Being a flight attendant can be an exciting and rewarding career. It offers flexibility, great pay, and amazing benefits.
If you’ve always wanted to become a flight attendant but thought a lack of experience would keep you from getting the job, then this article is for you.
This article will show you exactly how to become a flight attendant with no experience.
Although airlines would prefer someone with experience as a flight attendant, they hire and train new flight attendants all the time. As long as you meet the requirements and have some of the other factors they look for, most airlines would love to have you on their team.
Requirements Before You Apply
Before you start applying for jobs as a flight attendant it’s important to make sure you meet the qualifications of the job. Although prior experience as a flight attendant is not required, there are some things that are. Here is a list:
- You must be at least 18 years of age (some airlines require you to be 19 or 20)
- High school diploma or equivalent (College degree is a bonus)
- Able to pass a background check and drug screen
- Vision that is correctable to at least 20/40
- Tall enough to reach overhead compartments
There will be more requirements down the road that you will have to meet in order to work as a flight attendant (like completing training and getting your flight attendant certification) but the above requirements are what you need to meet to get started.
Skills You Will Need
If you want to be a flight attendant but don’t have any experience, there are certain specific skills from other job and industries that translate over well. These are the kinds of skills that airlines are looking for in someone they think they can train to be a successful flight attendant.
Customer Service
One of the things that airlines love to see is experience helping customers and working with the general public. This includes jobs like retail sales, being a waiter/waitress, host, or anything else dealing with the public.
Since flight attendants are the face of the company to passengers, one of the most important things that airlines look for is how they think you’ll treat the passengers. They want to hire someone who is friendly, patient, and enjoys interacting with a variety of people.
Sales
Part of being a flight attendant is helping customers order drinks, buy additional services from the airlines, and get passengers to listen to you.
Having experience in sales is very helpful for all of the above. I’ve been on flights where the flight attendants have tried to upsell me on everything from Wi-Fi i access to drinks to credit cards.
Having experience being able to confidently explain the benefits of what you’re selling to passengers will help you during the hiring process.
Attention to Detail
Flight attendants are required to take care of many safety related issues before, during, and after a flight. If you have experience from a job that required you to complete important tasks on a regular basis without fail, this is worth making mention of during the hiring process as well.
This includes things like management functions from a previous job (even if it’s from a restaurant or retail store) or clerical tasks in an office environment.
Flexibility
Working as a flight attendant will require you to work more than just the standard 8-5 workday. New flight attendants often work nights, weekends and holidays. If you have had another job with non-standard hours, this will also be great experience when applying to be a flight attendant.
A “Polished” Look
You might have noticed while traveling that flight attendants often have a similar and very polished look. That means their uniforms are clean and free of wrinkles. They have their hair, makeup, and nails in an orderly fashion without attracting attention, and they have a very overall clean cut image.
If you’re had jobs where you had to present yourself like this, it might be an indication of what to expect here. Likewise, it’s worth noting that this is something you have experience with.
Preparing a Resume
It’s a good idea to prepare a resume specific to the flight attendant jobs you want to apply for before you start applying for those jobs. That will keep you from being tempted to use the same resume you have for other jobs you might have applied to in the past.
You should take the sections that are usually on a resume and slightly re-work them to look great to an airline looking for someone that would be a great flight attendant.
For example, instead of a generic Objective like this one:
“To obtain a challenging position with a great company”
you should use one that makes it clear you REALLY want to be a flight attendant like:
“To become a flight attendant with a great airline so I can use my skills and experience to provide an amazing experience to their guests”
Notice the difference. The better example makes a point of listing what job you want (flight attendant) and why (to help passengers or guests)
Experience
Since you don’t have experience as a flight attendant, you should take the experience you do have that might translate to the flight attendant job and really highlight it.
Make sure to make a point of listing accomplishments when it comes to customer service, sales, and operational activities. Highlight any awards or recognition you’ve received from previous employers.
For more info on putting together a great resume, make sure to take a look at this online resume maker for flight attendants as well.
Applying for Job
Now that you know you meet the requirements and have a resume ready to go, it’s time to start applying for jobs.
There are various resources online that list the airlines and have contact information on where to go to get updated information on them. This includes things like if they are hiring, where to submit your resume, and more.
Here is a link to one of these resources: Flight Attendant Jobs
Clean Up Social Media
It has become common practice for employers to look at the social medial accounts of people they are considering hiring. Airlines are no different.
If you are an active user of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media app, make sure sure to remove anything that employers might find offensive. The last thing you would want is an HR person at an airline to do a Google search and find inappropriate comments you made in the past and decide not to hire you.
Airlines consider flight attendants to be the face of the company to their passengers every day. They do not want to risk hiring someone that will make them look bad.
Crushing the Interview
Being interviewed for a flight attendant position can be stressful. Especially if it’s your first time since this makes most people even more nervous.
First Interview
Your first interview will likely not be in person. It will either be over the phone or via video call (like skype).
Regardless of which options they choose, you have to be ready to make a great first impression. Since this is a first interview, they are looking to get a general sense of what kind of person you are and how friendly and professional you sound.
The good news is that since they have already seen your application and resume, they know you don’t have experience as a flight attendant and are willing to give you a chance for an interview. That alone is a cause for celebration!
The important thing to remember on these first interviews is to make sure you go above and beyond to be friendly, passionate, and excited for the opportunity.
When the interviewer asks questions, make sure you take your time to respond with a in-depth and specific answer. If they ask you about your customer service skills, share a story of you going above and beyond to help a customer from another job.
If they ask about your sales experience, make a point to tell them about sales successes you’ve had and why you loved doing it. Etc.
The name of the game at this point is to do a good enough job to earn an in person interview.
In Person Interview
Have you noticed how many times I’ve mentioned how important it is to present yourself as a professional if you want to be a flight attendant?
It might sound repetitive, but it really is that important if you want to get this job. Image is important when you’re going to be representing the airline to passengers.
First off, make sure to follow some of the basic rules for any job interview. This includes:
- Be 10-15 minutes early
- Be dressed professionally
- Make sure you are well groomed (hair, nails, makeup)
- Make eye contact and smile
Also, make sure to avoid some of the common pitfalls that can cost you the job. You should never:
- Be late to the interview
- Speak negatively about your current/former employer
- Be underdressed
- Chew gum
Now that we have some of the basics out of the way, I’ll give you some of the best interview advice for a flight attendant I’ve ever heard.
Make sure to be the person the airline would want to interact with their most important customers.
Think about that. It’s pretty basic, isn’t it.
Put yourself in the shoes of the person doing the hiring/interviewing you. Think about what they would want out of someone they’re interviewing. What would it take to really “WOW!” them?
It would require you to be professional, positive, friendly, and willing to learn.
Follow the same advice I mentioned earlier when answering questions. Go in depth and give specific examples. Don’t be afraid to brag about your skills and experience a little.
Make sure that when the interview is over the person that interviewed you walks away and tells their coworkers how great of a flight attendant you are going to be!
Summary & Final Advice
I hope this guide gives you both the insider knowledge and motivation to follow your dreams of becoming a flight attendant.
Just remember that changing careers can often be a long and difficult process. You might not get the first position you apply for. Or even the second.
But, if you’re serious about getting hired as a flight attendant make sure you stick to your plan and keep applying. You’ll get better and better at the interview and get hired before you know it.
Just because you haven’t been a flight attendant before doesn’t mean you won’t be a fantastic one once you have the chance.
Related Articles
If you are seriously considering changing careers and becoming a flight attendant, make sure to look at these related pages here on Everyday Aviation:
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