We admire how positive and energetic you cabin crew guys are, but staying motivated while you job-hunt must be a big challenge. It‘s natural to feel frustrated when the search for a new cabin crew job drags on, so it’s worth remembering that very few people are successful from day one.
The trick for
cabin crew in today’s tough economic climate is to try and learn something from each failed job application, take it on the chin, and move on. Here are six tips on how to stick with it, as you search for your perfect
cabin crew role:
1. Stay positive
It’s vitally important to stay positive, especially when dealing with potential employers. Being polite, personable and a good communicator will be expected of you if you're
cabin crew, so don’t make calls or attend assessment days and recruitment events unless you’re certain a positive mindset and sunny attitude will come across. Career experts say it helps to build a support network of friends and family you can to talk to, for support and advice while applying for jobs.
Remember to stay focused on your strengths, not weaknesses. Write an action plan too, perhaps plotting out exactly which airlines you’re interested in and what you need to do to contact them and impress them. By setting some written goals you have a structure to work to. Confidence and enthusiasm helps make a good impression, both in writing, on the phone and in person.
2. Sign up for job alerts
Don’t expect the
cabin crew job to find you. You have to be proactive as you search for cabin crew jobs, and that means making use of the many online services that are freely available. It’s well worth getting your CV onto the airline’s HR databases so check out the careers pages on their websites and make sure your details are with all the companies you’d be interested working for.
Upload your CV on the relevant job boards, and sign up for job email alerts. The Cabincrew.com
email alert service is a great way to receive the latest job details as soon as they’re available. And now that so many people have smart phones and tablets, you can even receive job alerts when you’re out and about.
3. Research target airlines
Don’t even think about targeting an airline for a
cabin crew job unless you fully understand their needs, what their brand values are and where and how they operate. Research will be key so scour the corporate website and career pages to find out all you can about their selection process and recruitment criteria.
What is the airline’s mission statement? Do customer testimonials or forums give insights into what they do and how they are viewed by the public? Where do they fly and what services do they offer passengers? If you arrive at an interview or assessment day with plenty of relevant knowledge and are able to ask the right questions, you will really impress.
4. Network tirelessly
Now is the time to step up your use of contacts as you look for a
cabin crew job. Letting people know you’re ready for a new challenge can be a fast, effective way to get in the door of a new organisation. It’s also worth attending as many industry events as you can, and of course stepping up your social networking activities will be vital. If you have one, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and shows all your relevant skills and interests, with plenty of connections (there should be well over 50 to help you come up in searches) and plenty of the right keywords.
Ensure you have at least two really positive ‘recommendations’ from previous employers on your LinkedIn profile page, and get signing up to the relevant discussion forums where valuable connections can be made. Do you have contacts on Facebook that would be useful, and have you ‘liked’ the airlines you’re targeting? Remember that employers may check your Facebook page so remove any dodgy party photos or comments that won’t show you in your best light. Also why not get involved in CabinCrew.com's
Facebook site? It may be an ideal place to hear the latest industry gossip and connect with others in your situation.
5. Differentiate yourself
Once you have researched the airline you’re targeting, spend some time thinking about what will make you different – better – than the competition going in for cabin crew job interviews or assessment days. Are they looking for people who are fun and upbeat, or is impeccable customer service the main skill they’ll want.
Do you need to show off your
language skills or past experience of
VIP service? If you go in armed with a plan about how to demonstrate your best skills and great past experience, you will feel fully prepared, and be able to present yourself in a very good light.
6. Always follow up
Follow up your interviews and airline assessment days by asking for feedback. It’s incredibly useful to gather information that will prevent you making the same mistake twice. If something was missing from your
cabin crew experience, find out precisely what that was and get to work remedying the situation.
Did you come across as too pushy or not confident enough? What changes to your personal appearance should you consider making? You may need more experience of customer service, or evidence of being a team-worker, but until you find out from the recruiters you won’t know where you’re going wrong. These are all things you can get working on ready for the next interview.
By setting yourself goals and being mentally prepared for a fair amount of rejection, you should be in good shape to stay positive and keep up the hunt for the right cabin crew job for you. If you aren’t immediately selected for a job it’s vital to rise above that rejection, and move onto your next part of the action plan. Learning by your mistakes can be very powerful, and will help you keep trying. Our advice is keep smiling and don’t give up. As our
jobs section shows, there are lots of options out there. It’s really about finding the right one for you.
Browse our
cabin crew jobs today
Visit our
forums to ask for tips and share advice on job-hunting.