Many have asked how to join the company as Cabin Crew, many questions. I’ll try my best to answer them in ONE post. I’ll try to give a detailed chronology of how you could get a job working for Emirates, but that is only based on my experience so far. There’s probably other ways to join but I’ll go for the most common one, the one that applies to any wannabees out there. I’ll also try to design some sort of chart to be even clearer.
Ok, the first questions you ask yourself BEFORE joining ANY airline company, targeting a Cabin Crew/flight attendant job are :
- Is it really want I want to be doing ?
- Am I afraid of staying up 20 hours straight with make-up, shoes and customers to please in an aircraft ?
- Will I be OK with moving to a foreign country (Dubai UAE, for example) or not ?
- Being on the move 24/7, christmas, NYE, Holiday periods bothers me ?
- Does a strict/standard driven atmosphere bores you already ?
- Wearing a uniform is a burden ?
- SMILE 24/7 doesn’t suit you ?
There’s a lot more to add, but if the answers to those few questions is negative, then I think you should reconsider your objective. Otherwise you can move on and read the rest !
- You like working in a team ?
- You like meeting new people every day ?
- You like moving around ?
- You like the customer service industry ?
- You like satisfying others might it be colleagues or customers ?
- You like learning new cultures ?
- You speak TWO languages ?
Those aren’t the only questions but if the answer is yes to all of those, then you have the kind of profile airline companies are looking for.
Ok, so we’ve been through the first screening, or “self-screening”. Many screenings are to come in the future of your application with Emirates. The next step is to apply for an Open Day/Assessment Day with the airline. Those Open Days are regurlarly held in major cities where Fly Emirates operates. Held around twice a year depending on the country, this can vary and I won’t be able to give you any information towards that. I went to the Open Day in Paris last year and I will base this breakdown on the stages I’ve been through. I think it’s the same procedure everywhere with little differences.
Now that you’re ok with the pros & cons of being a flight attendant / Stewardess / Cabin Crew you can start applying online.
Go to http://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com and look for the box in which a link is named “Register your interest here if there are no suitable vacancies”. Read the whole pages, they will give you basic information on working with them, living in Dubai etc etc. You’ll also have to comply with those requirements :
- Minimum age 21 years at the time of application.
- Minimum arm reach of 212 cms (on tip toes), which will enable you to reach emergency equipment on all aircraft types.
- Educated to at least high school standard.
- Medically fit to meet aircrew requirements.
- Fluent in written and spoken English (fluency in another language is an asset).
- Previous experience in the service/hospitality industry is an advantage.
- Finally, you will be the sort of person who has the natural ability to provide excellent service within a team environment.
Then click the given link (Click “register”), and you’ll be taken to the online application form… You’ll have to create a Cabin Crew Application that they’ll refer to until you are actually successful to join. Fill in every single thing they ask (red star next to a field means it is required information). It will take you quite some time. Never close the window until you’ve completed the whole form or you’re information won’t be saved.
After you’ve completed the form you’ll receive a automatic confirmation email with your reference number, password and what have you… The waiting begins here. Hold on because Emirates will take your patience to the limits, and that is just the beginning. If you fit in what they are looking for they will send you an invitation to a Open/Assessment Day nearest to your home (mine was Paris). You’ll be given a date, time & place. Usually a conference center or hotel with conference rooms near a international airport.
For the Open Day you will need to bring along with you :
- Updated CV (Curriculum Vitae) > Now, on the CV, make it clear and un-cluttered, if you’ve had any previous customer service experience then this is a very good idea to have at the top of your resume. Remember, if you haven’t got any previous customer service experience it is not a problem, you’ll probably strike them with something else ! If they think they can train you in customer service they WILL DO IT !
- 6 Passport Size Photographs > business attire, neatly groomed, looking gorgeous, no scarfs, light make-up for women, non for men ! and most importantly SMILE (even french citizens should smile on those Passport photos). A genuine smile will make the difference when your file is in that pile.
