5 Tips to Become A Flight Attendant and Land A CJO
Real tips on how to receive a Conditional Job Offer (CJO) to become a flight attendant on your first try.
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Becoming a flight attendant isn’t as easy as it looks but it is achievable. Most people may think that flight attendants only serve drinks, meals, and smiles. However, a flight attendant is responsible for the safety of all passengers and is trained to save passenger’s lives.
First, I will explain a little bit about the hiring process. Once you submit your resume online and do an online assessment you either get chosen to move to the next step or not. If you do you will receive an invite to answer interview questions on a recorded video from the comfort of your home. If you are a LOD (language of destination ) you will have an additional online language test with a live person to test your language skills.
Then once you pass the video interview, you will be asked to do a face-to-face interview. The airline, in most cases, will fly you out to the interview there is at least one airline that will not fly candidates out for interviews. At each airline, you will have to pay for your hotel or fly out on the same day of the interview. Airlines love candidates who have customer service experience and if you have a medical or military background that is a plus. If you are a Realtor, like me, and you have been an entrepreneur, airlines like that because they need people who can be independent as you will be flying all over the world without a manager there to micromanage you. With that said, the tips below will help you pass your face-to-face interview with flying colors. But first here are some of the requirements you need before you apply for the Flight Attendant position:
- High school graduate or GED required
- MUST BE 20 years of age to begin the interview process.
- 1 to 2 years of customer service experience preferred
- Must be able to lift 20 to 50 lbs and push beverage carts.
- A valid passport is required,
- You must have the ability to travel in and out of the United States, and the ability to travel to all current and future international destinations
- Must present a neat professional appearance and demeanor including adhering to Inflight uniform and appearance guidelines, including no visible tattoos or multiple piercings.
- Must be willing to relocate to an assigned base location
- Must be willing to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours when needed
- Must be willing to travel for long periods as part of the job
- Must be willing to change and adapt to meet the demands of the job, including accepting schedule changes on short notice
- Must be willing to fly both international and domestic routes
Landing a Conditional Job Offer (CJO) from an airline is a dream for many. Receiving a CJO requires preparation, dedication, and a little luck. I recently landed 3 CJOs from different airlines and here are my top tips on how you can receive a CJO as well.
- Invest In Your Appearance
Flight attendants are the face of the company. As shallow as it sounds I realized how important looks are when I went for my first interview with the highest-paying airline in the industry. I received my first CJO that day. It is most important to just work with what you have and present that in the best way possible. Play the cards you were given the best you can! Most likely you were given what it takes if you’re at the face-to-face interview.
The days before the interview I focused on my appearance by getting my hair, and nails, professionally done, and investing in a well-fitted suit. I had to choose budget-friendly options. I found a suit online here: the Flight Attendant Suit I recommend for women. This is not the day to get creative with your outfit. Some airlines will tell you the dress code, but I recommend sticking to looking as much like a flight attendant as you can.
I used a budget-friendly hair blowout salon to get my hair, done which had an affordable monthly subscription. I also used a budget-friendly nail salon to get natural gel nail acrylics. I would suggest that if you get your nails done you do not get any designs and sparkles and long lengths go for very plain color short nails.
If you can do your hair or nails yourself, that will cut down on the budget, but it’s always nice to have services professionally done, as the outcome is usually better. Regardless of budget, where there is a will, there is a budget! Make it happen. If you have the money go HAM treat yourself to all the treatments!!!
2. Answer Interview Questions Like A STAR!
Knowing how airlines prefer responses helped me have a successful interview every time. Each airline uses the STAR Method to answer situational questions.
The STAR Method stands for:
1. Situation
2. Task
3. Action
4. Result
This is how to structure your answers during an interview where situational questions are being asked. For example: tell me about a time when you handled a difficult customer. Prepare scenarios and practice saying the succinct answers out loud in the STAR format to demonstrate your skills effectively.
I will give a quick example here: I had an unhappy customer (Situation).
I listened to their concerns, expressed empathy, and brainstormed about a workable solution (Task).
I presented a perfect solution to resolve the issue and gave the customer transformational customer service to correct the issue (Action).
The customer was pleased and satisfied with the results and now the customer is a regular happy customer (Result).
3. Research The Company
Understanding the airline's values, culture and preferences will help you stand out. I recommend going to the airline’s website and social media to learn the airline's key mission, vision, and values. Reflect your knowledge in your answers where appropriate and this will help you appear to be prepared. It will show that you are interested in the company and are aligned with the company’s goals. Check out the airlines' online reviews, YouTube videos, Reddit, and Glassdoor for the inside scope of recent interview advice and relevant information.
4. Embrace The Team Player Mindset
For flight attendants being a team player is mandatory. It’s important to not look at the other candidates at the interview as your competition as those are your fellow future coworkers. During the interview, other candidates can help you succeed especially if there is a team exercise, hint, hint, hint. There probably will be a team exercise. So do not look at your potential future coworkers to size them up, instead, talk to everyone at the interview and smile, because airlines are looking for this. In fact when you think you are just waiting for the interview to start best believe you are being watched from the minute you turn into the building.
5. Trust The Process and Have Confidence.
Nerves are natural but maintain your confidence. You know what type of person you are and what you offer. Sometimes the airlines are looking for very specific things. Sometimes they want people who just graduated from college. Sometimes they want seasoned people with more experience.
If you received a CJO you will probably see a group get dismissed first, those people, unfortunately, didn't make it. That is a good sign that you are on your way to receiving a job offer. If you have passed a reach test and fit the jumpseat you will now be off to do a drug test and fingerprints. Some companies do the drug test right on site and it takes about an hour and for some, you can do the drug test a few days after the interview in your current location.
Either way, I encourage you to trust the process of your life not just the flight attendant process! If you get a CJO this time it is all in the plan, especially, if you follow these tips. However, for whatever reason if this wasn't your opportunity, I encourage you not to be upset and try again. I have known some flight attendants who try 4 times or more with the same airline and eventually are successful in receiving a CJO. I would say also have some confidence and pride about yourself. If an airline brings you to a face-to-face more than 4 times but doesn't offer you a CJO, then I would say, you can find an airline that appreciates you better as well. Always keep your standards in anything that you do and you will go far.
If you want to learn more tips or have any questions let me know in the comments. If this was helpful. I can share tips on surviving flight attendant training and you know I will give you some real-talk tips.
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Prepare For Landing…In Conclusion
Securing a CJO as a flight attendant involves a blend of preparation, presentation, and luck. Understanding how to present yourself in the best and most positive light will get you to success in the interview and life. You can significantly increase your chances of success by having a positive attitude, and confidence, being friendly, following directions, and putting your best foot forward. Check out some popular flight attendant items I highly recommend before and after your interview Click here Let me know if these tips helped you and follow my newsletter here on Substack.