases your application must be requested by mail. This letter will not only be your initial contact with the airline but will also become a part of your application file. Be sure your application letter is neat and legible, preferably typed. Be sure it is grammatically correct and be sure it includes your objective of becoming a flight attendant.
Always include a statement about your willingness to relocate, your excitement about interviewing with the airline and always enclose a self addressed stamped envelope if you send the letter via mail. You can expect a wait of two to six weeks for the application to arrive. The wait time may be more or less depending on the volume of correspondence the airline is handling. If there is no response within the approximate time, send out another request letter. Use the following sample as guide when composing your own application request letter.
Date
Your name
Complete address
Phone number with area code
Airline name Airline address
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to request an application for the position of flight attendant with (airline name). I am familiar with and meet all of the requirements for employment in this capacity with your airline. I feel I possess the initiative and enthusiasm that would allow me to perform as an excellent flight attendant and representative of (airline name). I am also willing to relocate.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to an opportunity to meet with you at a future date.
Sincerely,
Your name
Remember that an application request letter is not always required. Check the specific application procedure for the airline you are applying to.
If you successfully complete an electronic recruitment form in order to receive your application, you can expect a wait often days to two weeks in most cases before your application arrives.
It’s here!
When the airline application arrives set aside some time in your day when you can really focus on the application. In the initial application airlines are screening for good character, an excellent work and attendance history and the ability and willingness to relocate. Read the application over a time or two and think about your answers before you begin filling it out. Some applications will require that you only fill in a bubble with the appropriate response. On applications or areas of applications that require text, be meticulous. Write on your application only if you have excellent penmanship otherwise type it. Be sure that all pertinent information including your personal address and phone number are permanent enough that the airline could reach you there six months to a year after you submit the application. Be complete, as any omission of dates or spaces left blank will in most cases be grounds for immediate discarding of your application.
If your application includes essay type questions be sure your answers are confined to the space given unless an option to attach an additional sheet is given. Never make margin inserts or additions once you have completed the answer. Likely essay questions include questions about you, your best qualities, jobs you have held in the past, why you want to be a flight attendant for the airline, etc.. Practice your answer on another sheet of paper and then transfer it to the application once you are completely satisfied with it. Answer the essay questions as clearly and as concisely as possible. The essay question/s will have a big impact on the application screener. The screener will be looking for your ability to communicate your thoughts as well as get some insight into your personality. These are the first impressions you will be able to make. Helpful adjectives to use when describing yourself or the qualities you possess that would make you a good flight attendant include: responsible, motivated, energetic, flexible, personable, adaptable, self-motivated, self-directed, enthusiastic, service oriented, excellent communicator, possessing initiative, dependable, professional.
When including references from former employers or personal references be sure to include those that you are sure will give you a favorable reference. All references are thoroughly checked. Try to highlight references from customer service oriented jobs you have held. Remember, even fast food work involves customer service so no matter your position include your customer service work! If you have lapses in your employment be sure you are able to account for those lapses.
Emphasize any special qualities you have if given the opportunity. Include volunteer, charitable work or extracurricular activities you have been involved with especially if your work history is limited.
Complete all questions re
garding education completely. If given the opportunity, Include your “life experience”. Include any foreign languages you speak fluently. (Remember, you will be tested if you claim a language capability.)
Complete all questions regarding your previous and current employment thoroughly. These are really the most important questions on the application. If given questions about reasons why you wish to leave your current employer always speak positively about your current job. Simply reiterate your desire to become a flight attendant. Never refer to your past or current employer negatively. Be positive and upbeat in all of your answers.
Answer any questions about your overall health honestly and completely. You must successfully pass a company physical as a condition of employment. Remember as I stated earlier, if you take a prescription medication it does not necessarily disqualify you from consideration.
State that you are willing to accept the current rate of pay on any question concerning salary. Flight attendant salaries are not negotiated individually but are set in place through company/union negotiation or by the airline itself if the flight attendants are not unionized.
A great little tactic that many people are not aware of is to enclose a small, tasteful, flattering photo of yourself with your application, preferably a head shot. This allows the screener to put a face with the application and will help make your application stand out.
Be sure your application is thoroughly completed and accurate before mailing or faxing it in. If there is a statement to sign that allows the airline to contact your current employer, be sure you sign it. Many of my readers are concerned about allowing their employer to be contacted and possibly jeopardizing their current position before they have even interviewed with the airline. But in most cases, the airline is not going to be contacting your employer until after you have interviewed. Proofread to be sure there are no discrepancies in dates of employment, education or any questions left unanswered. Completion is imperative! Some airlines send along a self-addressed post card that is then returned to you upon receipt of your application. If the airline you apply to does not, then send your application in via registered mail only if the airline accepts registered mail and you won’t have to worry about whether or not the airline received your application.