- 2 Full Sized (10×15 cm) Photographs in Business Attire > Suit, white shirt, tie and shoes for men / Knee length skirt or dress with skin coloured stockings (no scarf) for women. Those photographs will be presented a round table of judges back in Dubai as per the recruitment officer I had, so keep SMILING, give the best of you !
- 2 casual Full Sized (10×15 cm) Photographs > those photos must be of you in a natural setting, casually dressed, not smoking nor drinking. Alone is best, if you haven’t got any alone, then ones where the recruitment officer can recognize you.
- Photocopy of your Passport
- Photocopies of School Certificates
- PENS and I’m not joking.
That’s all you’ll need to bring. Get ready for those days, as they’ll be testing your patience, nerves and your will of becoming a Cabin Crew.
2 or 3 days before the actual day, gather everything you need in a safe place, so you don’t have to run around and search for that piece of paper. Get your hair cut if needed. You’ll also need to know where you’ll be going on the day, where the hotel is situated, how long it takes to get there etc etc. You don’t want to arrive late ot not at all after all this prep !
On the day. Wake nice and early. EAT EAT EAT your breakfast ! Have a hella good shower, don’t forget to bring nibbles/sandwich with you and a bottle of any kind of soft you want : you’ll thank me later. Get ready for a very long day. Then jet off to the given location. I suggest you get there 30-45 minutes earlier (say 8.30 am) in order to get in line with the first attendees. You’ll then be in the first group and will be able to leave earlier that day…etc…
If you haven’t had your coffee yet, it’s time. Mind you 4 star hotels aren’t cheap, and that’s where the Open Day will be held. You’ll notice when you have that expensive coffee that you’re not the only one attending the Open Day. Many people tend to show up, like the day I was there, 215 showed up. That is why you need to get in early. Get to know the people around you, make contact. Stay polite though. They will be the only people you’ll see for the next three days if you’re successfull in every stage (I’m gonna break them down in the next paragraph), and possibly some of them will become your colleagues in Dubai !
The Day begins at 9.00 am sharp :
- They will call everyone in the conference room to drop CV/resume & photos. Remember as you’re doing that to smile and be polite, answer the recruitment officer looking in the eyes etc etc, give a good first impression. Be organised with your papers. Say thank you. Take a seat and wait till everyone as given theirs.
- The 2 recruitment officers will then give you an introduction to the company and on how the day will go on, show a video and then proceed to a first screening of your resume & height reach (212 cm on tip-toes without shoes). You will have approximately 2 minutes to convince them. She will call your number and will watch your allure as you walk to him/her. He/she will ask you a quick question on something that interests them in your CV, why you speak such and such language and maybe something about customer service. This is where your ability to speak english will be tested, your genuine smile will make the difference and your general attitude will strike. Take it easy, do not stress, there is no need at this point. Answer quickly, ask to repeat if you need to. Be short, specific and open. Keep looking at the person when he/she speaks, make sure she knows you’re listenning. Don’t over do it. Say thank you when she says she’s done with you. Go back to your seat. and then wait, and wait more… until the officers have finished screening everyone.
- Everyone will be invited to leave the room for the officer to pick out the successfull ones. You’ll then be all invited back in for the results. You’ll either get a “Congratulations, you have successfully passed this stage of the….” or a “We regret we cannot…”. This will be the procedure between each screening or assessment.
- The successfull ones will be invited back into the conference room for an other screening. This time depending on the number of applicants, you may be divided into two groups. They will invite you to fill in a PF16 or Personality Test. This is basically a test to sum up your personality (it has no impact on your success of the screening. You’ll then be invited to pass and english test. Now this test will be decisive. You’ll be given 45 minutes to complete it. It will be an understanding and essay type of test. Nothing too complicated, but requires quite a decent level in English to complete.
