The Preparation

It is important to make a research before you’re applying to a job. Either to get a better knowledge of the value of the company, or of the job description in details. Also to know what is acceptable and what is not, what to expect during the process, how to dress, many other small aspects that you might find too small to be noticed but it makes a great difference.

I have listed some links from many resources below I have found during the process, feel free to add yours or any other related links if you find more.

---

READ, READ, READ

• First thing first, of course the company website: http://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/ which contains of so many information about everything you need to know before applying a job, like the overview of the company, the requirements, living in Dubai, and the job description itself

• It is always lovely to meet people who share the same dream at this famous forum, check on http://www.cabincrew.com/

• Google: no need to say about this, you can find almost everything on here

• Blogs: generous people who kindly share their experiences on their blogs, I’m lucky enough to find them out. Links below:
  • Flygirl – Lulu
  • The Tarmac Tales
  • Volare Learning To Fly
  • Dubai Diaries
  • Hellow Tomorrow
  • Brittany in Dubai
  • Memoirs of a Trolley Dolley
  • Strawberry Emirates
  • Dubai and Beyond

• ​Join this Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/EmiratesAIPstatus/ where you will meet people from literally all around the world who aspired to become Emirates cabin crew, better to surround ourselves with positive and supportive people through out this (waiting) process – trust me​

• And all of those social media accounts: YouTube, Instagram, you name it.. I actually search them through the hash tags, it’s always fun to see updates from many peoples about their experiences of working as a cabin crew or the process on becoming one. One of my favorite is the famous and stunning Lisa Single for make-up and hair-do tutorials. For some Q&A, you can look up for Mahdia Beauty

---

THE REQUIREMENTS

• At least 21 years of age at the time of joining

We have to serve alcohol on duties, that’s why the minimum age of 21 years old is one of the requirements. But since the process of the application sometimes takes up to 5 months, it is possible for you to start applying or coming to an OD even though you’re still 20 years old, just make sure that you are turning 21 in approximately 4 or 5 months (or by the time of joining). For example, if your 21st birthday is on September, then you are welcome to apply on May or June

• Arm reach of 212 cm while standing on tiptoes

You will have to take off your shoes for this test. For girls, while standing on tiptoes with one arm reach the minimum height of 212 cm, they are very strict about it, because you will have to be able to reach the emergency equipment on all types of aircraft. While for guys, you should reach 212 cm without tiptoeing. If your height is around 160 cm (or 5.2 feet) I believe you can reach 212 cm easily. If you aren’t as tall, don’t be disheartened, you have time to practice and stretch (yoga or swimming is good for your health too!)

• High school graduate (Grade 12)

You should at least graduated your high school and have the original certificate of Grade 12, which should be provided on your Final Interview. I once read a girl who made it to Final Interview without finishing her Grade 12, she was invited to Emirates Head Quarter at her hometown to take a specific test and eventually got her Final Approval, but I have never heard such case before, so I don’t know if it is still applicable or not

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Since you will be working with mix of different nationalities from all over the world, English is still the international languages they will be using during the OD, AD, FI, training, and of course while working. So, speaking and understanding English fluently is very important. Fluency in other language of course would be your advantage, but you can only declare it if you are 100% sure that you are able to read, write, and speak the language fluently

• No visible tattoos while in Emirates Cabin Crew uniform (cosmetic and bandage coverings are not permitted)

You shouldn’t have a visible tattoo while wearing Emirates Cabin Crew uniform. You all know how the uniform looks like, so tattoos on hand, leg, or neck is not allowed. They are also very strict about it and the recruiters will be sending home those who have visible tattoos on the red areas (picture below). For guys, since you’re wearing pants, tattoos on leg are still fine.

• Physically & medically fit to meet the Emirates Cabin Crew requirements

Being a cabin crew is a very physically demanding kind of job, therefore Emirates have a Medical Forms (and it’s a really long one!!) for us to fulfill once we get our Golden Call. They want to know about any sorts of surgery or any medications you had ever taken or you take at the moment. Please be honest about this, if they found out later, it would cost you your job (immediate termination of the contract) and you will be sent home on your own expenses.

Those are the requirements listed on the Emirates website. Additionally, it would be an advantage if you are fluently in other languages or if you have previous working experience in service and hospitality industry. Of course you are expected to have natural ability to provide excellent service within a team environment and capable to work with different nationalities.

Chasing The Dream

Whenever I got a chance to travel ever since I was a child, which unfortunately was not that many experiences, there’s always one thing that captured my eye ~ a flight attendant.

The smile, impeccable make-up, classy low bun, perfectly-ironed uniforms, and courteous posture. ​I have always thought that ​it must be a great job, traveling (read:​ working) and at the same time getting paid for it. I know there are so many perks and benefits from this job, however there are also many of not-so-glamorous side from it, but still it is a job and we always have to do our best and try looking for the good things in it :)

So I have always wanted to try to pursue this career, only that my vision needs correction, and since one of the requirements is having normal vision (meaning without correction), so I put the dream aside and just going on with my 9-5 job – well, sometimes up to 7 or 8, lol

Until one time, I felt ​that I really needed to try this, or I would feel sorry, not even to give it a shot is already a big failure itself.

It is always much better to try your best and fail, than not trying at all. Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try…

Then I decided to go to an Open Day of a Singaporean carrier, only to be eliminated at the one-to-one interview. After that I didn’t really feel like I want to try going to this kind of interview anymore and just decided that it’s not my destiny after all.

One year later, when I felt really frustrated about some random things and vented it all out to a friend, he out of the blue suggested me to try applying to this one of the big 3 Gulf carriers. Which I found it’s a very ridiculous idea. Few days later, I found myself looking up and gathering some information about it, apparently it is pretty promising and interesting indeed.

So I decided to apply online, submitting my resume and photos (p.s. not professionally taken-at all, even I uploaded a selfie on it ~ please don’t do that). Without knowing what to expect, I got an invitation by email 10 days later of a recruitment event that will be held nearby at the end of the month.

Since then, I ran around, preparing myself for whatever it would be on the D day – by reading up blogs and trying to find out what to expect, how should I dress, what should I bring, and many other details I could never think of. From buying a red lipstick, white formal shirt (turns out that I’ve never had one!), black court shoes, until the smallest detail like pearl earrings and red nail polish. Not to mention my schedule was also very packed that time with work and dance practices. Luckily I managed to do everything together at the same time, talking about multi-tasking girls ;)

The next post I will give you detailed information about the Open Day, Assessment Day, and Final Interview.