How To Be Crew

People I know (and people I haven' met before) are keen on asking me "How did you apply as a Flight Attendant?" or "Please share with us your experience." and "Can you give us any tips or advice?" And I can go on rambling from my love for airplanes and flying and traveling and the whole actual application process (which differs from airline to airline, and I can't speak on behalf of the company) But I'm glad to share with you my very own journey :) Which is as timely as it can get since I have just completed one year with my company (Yay!) and the recently concluded Skytrax Airline Awards at the Farnborough Airshow - where we maintained at the Top 10 World's Best Airlines of 2016 (Yay!) I too wanna say Mabrouk! to our neighbour in Dubai for winning this year's Skytrax!

I think I finally got the urge to write this one after watching the movie "Get A Job" starring Anna Kendrick and Miles Teller :) Here are some "practical" things I did (which I think) have helped me land a career in Aviation:

1. Research

Without us knowing, most airliners are continuously hiring! Continuously. From Cabin Crew, to Ground Staff, to Customer Service Reps - basically a position that requires manpower. The thing is we have to know where, when and how to apply. In my previous job, I had the luxury of time to spend the whole day online researching and sneaking for interviews (haha!) And read. Read a little something about the company you're applying for.

Most companies nowadays rely on their website for an online application process wherein you have to set up an account on their 'Careers' section, completed with your personal details, educational attainment, work experience etc. etc. before they actually contact you for a face-to-face interview.

I have made dozens of accounts on online job search engines (think LinkedIn) and still get emails for job listings 'til this day. I've had 4 active accounts in 4 different airline websites where I used to check their schedule for an 'Open Day' or Recruitment Event in a particular city. There are also third-party websites or blogs that post hiring events for Cabin Crew (like this and this). I have found out about the recruitment event for the company I work for now on a Facebook ad and just went for it!

2. Prepare

Prepare. Prepare. Prepare! No airline (or any company for that matter) would give second thoughts in choosing someone with incomplete requirements and someone who is, needless to say - late. By the time you've arrived, you're already out. I've seen it. This industry has just so much time and the competition is just too high that a little slip might be a setback on your application. With that, you may also only reapply 6 months after your first application, so make your initial approach a well-prepared one.

And by 'prepare', I also mean 'dress the part'. You are applying in a Customer Service and Hospitality Industry as well. A pleasant personality and professional demeanour is what they're looking for. Especially being based here in the Middle East, we must bare in mind to be conservative on what we wear and be refined on our actions. For the ladies - keep the hair neat and tidy, wear make-up that enhances your already-good-features, a good-fitting blazer, a pencil skirt (which length is below the knees) always looks professional and finally put on corporate heels (No pumps or peep-toes please!) For the gents - keep the hair neat and tidy, wear a good-fitting suit and tie, well-tailored trousers and shine your shoes. For both - keep a good hygiene and the smile! 

3. Be Confident

Probably the best (and most cliché) advice anyone could ever receive. But it's true. Be confident in who you are and how you express yourself. Confidence is something that only comes from within but is something that can be dulled by outside 'forces' if you let it. What was most intimidating from my experience is knowing that I'm sharing a room with so many pretty, tall girls (and others with flying experience under their belts) from all over the world. And hey, I'm not very tall, but it wasn't just the height that mattered. How do I make myself standout from the rest? They are looking for the whole package. But don't try to impress. You'd only have a minute to introduce yourself to the recruiters and say exactly what you want to say (and mean it!) So be confident, stay positive and you'll shine.

4. Ask Questions

Nothing is more interesting than someone who shows interest and being engaged. Ask questions when in doubt and be engaged especially in group activities when you reach the Assessments Stage. Join forums or ask people who are already in the industry (without being too annoying). During my 'Waiting Game', I have found this online Cabin Crew forum so helpful and comforting knowing there are other Cabin Crew hopefuls like me! I got to ask people of their experience and read their shared stories. I also received very helpful tips when I needed one of my online applications to be unlocked for me to be able to reapply again. That took me a while to figure out. I also unbelievably made friends with the girl I spoke to and we operated a flight together to Manila! Visit the cabin crew community here!