- You’ll then get the usual Congrats / Regrets procedure…
- If you’re successful you’ll be invited to the assessment groups. You’ll be given a group number in which you’ll have to evolve within a group discussion on a given topic/situation. The aim here is to see if you’re likely to develop and react well in a group/team. There’s no right or wrong answers, you only have to dose your contribution to the group in a good way, politely with confidence and without interupting your colleagues. Reacting to their opinions and balancing with your… Recap, recentre the discussion if necessary, you and your team will have to focus on the objective given by the recruitment officer. She will taken notes during the whole process and she will then ask if you have all agreed on the situation/topic and will invite you to wait outside while she takes a decision.
- You’ll go through the”congrats/regrets” part again.
- After that if you’re successfull, you’ll be invited the following days for a private 2-to-1 or one2one Final Interview with the recruitment officers where they will ask you multiple questions about previous work experience and hobbies etc etc. The usual basic interview. They will also put you into situations like “what was the worst customer you had to wait at your restaurant” for example.
- That is the last hurdle in the Open Day. More waiting is to come. You’ll be notified by email if you have not succeeded or by phone if you’ve passed.
By That time it’s nearly bed time or even more.
Once you get your Phone Call (4-6 weeks later) saying you successfully passed your final interview, she will send you details on the medical handbook you’ll have to provide prior to joining, the date you supposed to be flying in Dubai and the Contract. Yes because you’re not technically hired until you pass the medicals. So you’ll have quite an extensive list of medical stuff to do :
- HIV report
- Haemoglobin Count
- A Detailed Chest X Ray report about heart and lungs.
- Audiogram report & graph (graph is very important for approval of such)
- Cervical smear test report (for females only – if applicable)
- Dental certificate
- Vaccination certificate with the initial course date.
- Eye test: we require you to do an eye test whether you are wearing glasses/contact lenses or not
I spent around 350 euros to do all those, most of them will be refunded by French Social Security, but make sure you speak to your General Practician first. It took me around 5 full days to complete
You’ll have to scan and send those medicals via email as soon as you have completed them. And guess what, it’s not over ! You’ll also have to scan & send the signed contract, yours & your relatives passports, birth certificates.
After that you’ll get another call saying you passed the medicals and ready to join.
After receiving the Final Approval call, you’ll be notified by email of the date & time of you leaving flight to Dubai. Emirates wont cover the costs of transportation from your home to the designated ALD airport (ALD “annual leave destination”, the destination you’re entitled to for 1 annual free ticket). You’ll also have to scan and email your “Letter of acceptance of resignation” from your present employer or notify by email Emirates if you’re unemployed.
On joining Emirates (joining starts the day you leave for Dubai with e-Ticket & visa), you will have to give a list of documents listed below :
- Passport & Entry Permit (With date of arrival & stamp on it)
- Original Medical & Dental reports with X-rays
- 20 passport size photographs with blue background (polaroïd & digital not accepted)
- 4 photographs (size 3′x3.5′) without spectacles nor headgear (GCAA requirement)
- Original & one set of photocopies of educational/professional qualification certificates for verification purposes only
- Documentary evidence in English :
- Copies of Passport & Birth certificates from your parents, spouse, brothers and sisters or other benificiaries (if unable to submit those when joining you have the option to hand them in to the HR office within 3 months after joining).
Ladies and Gentlemen, Once your Final Approval has been sent to you, you’ll smell the end of “paper work madness / Scan & Email addiction” coming right at you ! This email came on the very last week (on the Tuesday, and supposed to fly out on the Friday). But it doesn’t all end here. You should send them your Letter Of Resignation from your employer (obviously, if you’re not employed, then notify by email). And generally a few days later you’ll get your e-Ticket and Visa. They will be sent by mail so keep a good eye on your inbox. Once that received you’ll have to confirm you have received them, a simple email will do fine.
This was A to Z Joining Emirates Cabin Crew. I will post more stories in a different posts from now on, because this one is getting long and very boring to read. Bookmark this blog for future reference ! I’m flying out on Friday 14th March 2008 and will be updating as much as possible from Dubai providing I can access internet !