The resume and cover letter Many airlines require resumes as opposed to sending out applications. Most airlines that accept resumes will accept them via mail, fax or even e-mail. Some airlines who hold only open houses and will usually ask that you bring along a resume. When applying to an airline that accepts only resumes, utilize the standard business resume procedures. Many computer programs have a resume format built in, allowing you to simply insert your personal information and there are numerous other resources available to help you build a professional resume. One major airline site even has a resume builder built in! The basics of any professional resume are these: First, always submit a typed, clean looking resume and be meticulous in your punctuation and grammar. Secondly, be sure to optimize your objective, which is becoming a flight attendant for the airline.
The resume will give you a unique opportunity to market yourself. Take advantage of this by including an enthusiastic, professional cover letter. Your resume will include information about you and your work history, so make the cover letter concise and personable. The cover letter also allows the screener to get a glimpse of your personality and your professionalism. Do take note that some airlines will state that you need not enclose a cover letter with your resume, but very few. In that case, follow those directions. But in most cases you will be sending along a cover letter. Your cover letter should briefly summarize your work history, include your job objective and the reasons you desire employment with the airline. Use the adjectives mentioned earlier when describing yourself and use some of the following adjectives when referring to the airline itself: successful, stable, reputable, outstanding. Don’t forget to include your willingness to relocate, it is essential! Also include the fact that you are familiar with and meet all of the requirements for the flight attendant position. Include a sentence or two about your eagerness and enthusiasm at the prosect of interviewing with the airline.
Use the following cover letter as guide when composing your own cover letter.
Date
Your name
Complete address
Phone number with area code
Airline name Airline address
Dear Sir/Madam,
Please find enclosed my resume for the position of flight attendant with (airline name). I am currently employed with_and have worked previously in_.
I have always had a tremendous interest in the flight attendant career and am familiar with and meet all of the requirements for employment with (airline name) in the capacity of flight attendant. I am also willing to relocate.
I am impressed with the outstanding reputation of (airline name) and know I possess the enthusiasm and initiative that would allow me to be an excellent representative of your airline.
I am excited about the prospect of meeting and interviewing with you at a future date.
Sincerely,
Your name
The resume itself should be kept as concise as possible. Try and keep your resume at one page, two maximum. Include only relevant facts. If your work history is quite long, try and extract and emphasize the customer service work you have been involved in. Include your employment objective. Include all educational and work history, emphasizing your customer service work. Include any unique talents or qualities you possess and any languages you speak fluently. Charity work, volunteer work, even hobbies can be included.
Briefly describe some of your accomplishments, ambitions and strengths, especially if your work history is limited. Don’t be modest, this is your opportunity to sell yourself and your good qualities! A resume will not allow you to be prompted by questions the way an application will, so you must include why you would like to be and what would make you an exceptional flight attendant for the airline. Again, refer to the adjectives mentioned earlier when describing yourself and the airline.
Finally, read the resume yourself. Make sure it sounds interesting to you. If not, reword it or rewrite it, until it does. Again, this is your opportunity to market yourself. Be sure the resume isn’t too long and includes mostly relevant fact. Make sure you haven’t left out any crucial parts of your work history. If mailing, submit the resume in a large envelope, unfolded, with proper postage attached. Send the resume via registered mail if you would like to ensure the safe arrival of your resume. As mentioned, many airlines will also accept resumes via e-mail or by fax. Follow the directives given by the airline in those instances. One more thing…
Above all never try to deceive the airline to which you are applying on either your application or resume. Airlines look for genuine applicants with a very responsible work ethic. A good work history and past attendance record are paramount in being considered for the flight attendant position.
Fax, email or mail your application as soon as possible after completing it. Each day more applications and resumes are arriving at the airlines and you must be in the running if you are interested in winning the race. Expect a wait of two to four weeks for a response. You will normally receive an invitation to interview or a letter stating that you will not be interviewed at this time. If in two months you have not heard from the airline write, fax or email a friendly, professional inquiry as to the status of your application or resume. You will be making the effort as well as demonstrating your extreme interest in the position. Many airlines will state how long they will keep your resume or application on file, usually six to twelve months, in which time you may reapply.
Chapter five The interview
Once your application or resume has been screened and accepted you will be contacted either via mail or telephone to set up an interview.
If you are attending an open house interview you will in most cases be asked to bring a copy of your resume with you or fill out an application
at the open house as this will be your initial contact with the airline. In many cases, an interview scheduled by the airline will require that you travel to the city in which the airline is headquartered to interview. If you are being invited to an interview, the airline will often provide transportation to the interview for you. If you are attending an open house you will be responsible for transportation to the interview.
Open house interviews
Many airlines are now conducting open house interviews (or information sessions) as open houses give the airline the opportunity to meet a great number of applicants in a short period of time. Airlines who are conducting open house interviews are normally holding them around the country each month. As mentioned you will most likely be asked to bring along a resume. Open houses are normally held in large hotels or conference centers in major cities. Again, transportation to an open house is not provided by the airline.