5. Have Patience

Truth be told, my patience was tested to the brim of me! The 'Waiting Game' slowly drained my trust and put me in doubt that I cried myself to sleep, painfully waiting... It really took some time before the company reached back to me and I had to do all the follow-ups for months. Most airlines would have to keep you waiting (sometimes with no reason) because the application is really a long and tedious process. Which involves waiting for visas to be approved, waiting for a batch to open and the list goes on... I'm so glad my recruitment coordinator was patient enough to respond to my emails. I also realized that you cannot get a thing you want at once. You know, great things take time. So please, please, kapit lang and have patience! 

6. Never Stop

If there is some truth about me achieving the things I want to achieve, it's because I never stopped.  I never stop for them. Really. I was rejected a couple of times that even my family and my Mom were telling me off to let things go, to not expect too much and just redirect my energy to something else. But I tried and I tried so hard. And me being matigas ang ulo, couldn't stop myself from things that make me feel alive. See?! A little bit of crazy, impatience and hard-headedness can take you places.

7. Pray
Nothing is made more wonderful than in God's time.

Casablanca

From my dusty archives and impatiently stored in my drafts... Finally I share with you - Morocco has long been a dream country to me mostly because of Marrakech. The rich art, heritage, topography and it's people have a magnetic effect on me. By living in the Middle East, I've met and made a few Moroccan friends who just enliven my desire to see this beauty. Morocco is a destination I've been bidding for. Funnily, other crew won't 'bid' for this flight. Which makes me... a weirdo. (Haha!)

Luckily for me, I was granted my request twice! Consecutively! With our service flights into Casablanca - a city unknown to me - where all I knew was it's my gateway to Morocco. On my first arrival there, I got down with a flu during Eid season. And I did absolutely nothing, but rest and heal myself in a foreign far away land - Panadol, a bottle of water and a book (The Nightingale) kept me company. Since then, I've noticed the French influence in Morocco is ever-present. People in the Concierge would answer my calls in Francaise, and I try to throw them my broken French as well. HAHA!

For the second time, Casablanca has not disappointed! My Pinay co-crew and our lovely Taxi driver - Nour-eddine - were Godsend! After a quick shop for souvenirs at the Souq, we bumped into the most friendly Cab driver who was more than happy and enthusiastic to show us around his beautiful city - in his distinct Moroccan/French accent. With a handy map in his little red Peugeot, I knew we were in for a road trip.

1. Souk De Casablanca - souvenirs from Morocco, a variety of souq finds, and made-in-chinas. Don't forget to bargain!

2. Hassan II Mosque - known simply as "Big Mosque", the second largest mosque in the world (as introduced by Nour-eddine), with a towering minaret, built in Islamic Arabic details in an area that made me feel how big the world is again and situated next to the coast - was a breath of fresh air. Alhamdullilah!

3. Corniche - there's no other word that comes close to describing it as gorgeous. And knowing that I'm at the tip, caught in between North Africa and the Mediterranean, this is my closest encounter with the Atlantic Ocean. 

4. Notre Dame du Lourdes Church - stopped by to whisper a little thank you.

5. Old and New Palace in Habous - visit and see Morocco being the Royal Kingdom it is.

6. Les Fleurs - our last stop at the restaurant near our hotel for some authentic local food and I made sure I didn't miss out on a tender and yummy veal meat cooked in Tagine - a traditional Moroccan dish.

From Moroccan Tea, to Tagine, to Argan Oil - She was all sorts of surprises and nothing short of beautiful. Maybe the reason I flew back-to-back Casablanca was because I was down (with flu) the first time and needed to come back. Maybe.

Those times I 'tried'

I feel it's about time to share (or rather express myself) on what I've been really up to in fulfilling my dreams. I've been reiterating (and even ranting) over and over on my dreams to fly. I sure am not the best candidate, the smartest girl or the prettiest face out there. Not to mention my middling in height. However, there is something wild in me that couldn't be tamed. Could this be the thing they call 'Passion' or in other words 'Calling'? I don't know.