Hope this will clarify (or not) your perception of the Open Day and what comes after…
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE FAQ, if you can’t find your answer please use the form at the top of the page so I can answer it !
i am girl,how if with a small tatoo butterfly,stay accepted?
i think butterfly is beautiful,and that is my self expression..i love art too..thank you!! and i am waiting the answer
my butterfly tatoo inner of my body, and not looking from outer!!!thanks,please answer and good night.
Hi i shahzad hassan i found airboy in emirates airlines so please tell me how many things are necssary became a airboy!
Thanks
id love to fly for emirates! that would be a dream come true!!
Can SA citizens also apply at Emirates?
Yes.
Hey…I have been trying with emirates for last two years, they haven’t call me?????
Do u know WHY???
B.
Hello to all,
I have worked for Emirates close to 9 years. For those of you who are thinking of joining, remember being a ‘trolley dolly’ is not all so glamorous as it sounds.
It is hard work (physically) and you do work around the clock. Emirates recruitement standards have dropped and due to the large demand of crew needed, the selection is not as strict. However, saying that they do need to see you in business attire on the selection day.
English is must! All training and all exams are done in English. The trainers are on a strict schedule and everyday you will be overloaded with information and homework will be given. Early starts are required in the Training College and by the time you are done, you come home exhausted.
Currently accommodation given by the company are appartments close to Sharjah. No longer are the glamorous apartments available in Central Shk Zayed Road. This means that transportation to and from work is provided but if you are looking in purchasing a car, on a Grade 2 salary …. forget it! This is where you fall into the trap of getting personal loans in Dubai. There is no wrong in getting one but should you want to leave the Emirates remember all financial accounts ie bank account and loans must be terminated prior to cancelling your visa!
Being part of the Emirates group there are good and bad and the list could go on. Your staff travel perks will kick in after 6 months of the company. That is an advantage, however, realistically, when you do have the opportunity to travel on an ID90 you are better off travelling in a off peak season in order to get on flights. With the recession, Emirates have dropped there prices and are offering low fares at the moment, which makes it harder for staff to get on flights!
I do however recommend, for females only, should you be successful in joining EK and have been upgraded into J Class (Business) it is worth asking your Cabin Crew Manager in referring you to the Royal Airwing Group. This is where I personally was earning an excellent salary.
Sorry boys …. they only accept females!
I wish all future candidates all the best. Elle
Elle, thank you for your kind comment.:)
oh well..
I’ve been waiting emirates airlines for almost a year..
I already signed a contract and finished with my medical for CSA (Cabin Services Assistant) position last July ‘08.
unfortunately, 7 of us left here when my other batch mates officially joined Emirates last Nov ‘08.
an email was sent to us last jan ‘09 saying that they cannot process our application until further notice (probably 6-9 months)
I’m losing hope..
Maybe it’s because they’ve hired enough CSAs for their current aircrafts. When more A380s will join the fleet, they will give you a call. That’s my take on this !
I was hired…so I think, in Jan08 and because of the economic crisis they pushed it to august, which turned into october. I will now be meeting with them on the 26 to discuss the next step.
I went through all the interviews and photo process, but not the medical. It ended up being left to about 4 of us if I can remember. Now I just read that they are doing another hiring on the 24th. Im just so confused at what to expect.
Hannah
i really hope so! thank you so much!
“Due to the current economic climate and the need for the business to reassess all positional requirements, I regret to advise that we will not be able to take your application further at this stage.
Your application has been placed on our ‘reserve’ file and in the event that our recruitment needs change, we will be in contact to re-establish your continued interest in the position at which time we will advise you accordingly.”
Above is just a part of the email sent to me.
Do you think that they will still process my application as soon as Emirates recovered with the current Economic Crisis?
this message is for ythel…
I also had my interview for CSA position last year. I would just like to know if they contacted you lately for reassesment?
will you be able to post here the list of the medical tests you underwent?
thanks…
I wanted to know where and who do I contact if I wanted a job in zurich airport? Please guide me through to the correct person or dept.
