The Interview at an Airline Company

As soon as an airline receives your application/CV/letter, it will look at your experience and qualifications and check whether you have submitted all the information required. Leave anything out and it's into the wpb with your application so check, check and check again before you send off any form. Around 80 per cent of applicants receive a 'no' on the basis of their written application.

Telephone interviews

Sometimes you will be given a telephone interview before you even fill in an application form. So before you call, think of the '60 second test'. In one minute summarize:

• Why do you want to work for the airline?
  
  
• Why do you think you will make a good team member?
  
  
• What experience have you had that fits you for working with the public?
  
  
• What skills can you bring to the airline if it employs you?
  

Don't go on too long - people talk themselves out of a job by talking too much.

Tip!

If the form doesn't arrive, you've failed. So phone again, but be better prepared.

Pre-interview

Good preparation is the way to overcome interview nerves. Familiarity breeds contentment in this case.

• Find out about the company - if it is a large company, phone the company secretary and ask for copy of the annual report.
  
  
• Look at its Web site (if it has one).
  
  
• Look at the Telegraph, Times, Financial Times, etc. Web sites for info about the company, especially in the financial pages.
  
  
• Ask friends if they know anyone working for the company.
  
  
• Lay out clothes the night before.
  
  
• ALWAYS plan to arrive at least one hour in advance - you have that time spared if there is a hold-up.
  
  
• Check the address - the interview may not be held at company offices.
  
  
• Take a spare copy of your CV plus one for you to check what you have said.
  

If you have heard about horrendous interview techniques, you might like to know that the sadists who devised these are being told intimidation does not get the best out of a workforce. Its' reassurance and confidence building that are the buzzwords today', according to Suzy Siddons, author of Developing Your People.

At the interview

Companies look for:

• A team worker;
  
  
• Stamina;
  
  
• Smart appearance;
  
  
• Ability to 'think on your feet';
  
  
• Good communication skills;
  
  
• Customer service experience and experience of dealing with the public;
  
  
• Common sense;
  
  
• Good spoken and written English;
  
  
• Literacy and numeracy;
  
  
• Outgoing personality;
  
  
• Enthusiasm and flexible approach.
  

Most airlines operate a 'group' interview, which can take a complete day and might include:

1. A welcome and introduction to the company;
   
   
2. A written test - short questions on literacy and numeracy;
   
   
3. A face-to-face interview in front of a panel;
   
   
4. Group interaction and 'games'.
   

Check if the airline wants anything else e.g. KLM asks you to give a short talk about yourself.

Tip!

Think of any charity work you have done, and make sure you mention this. At a recent interview in Liverpool, out of 300 applicants, every one of the 19 chosen had carried out some work for a charity.

Interview advice

During the day, the written test usually includes general knowledge questions. What are the capital cities of European countries, which countries are in the European Union, what is chief currency? What is the name of the chairman of the airline for which you wish to work?

Don't know? Well start reading a quality newspaper every day and if you are on the Internet get into the habit of visiting the Financial Times and other financial news Web sites. You will be surprised at what you can find when you key in 'airline' or 'airport'. Read trade magazines (listed at the end of the book).

You will be tested on literacy and numeracy. This will - include doing sums converting from one currency to another, so make sure you keep up to date with various European currencies and what they are worth. Look these up in the business section of a good newspaper. If you forget them, just say 'I looked this up in the Telegraph this morning, but I've forgotten' Read through the questions several times there are lots of trick questions. For example in the numeracy test, you may be asked to give equivalents for £2 not £1.

Dress smartly. This means a suit or jacket and trousers if you are male, and a tie (can be colorful but clean with no food stains!). Not too much jewelry; if in doubt leaves it off. And no visible body piercing or tattoos.

Women should wear a suit, jacket and skirt or smart dress. If you are happier wearing a trouser suit, that is all right, but it must look business-like. Wear make-up, but nothing glittery; nails can have discreet nail polish but again nothing too flash. Not too much jewelry; if in doubt leaves it off. No visible body piercing or tattoos. If you are wearing nail polish, take the bottle for touch-ups in case you chip a nail.

ALWAYS make sure your shoes are clean and polished. And no, trainers are not acceptable. Make sure nails are well groomed and clean (you would be surprised how many interviewers take a good look at your hands).

Tip!

If you have to wear a coat and/or carry an umbrella, make sure you leave this outside the interview room. Clutter drops around you.

You are going to feel nervous. The interview panel will be expecting this. They don't like cocky applicants who know it all, but will make allowances for nervousness. If you think you are making a bad impression, take a deep breath and start again.

Tip!

During the interview day a nice person may give you an amusing and interesting account of the history of the company. Most people relax and laugh when this happens. Pay attention! At the end of a tiring day, you will be given a paper asking you questions about what he or she told you. Sneaky!

For certain jobs, you will be tested on your reaction to stress: don't be frightened. In a recent survey, workers in stressful jobs showed that they are able to rest and relax when they need to; stress was seen as part of the job - which can get the adrenaline going.

What else will be covered?

If you haven't been interviewed before, a good interview panel will get you to relax by asking questions about your back! Ground, education, work experience, general career expectations, hobbies and leisure activities. Answer truthfully, but don't go on too long your enthusiasm can take up too much of the panel's time, and you don't get a chance to answer other questions that might help your application.

So what happens if you have made a hash of the interview? That means you are human, and it is often what interviews are all about. The 'too perfect' candidate can actually get up an interviewer's nose; they expect you to be worried and nervous, and if you aren't, or come over as too cocky, you will be turned down. 'Team players' are what are wanted, not individuals who want the boss's job - that comes once you are working!

If you are not successful, use the interview experience, apply to other airlines, and keep on. Or apply again - often the same airline will accept you if you are a year older. Time and time again when interviewing people for this book, they said that they had been turned down - some several times. Be persistent!

Tip!

Beware - one well-known airline will ask you at the end of a long day to try on its uniform. If you are female you will also receive a complete make-up. You think all this attention means you have the job. WRONG. It is to see if you look good in the uniform. If your skin clashes with its bright house colours, then it is No-No.

What happens if you are successful at interview? Well Done! You now go on the appropriate training or induction course at the start of your career! GOOD LUCK!