 

Etihad

When I first came to Dubai last year, I knew I had a better chance of getting into the most prestigious Middle East Airlines and took it! Not knowing all the challenges, obstacles, hurdles and tedious processes that come with it. After receiving an email from Etihad inviting me to an Assessment Day, I was soooooo over the moon! Having with me a huge heart and will, I even made a list on 'why I think God wants Etihad for me'. But during those times, I was just convincing myself  to be brave and confident. I travelled all the way to Abu Dhabi, for the first time, solo. And what I expected to be a whole day's event for me was cut short. It was over even before I knew it. In short, I didn't make it past the first stage. It was just the first. And the most devastating rejection I've had experienced. But (in time) all wounds heal. My trip to Abu Dhabi was not a failure. I was reunited with my cousin I'd barely even see in the Philippines; my feet have taken me to the Grand Mosque which made me realize how vulnerable I am, how there is a greater God; and the whole experience is in itself a realization of who I am, what I'm capable and what I'm made of.

 

Qatar Airways

Fast forward towards the end of the year, and what a way to end that year! I had another amazing opportunity to go and tryout for both Qatar Airways and Emirates. Call me the girl who attended every Open Day/Assessment Day there is or the 'most experienced' Assessment Day attendee... After Etihad, I now know better that I can do better. I remember preparing well for Emirates upon receiving an email for their Open Day. And by preparing well, I meant buying myself a new G2000 Blazer, borrowing a black corporate skirt from my cousin's and getting a manicure. Since QR and EK happened almost simultaneously and within the same month, it has been a whirlwind of events!

Qatar Airways was special to me. It has been the wild card amongst my applications. Believe it or not, I only found out of their Open Day on a Facebook Ad few days before them hosting the recruitment event in Dubai. And I said, why not? I won't lose anything by trying, but more likely gaining. With that said, Qatar Airways was the second recruitment event I 'auditioned' for and those things I've supposedly set aside for EK was unconsciously preparing me for QR. I was one of the many (hundreds) of hopefuls who lined up, waited and showed up for less than a minute to score the recruiter's approval.

Emirates

And by fate, God's grace, and the universe conspiring - I have been invited to Qatar Airways' and Emirates Airlines' Assessment Days! Getting through the day, stage after stage, already felt like winning! Another thing that makes me proud to be part of an event like this is to know that I was the only Pinay in a room of people from basically all over the world! It's not everyday you get to experience something like this. To successfully complete all those stages was a blessing. And a blessing is something that is freely given. Therefore I reflect - what have I that I didn't receive? What we do with our blessings is our gift back to Him. But God won again in the gift giving game, for these were early Christmas gifts :)

Before all of this even happened, I was in darkness, deep in the dumpster, stuck in a rut (maybe even hopeless). I too felt like it's not happening to me, but I can't just sit and mope. So I created and paved the way myself. My being hard headed and stubborn have paid off and brought me to life's unexpected surprises. It's moments like these that keep me alive. I might not be the best, but the fact that I have the guts to stand up with the rest of hopefuls and like-minded dreamers prove that time is not to be wasted, that I'm up for any challenge that pushes me to be BETTER. I know there is something in me that is in constant search to be satisfied. Hunger, maybe?


To close this already long post, I am fortunate to have made it up until the final interview with Emirates... and currently (still) waiting for the golden email from Qatar. (Inshaallah!) I would love to share how the Assessment Days went for each I've attended in detail, if it's something you - my readers hope to see. A dream is a dream. Therefore, I can't make myself stop. These are the things I have been excited for 2015.  And in all things, to God be the glory!


<<p.s. As of posting, I have already filed my resignation 
from my employer and currently waiting for the next steps to fly to Doha! InshaAllah>> 



For Yuppies

At this age of internet and modern media, it's been a habit or routine of mine to read Rappler daily. I scour what's on the news and click my way through one headline to another. And this time, I have yet again stumbled upon this article that move and touch me like no other. Maybe because it came from the words of a father's heart to her daughter, maybe because I am still in search of my purpose and in pursuit of my dreams, maybe because I too know how it feels wanting to quit? Or perhaps, I'm on this phase as a young professional that I can relate myself completely and heed to every single word of wisdom. I've read this article a few times long ago, but the effect remains the same. As it is the season for Graduations and Commencement Exercises, allow me to reblog this blog from Aika Robredo - daughter of former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Thank you for sharing with us this heartfelt letter (email)!