Thanks
Biru
hi this is haris khan i am from dubai and i wana be a cabin crew any one here just guide me that how can i get a job …haris_khan303@yahoo.om please contact me i will be waiting thanks
haris
HI! Can anyone tell me if i have a chance to be accepted if i have a light brown spot on my elbow?
hai to all my name is sreeja i am searching the job in airlines if any kind of job i will do it my aim is to worked in airlines i attach me cv also
Curriculum Vitae
————————
Application for the post of Receptionist / Telephone Operator / Office Assistant /
——————————————————————————————————-
Suitable Position
———————-
OBJECTIVE
——————
To extend and enhance my knowledge by securing a responsible and challenging position, in an organization that offers excellent opportunity and to maintain a high standard of service for administrative support with my skills and experience and for contributing competency to manage the efforts for the overall success of the organization.
JOB PROFILE
——————–
• Dynamic and customer service oriented
• strong assertive and proactive personality
• Execellent typing speed
• Vast knowledge of telephone techniques
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Interfacing with all departments
• Responsible for managing the busy functions
• Administrative skills to ensure the smooth operations of the management
• Organizing meetings, seminars and support for office administration
WORK EXPERIENCE
——————————-
• Worked as a Data entry operator in India THE COMORIN MATCHES
PRIVATE LTD., from Jan 08 to Feb09..
• Worked as a Receptionist cum Reliance customer care operator (mobile
company) in India from july 06 to Dec 07.
RESPONSIBILITIES
—————————–
• Public relations
• Processing e-mails
• Data entry operation and filling of office documents
• Telephone operation
• Day today office functions
• Arranging meeting
• Administrative tasks
• Assisting the set up of the new offices
• Assisting and coordinating all activities and responsible for information requests
>>>>for ythel…..
hello there! I am also one of those CSA whose application is still pending until now…
I have received the same email as yours.
Mr. AirbOy, pls help us… we need your advise if they are really going to re-cOntact us as soOn as EK recovered from the crisis..?
Hi there!
i want to be a cabin crew
i was very excited before reading all that you wrote here,but now i’m very dispirited because all steps to become a cabin crew at emirates seems imposible.i think is very hard to get there,at the emirates …
hi,
i am a person who is trying to for a cabin crew job,, and i have some small scares and i am undergoing a treatment for that now… so now itz almost gone have little ..so if i go for the interview now will they reject me ?
Hey Airboy, just wondering why Emirates needs us to provide dental certificate.. are there some requirements for the teeth itself? =)
Primarly for post-mortem identification issues I guess, just in case something bad happens.
thks… is it a must for cabin crews to know how to swim? By the way, you should try black pepper crabs in SIN. =)
Yes, you need to know the basics of swimming. And anything that comes from the ocean I will not eat. But I’ll go for the black peppa chickin’
seems like i have got lots to work on… do enjoy your stay in SIN!
i am 29 years old,and married.is it possible for me to join emirates as cabin crew? i hope i am not too old.. what about being married?do emirates accept married women?i dont have any children by the way. Thanks.
I think if you are married is not a problem in my company a lot of woman are married and have children…so don’t worry!
greetings to u airboy.
well, i am from mauritius n have already gone through interviews and selected beginning of 2009. completed my medical also.however i received an email telling me that they are withdrawing their offer for the moment and shall get back to me…its been 8 months already and no news till now…got friends working at emirates already and they telling me that aviation college will open soon…but when..? do you have an idea..?? although i have been selected, its been great stress since the selection exercises and now am depressed waiting in vain…no need to mention the costs of the medical exams reports,vaccination and fax n emails n phone calls!!!pfffeeww!!…so what would u have as info for me..? looking forward for a reply very soon…cheers
Sam & Nizar,
As soon as I have coherent and sourced information about the recruitment process taking place, be assured I will provide extensive information on the matter. Do not expect any news before the end of December. It is more likely to be in the early months of next year !
