If you’ve been following this post series, then you’ve gotten a glimpse into what being a flight attendant looks like, and you’ve gone over some of the pros and cons of the career choice. Now let’s take you behind the scenes so that you can see what the hiring process looks like!
Getting hired as a flight attendant can be a daunting yet rewarding process. Even with all of the non-glamorous aspects of the job, it is still easier to get into Harvard than to get hired with some major airline carriers as a flight attendant. Your hiring process generally will include the application process, the interview process and the conditional job offer or CJO/training process. Let’s break those down.
The Application Process: Most airlines do not accept year-round applications for the flight attendant position so when they do open up for applications, its usually only for a few days – and its like opening up a flood gate. Applicants have been known to crash sites. With so many people applying in such a short window of time, its imperative that you get your application in as quickly as possible. 
I would suggest going to the company website that you are interested in and setting up a work profile ahead of time so that when the applications do open up, you’ll already have a bit of a head start. Here are direct links to a few of the major domestic carrier career sites (from there you can set up your profile and alerts etc): Delta, American, United, Southwest, Jet Blue. Once you’ve successfully submitted your application, it becomes a waiting game. Applications are sorted through in the order in which they are received, so if you applied during the first hour of the first day the portal opens, you can expect to receive communication before someone who applied on the last day. That being said, YOU WILL HEAR SOMETHING, and no news is good news. Some applicants have had to wait a year or more before they received their initial communication, so be patient during this time period. Go on with your life as normal and DO NOT contact the company after a just few weeks, asking them where you are in the application process. My dear friend learned this the hard way – DENIED.
The Interview Process: Airlines differ in how they conduct their interview processes; however in general, most applicants who’s resumes get pulled will be asked to set up a phone or online interview.
You’ll be asked general questions like, “Are you willing to move to a base?” (say yes!) and “Tell me about your customer service experience.” Applicants who wow during this interview, usually get invited to a face-to-face interview, in which the company will fly you out to complete. Some airlines conduct a group interview while others will interview you one-on-one. It could also be just you and a panel of interviewers. If you are in a group interview, they may have activities for you to participate in, so make sure you show your ability to be cohesive with a group of strangers, since that is one of the everyday job descriptions. After your face-to-face interview, selected applicants will get offered a conditional job offer or CJO. At some point these selected few will need to pass a drug test and background check, and those who pass will get to move on to the next step – Training
The Training Process: Applicants who are offered the CJO should be proud. Not many people get to this step and now whether they get hired or not is 100% in the applicants control. During the CJO applicants will have to complete the training process and pass all FAA required tests. This is conducted by the hiring airline, and it usually lasts anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks. 
This can be paid or unpaid depending on the airline, so applicants who get the CJO should plan their finances accordingly. The training portion is a jam packed, rigorous and sometimes emotional few weeks of learning anything and everything that has to do with being a flight attendant; and only 1-2 days are spent on the service procedures. Trainees will learn everything required by the FAA in the way of medical and safety related materiel. They will be tested on it and MUST pass with an A – this includes physical tests as well. Future flight attendants will have to learn how to evacuate the plane, and how to handle themselves and passengers in a variety of situations. They will even have to complete a set number of actual flight hours before candidates can officially graduate. Once the blood sweat and tears have paid off, the flight attendants will receive their well deserved wings and the right to work as a flight attendant.
This is basically what the hiring process looks like across the board, with varying differences depending on what airline you choose to apply to. Be sure to check out Post 4 of this series which covers some FAQs, sample interview questions and Tips. Of course if you don’t see something, feel free to leave your questions and comments below. Fly safe!
SUBSCRIBE & STAY TUNED FOR PART 4 & Visit the Life of a Sassy Stew Youtube Channel!