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For yuppies who want to quit, a word from Jesse Robredo

This graduation season, Aika Robredo shares a touching email sent by her father, the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, when she wanted to give up in 2008

Aika Robredo

Published 11:57 AM,  Mar 29, 2014
Updated 8:59 PM, Dec 16, 2014

GRADUATION DAY. Aika Robredo poses with her father, Jesse, and her mother, Leni, during her graduation in 2008.
Photo courtesy of Aika Robredo

MANILA, Philippines – This graduation season, the daughter of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo blogged about a touching – and timely – email from her father. In this letter, Mr Robredo advised his eldest child, Aika, not "to quit early" even if she feels "unhappy and stressed" in her career. Rappler is republishing Aika's blog entry with her permission. Except for details that Aika omitted, the letter appears in unedited form.
 
This is probably the longest email I received from Pa, in response to an email sent to him by my clueless, whiny, too idealistic, feeling entitled fresh grad self back in 2008. Reading this again made me realize that my perspective on work has significantly changed since then. Work is both humbling and, for lack of a better word, dignifying (uplifting?). 
This is for fresh grads and not-so-fresh grads, and people who think that the grass is always greener on the other side (occasionally guilty of this).
---
From:  Jesse Robredo <j.......@yahoo.com>
Date: XX/XX/XXXX 9:26 PM    
Subject: Re: :(
To: Aika Robredo <a.....@gmail.com>
  
dear aiks,

do not worry. i also felt like that when i was working. kaya palipat lipat ako ng office sa san miguel corporation. give it a little time. meanwhile, actively look for other options. (you might want to help me muna. ha.ha.ha.)

it is too early to tell what you are meant to do. but quitting this early will not be good for you. while you may be unhappy and stressed, there is a better way of coping with it. the more unhappy and discontented you are, the more you will dread every day you work. as i have said, you are not in the worst place at this stage in your career. sometimes, having too many choices is not that healthy. i think sticking on to your job for a significant amount of time is a good idea. it will test your ability to cope with something you are not too happy doing. the sad reality is that we have to bear it because it is part of the learning process. If i encourage you to quit early, the next time you feel the same discomfort, you will not learn to cope but quit again.

I know of quite a number of people who were as good as you – or who were even better than you, but did not achieve their full potential because they always wanted to be happy with what they were doing. we need not go very far. Person A and Person B had to struggle with Company X because they did not have much choice. It is only now that they can do as they please because they have established themselves already.

I do not think you should lose sight of what you want to do. If you do decide to quit, be responsible enough to find another job before quitting. It will not look good if you quit without any definite job waiting.

i do not suggest that you immediately take the NGO route unless it is the CSR of a prominent company. while it is true that you will study later on, remember that your studying will require you to return back to the real world that you are in right now. burn out ka na, bok. you might want to take a vacation muna. madali naman maghanap ng rason at this point in time. while i am not against you doing social development work, i must say that those who succeeded in this field went through the regular careers that we have gone through. Tony Meloto worked in the private sector for a long time. Manny Pangilinan, etc.

i will always support you in any way you want me to. while the job might not be for you, you might have to grin and bear it while you are looking for a new one (whether corporate or NGO). i have taken less fulfilling jobs in my career but i have looked at them as the dots that connected me to where i am now. the more you despair, the more you will be unhappy. many people would love to take your place, given the opportunity. just look at this stage as the difficult stepping stones in testing your character and patience. probably, later on, with the benefit of hindsight, you will conclude that it was all for the better that you were not too hasty in making the decisions on this matter.

having said what i think, do not be afraid to make the decisions you think that best suit you. lagi lang naman kaming nandito. but as they say, do not make decisions when you are unhappy (or emotional). they tend to be the less logical ones.
 
labs always, 

pops

– Rappler.com