Hi sam…
I`m in the same situation waiting for emirates sine last february.My joining datye was the last 8th of march.fortunately, now I`m working with Air atlanta Icelendic based in jeddah…but still working with EK was a dream then, everything……….bufff
Any way, I hope Sodwee will help us if any news happen.Merci Parisien pour tout et bon courage.Peut etre on se verra a bengladech dhaka lol
A bientot
A propos de tres belles photos
Hi Airboy!
It’s so Nice of You to give us a detailed background on How to become an FA for emirates. I would like to asked if how often are you allowed to take on vacation within a year? Are you allowed once a month or quarterly to go back home? Hope for your response! I would really appreciate it! Thanks!
hi sodwee!
I really appreciate your response on my email, but i hope you would answer my question regarding the numbers of vacation? still waiting for your answer. thanks! Ur an inspiration to us!
You get 30 days of vacation a year, half must be taken before for the first half of the year in any manner, minimum 5 days at a time , you can also take all your 30 days at once.
[...] Including one tomorrow in London, UK. Please follow the links and register to get an invitation. A full report and what to expect from these days is detailed here. You can also take a read of the F.A.Q. for further [...]
Hello, I’m a candidate of Emirates Airline Cabin Crew. I hoped to register for Assessment day at Brisbane, Australia, 30, 09, 2009, but the advertisement at the Internet Homepage of Emirates is closed. How can I get invitation from Emirates??
hey all,my hieght is 165 is it appropriate to be emirates cabin crew?plz anyone reply as soon as possible.
You need to reach 212cm on tip toes.
thx so much i know that i have to bbe 212 arm reach but i dont know how to measure i mean is my hieht appropriate or tell me wht 212 es equal in hieght?
You have to reach 2 meters and 12 cm with your hand. Measure it against a wall and reach for it.
HI EVERYONE! im planning to go to dubai by january 2010..Any info if there will be an open days hiring for cabin crew postion directly from dubai? thanks
hi there! i do know that the minimum age to join emirates is 21…ill be 21 in 3 months.. can i still attend the interview next week? i would really appreciate your help! rhank you in advance!
Any can help with cabin crew cv
Hope you guys attend an open day where you get to be screened by emirates representatives and not some agency that knows sh*t about what they are doing, I went through a preselection here in Morocco and it was BS! the interviewers could hardly speak any english which was funny, it was emirates partner agency here in rabat! I cant imagine how pissed I am, I wouldnt have felt this way if I was interviewed and turned down by the people in charge at the emirates HR Cuz I kno they are experienced professionals and they know what they are lookin for exactly! Im looking for the next open day here, I havent given up yet! but I just wouldnt reapply if the same uncapabale people would interview me again!
let me tell you about some of the crappy things they did:
1/ They called the majority one day prior to the so called interview while others were called way before.
2/ They asked us to bring a cv and a picture, but then while they asked us to introduce ourselves they didnt bother asking about the cv? now seriously how can this be? all they had is a list with our names without any further details on it!
3/ the interviewers did not speak any good english, Im not even bothered by their accent, I do teach english and I expect that the people in charge should at least have a decent level of english!
4/ they had a reach out test
and a weigh in but lol they didnt bother about our height? now how can tht be? our weight should be checked in relation to the height I believe!!
[...] AIRBOY’S GUIDE TO THE EK >>> [...]
How do I get in contact with the FACE CLUB in terms of wanting to offer discounts from my company for FACE CARD holders?
hello people of the world!…I’d like just ask something…Im not able to reach 212cm…I can reach something like 208cm…is it really a problem or I can try?? thank you =)
what kind of maths does emirates ask i have an interview on tuesday and i am really worried coz i am not good at maths
I really think that maths is not the main argoment of the interview! don’t worry good luck and let me know!
I registered for the Open Day in Bratislava, Slovakia on 14th November, however havent received an invitation yet.. Is it still worth going there with out invitation too or does it mean that they are not interested already?
hi am waqas i am poor person but free off b.a examations i need too job for fly emirates i like cabin crew job plz help me reply me harry up am good looking and hand some boy.bye thx…….