In this article, we will explore both Open Days and Assessment Days, with a detailed description of how to present yourself for these events and what to expect to happen.
Open Days
Open Days are information sessions that give you an idea of what it is like to work for the airline. The recruiters will present the base city, airline destinations, and expansion plans. You will also hear from the cabin crew about what it is like to live and work there.
Who can participate
Walk into any of the Open Days happening all over the world. You don’t have to submit your application before you attend. Candidates are advised to read the requirements and arrive at the Open Day venue by the start time to register.
How to present yourself
Go to the Open Day as you would go for the interview. That means business attire. Ladies should wear a skirt suit, skin-colored pantyhose, and closed high-heeled shoes. Put on some light makeup and neatly arrange your hair. Gentlemen opt for a business suit with a collared shirt and tie, polished shoes, and short and neatly groomed hair.
Learn more about how to dress for the interview here.
How long will it take
The time will be advertised on the airline’s careers website. 9:00 a.m. means that at 09:00 a.m. sharp, the presentation is set to begin. The etiquette requires you to be there at least 30 minutes before the set time, find your way to the conference room, and get acquainted with the rest of the candidates. If you are late, they will tell you to go home. If you can't show up in time for your job interview, what are the chances you will show up for your flights?
The process
You will watch informative videos about the airline and its city, and the recruiters might answer audience questions. Taking notes is a great way to show your interest.
If you like what you see in the videos and consider the airline a suitable employer, you can proceed to the next step.
Documents to bring
Your CV and photos are the standard documents required, as well as a copy of your passport (or national ID card) and your highest educational diploma. For the exact requirements for each airline, refer to the official careers website of the airline you wish to apply to.
You will be asked to hand over your printed documents for some airlines. While the recruiter goes through your CV, they might ask you to do the reach and height tests (212 cm vertical arm reach and a minimum of 160 cm height for Emirates and Etihad; 212 cm arm reach for Qatar Airways). They will then ask questions regarding your resume (experience, education, etc.) and give you a reference number.
Other airlines will ask for digital copies of your documents.
The recruiter will inform you of the next step.
Advantages
This is your chance to shine if you are confident in making excellent first impressions. Even if you have less experience than the other candidates, the airline might choose you to participate in the assessment day because of your charisma.
Disadvantages
Some locations have over 1000 candidates participating in the Open Day. Some candidates do not even know they must wear business attire or bring photographs; however, they show up. All of them will be given a chance to drop off their CV.
If the airline did not select your CV during the Open Day, you could only participate in another Open Day after six months, regardless of the location.
Assessment Days
The assessment is the actual cabin crew hiring method, though it is not just the classic one-on-one interview where you sit down and answer questions from the airline representative. The assessment day is an “assessment center.” It has different stages, each followed by an elimination round. Successful candidates will advance to the next level, similar to the shows American Idol and Survivor.
Who can participate
You can participate in an assessment day if you applied online on the airline’s career website and your application was shortlisted. That means that your profile (experience and education, language skills, and interpersonal skills) matches the ideal profile of a potential flight attendant. Now, you only have to prove that your personality will match the job description and the airline.
How to present yourself
Whenever you go for an interview, you must look spotless: professional, clean-cut, elegant, and fitting the job description. Read the blog on how to dress for Assessment Day.
How long will it take
The assessment day usually starts at 9 AM and finishes around 6 PM. Be on time, bring water and food, and be yourself. Don’t worry too much about being and showing that you are nervous. It is a common indicator that getting this job is important to you. You will forget all about the nerves once the day starts.
The process
The assessment day usually begins with an introduction, followed by a group exercise, an English Test, and sometimes a personality profile test. Successful candidates will get the invitation to the next stage. Unsuccessful candidates will be asked to leave the assessment day after the stage they did not pass.
The last stage of the assessment is the Final Interview. This can be one-on-one (with one interviewer and one candidate) or two-on-one (with two interviewers and one candidate). Before the big day, review the 25 Questions and Answers for the Cabin Crew Final Interview.
Documents to bring
Bring a copy of your CV, application photos, and other documents the airline asks you to provide.
Advantages
Participating in an assessment day means that your CV meets the minimum requirements for the job and that you are already considered a desirable candidate for this position. During the assessment day, you will only have to show your personality – there is no waiting in line wondering if your CV looks good enough or if your photos are acceptable.
Also, if you are not successful through one of the stages, you will know precisely what to focus on improving for the next time.
Disadvantages
You must demonstrate competence throughout the assessment day, which is divided into different stages. Being fluent in English and confident that you will pass the English test is not enough; if you cannot demonstrate your ability to work well in a team during the group exercise, the assessment will end there.
If you fail at any stage of the Assessment Day, you can reapply after six months.
Check out the recruitment events for Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways
Regardless of which recruitment event is organized in your country, you must remember that the key to success is PREPARATION. Read, get information, and know what is expected of you during the day, and you will become a cabin crew!